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Chapter 18
"This is fucking ridiculous," I grumble, and yank angrily on the tie hanging loosely around my neck. The tight, navy blue material stretches awkwardly around my arms, pinching me with every slight movement I make. I know that I should be used to wearing suits by now, but I don't think I ever will be.
My brother doesn't deserve me going to this dinner tonight, let alone dressed up in a suit that cost more than I care to admit. It usually hangs in my closet, serving as a constant reminder never to go suit shopping with Oakley Hutton. The guy has a nasty habit of forgetting I'm not anywhere near as successful as him while piling dress shirt after dress shirt over his arm and waving around a black card.
I untwist the cap of my hair gel and dip two fingers in the thick, teal, goo. As I run it through the tips of my hair, there is a gentle knock on my door, followed by the sound of it opening and closing.
"You really shouldn't leave your door unlocked, Ty!"
"Like that would have stopped you from finding a way in any way," I scoff, keeping my eyes on my reflection in the vanity mirror.
The clacking of Gracie's shoes reverberates through the apartment, reminding me that she is, in fact, meeting my brother tonight. There wasn't much I could do to convince her not to come after she had all but promised my mom she would be there, so I've just kept my mouth shut and left it alone. I don’t want to stir the pot even though it will probably overflow tonight anyway.
"Aren't you going to tell me how amazing I look? I got this dress especially for you," she teases, her voice much closer now. She sends my imagination into overdrive with such a simple phrase.
I pull my fingers out of my now slicked back hair and open the door. My mouth goes dry the second I see her leaning against the doorframe, a sly smirk on her nude painted lips. The first thing I see is skin—exposed, smooth, pale, skin that shines in the low glow of the bathroom light. The gold dress fits her figure like a damn second skin. Her collarbones jut through the thin straps on her shoulders, pulling my attention to the two perky tits staring at me, taunting me as they ache for my touch.
"Fuck," I moan, and stare into her sparkling, ocean blue eyes.
Her gentle laugh is music to my ears as she pushes a curl behind her ear. "I don't think so. You owe me dinner first."
A cough crawls up my throat quickly, her silhouette blurring as my eyes water from the burn. "Do you know how to tie a tie?" I ask hopefully, swiftly changing the subject.
"Who do you think tied Oakley's?" She scoffs, moving towards me. "I think the better question is how don't you? Don't you wear one to your games? Now stand still."
Her warm breath fans across my face as she grabs the tie between her fingertips. Her small face is taut with concentration. I look down at her in complete awe. I know I should tell her that she looks gorgeous tonight, but I let the words die on my tongue when her touch lands on the ridges of my jaw.
"No." I shiver slightly when she locks eyes with me. The grey hue in them is more prominent tonight. "I don't wear one."
"You really need to shave," she murmurs ever so gently. Nodding slowly, I lean my forehead against hers. I hear her sharp intake of breath as she watches me carefully, not wanting to spook me. Then, cautiously, she stands on her toes and presses her lips softly against mine. Her hands stay on my jaw as her thumb rubs gently across my stubble.
My eyes close in response to her feathery touch. The moment we are in rests heavily on our shoulders. Until my phone rings, that is, bringing us back to reality.
"Shit," I mutter under my breath and take a much-needed step back to grab my phone off the counter. I could punch myself in the groin right about now. I can't keep letting myself get into these positions with her.
"Hello?" I clear my throat, my gaze on Gracie as I wait for the person on the other side of the call to speak. She watches me silently, begging me to drop the phone into the toilet and carry her off to my bedroom with nothing more than her heavy swallowing and lidded eyes.
"I hope you are on your way by now. We're waiting for you," Mom scolds, and I hear River shout something in the background.
"Yeah. We're almost there," I lie, my lips twitching, aching to be lifted in a smug smile. "See you soon." I shove the phone into my pocket and move towards Gracie, throwing an arm out in front of me theatrically. "After you, Gray."
She giggles and wraps her arm around mine as we walk through the doorway.
"I'm sure you're worrying over nothing. It'll be fine, Ty."
We pull into the parking lot of River's restaurant, and I'm immediately overwhelmed by the sudden need to vomit. The extravagant building annoys me as soon as we hop out of the truck. With the unnecessarily large windows and giant pillars, you would think that you are heading into something a lot more impressive than the overpriced, unoriginal corporate restaurant that you really are.
I grab her wrist, halting our movements when we reach the automatic doors. "You don't know my brother. Just be careful, okay? Promise me." She tilts her head as she stares down at her wrist before lifting her clouded gaze to mine. "Promise me."
She nods her head instantly at my words. "I promise."
Breathing out a sigh of relief, I place a firm hand on her lower back and lead us inside.
"Bateman," I mutter when we reach the tall, giraffe-like hostess, cutting her off before she has a chance to spew the same old bullshit I have heard a million times.
"Oh. Right this way, Sir." She forces a smile while she leads us through the packed restaurant.
I roll my eyes at the oversized crystal chandeliers hanging above the tables, knowing full well they look fucking tacky to every single person in this place. Yet, none of these overdressed businessmen would ever dare admit to that. What would be the point?
