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A light pink coats her cheeks. “Thank you. Ramsey says casual, but I felt like I needed to dress up a little.”
I don’t know dick about fashion, but she looks incredible. Her dress is a bright pink, and it’s some kind of wrap that ties at her waist. It hits her about midthigh, and she has these strappy sandals that lace halfway up her calf. She’s casual and dressy at the same time.
She’s sexy as fuck.
“Look at you,” she says.
“All of us guys are wearing the same thing. Khaki shorts and a polo.”
“Handsome.” She smiles, and I want to kiss her. I want to lean in and press my lips to hers and feel the tingle of anticipation that I’ve only ever felt with her.
“We should go. Do you have what you need?” I ask her.
She turns and goes back into the kitchen. She returns with her phone in one hand and the other outstretched for me. I already know it’s going to be her driver’s license, her debit card, and some cash. Two of which she won’t be needing, more than likely all three since it’s an open bar at the small reception they’re having at the Willow Tavern afterward. I don’t want to know what Ramsey and Deacon had to pay Hank to have him shut the Tavern down to the public on a Saturday night.
“Anything else?”
“Nope.” She grins. “I’m ready.” She turns and walks out of the house with me trailing behind her. I wait for her to lock the door and stroll with her to my truck, pulling open the passenger door.
“And they say chivalry is dead,” she teases. “Your future wife will appreciate your efforts, I assure you.” She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
Her comment is something we’ve teased each other about before—when we find that one person to spend the rest of our lives with. However, after last weekend, her words hit differently. I wait for her to get buckled in before I lean in and whisper, “I’m a fucking gentleman in the bedroom too.” I pull back and give her my final words. “Ladies first.” I wink and close her door. Not before I hear her small intake of breath.
Good. I need her to be as worked up as I am after seeing her in that damn dress. I take my time getting to the driver’s side of my truck. I want to give her time to catch her breath, and my cock is pressing against my zipper. I have a ten-minute drive to Willow Park, where the wedding will be held, to get my attraction to my best friend under control.
“I’ve been thinking,” she says when I finally slide behind the wheel.
This is it. She’s going to bring up the kiss, and we’re going to hash it out. It’s time to tell her I want more with her. I thought that I had more time, but if we’re doing this now, I’m going to be honest with her.
“About?” I prompt.
“I think I want to turn my spare bedroom into a reading room. Bookshelves, and a little nook area, with one of those big bean bags that take up half the room, maybe some twinkle lights.”
“Right. A reading room.” I clear my throat. “You have bookshelves for your paperbacks in there now.”
“Yeah, but they’re cheap. I’d like to have some of those open-shelf cases. The kind that are metal with wood shelves. More modern.” She chuckles. “Hold on. I know I’m confusing the hell out of you.” She grabs her phone and taps at the screen. I stop at the stoplight in the center of town, and she shows me her phone.
“Nice.”
“Yeah, I think so. I read on my Kindle mostly, but I’d love to have a place to display my paperbacks. I’m jealous of all the shelves I’ve seen others post online.”
“You have shelf envy?” I ask with a chuckle.
“Yes! That’s my goal. I’m going to redo that room. Well, after I find a new job. For now, I’m going to hold onto my meager savings in case I take a pay cut. I’m ready for something new.”
“I think you should talk to Orrin and Declan. I’m pretty sure one of them was saying they needed to hire someone for the desk.” I think it was Declan. I make a mental note to talk to both of them and see if they’re still looking to hire someone.
“Maybe,” she says, not really committing. “I’m just going to see what I can find on my own. I don’t really want a handout from your brothers.”
“It wouldn’t be a handout,” I assure her. “They need the help, and you kick ass at what you do.”
“You have to say that as my best friend.”
“No. I don’t have to say that. It’s the truth.”
“We’ll see,” she says as I pull into the park.
* * *
