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Afterthelastthreeweeks ofactualdates—in public—I feel like we’ve gotten to know each other again. It has taken restraint on both our parts to not strip each other down and take things too far.Maybe this time, we’ll get it right.
I have fallen in love with him. There’s no point in running from it anymore. I love his drive and ambition, and how he supports me in my goals and dreams. I’m up for President in the next few months, and he’s excited that I’m doing big things. He claims I am his missing piece, but really, he is mine.
Dylan’s work party is tonight and he invited me to come as his plus one. Jason was able to take the boys a day early so I could attend. I am so grateful that he is such a great dad, and after all these years, a great friend. I told him about how I was seeing Dylan again, and not that I was looking for his blessing or anything, but he encouraged me to see where it goes.
I’m still getting ready downstairs when there's a knock at the door. I left it unlocked so he could let himself in. “It's open!” The front door opens and closes, but instead of Dylan’s voice, I hear Ethan's. “Oh, love, you lookravishing!”
“Ethan! What are you doing here? Dylan will be here any minute and I’m not ready!”
He dusts off invisible lint from his suit jacket. “Well, darling, Dylan asked me to pick you up. Something about running late and not trusting rideshares. Anyway, I’m dropping you off at his party. I have an event ten minutes from there first thing in the morning, so I was going to be in the area anyway. Didn’t he text you?”
I check my phone. “Shoot, it was on silent!”
Dylan: Hey, gorgeous. Sorry for the last minute change of plans, but I’ll need to meet you at the party. I texted Ethan and he said he can take you. Hope that’s ok?
I look back to Ethan. “Sorry, I didn't see it ‘til now. I’ll be ready in five.”
Ethan looks me up and down and raises an eyebrow. “In that?You look like you’re about to attend a funeral. Come on, march your sexy ass upstairs, we are going to find you something that is just one level above naked. You need to get laid tonight, and there’s no way it’s going to happen in whatever the hell you want to callthis.” He gestures to my dress and I laugh as he drags me by the wrist up the stairs. We sift through my closet and he pulls out a deep v-neck black dress and forces it into my hands. “This one. Ok, I’ll be downstairs.”
I get dressed and look in the mirror. The dress is sexy enough to turn heads, while still being work appropriate. I am positive Dylan will not be able to keep his hands to himself tonight. I smile at the thought. As I head downstairs it feels like theShe’s All Thatscene when she comes down for prom. Ethan tells me with his usual sexy grin, “Yes!You look incredible, Em! Are you sure this Dylan guy is the one, because if not, I’ll gladly take his place.”
“Oh come on. You would throw away your single life of hot guys and girls in your bed every night?” I can’t keep a straight face as we both crack up. Ethan will probably be a perpetual bachelor. If he ever settles down, they will be one lucky woman…or man. He was dating Chris for a while. Unfortunately, he did a number on Ethan—even if he won't admit it. Three days after their break up, Ethan had a gorgeous woman on his arm at some gala, but I know he was still hung up on his ex.
We drive to the party, singing along to our favorite 90s and 00s pop the whole way. I’m genuinely happy—it’s been a while since I've felt this way. I have amazing friends, my kids are awesome, I am up for promotion at work, and have a smokin’ hot boyfriend. For the first time in a long time, everything feels in sync.
As we pull up to the swanky hotel, Ethan takes my hand, sensing I am a little nervous. “You know, love, I was kidding about the getting laid part. I mean, sure, you deserve all the orgasms in the world—but don’t sleep with him if you feel you have to because of some arbitrary timeline that society dictates. If you want to, go for it, but I think he’ll be fine either way. His dick won’t fall off.”
Ethan always knows exactly what to say. “Well, don’t wait up!” I give him a quick peck on the cheek before I exit the car and close the door behind me.
He rolls down the window to reply, “Oh, don’t worry about me, I have my own date tonight! Have fun!”
I walk inside and pull out my phone to text Dylan, to let him know Ethan just dropped me off. As I type out the message, I feel the air change around me before two arms wrap me from behind. The scruff of his five o’clock shadow tickles my neck as he kisses me softly. “You look good enough to eat.” His voice is low and rumbly.The dress is definitely doing its job.
Putting my phone back in my purse, I turn in his arms and move my hands up his chest and behind his neck. He wore my favorite black rim glasses tonight, and damn,helooks good enough to eat! It’s nothing compared to the way he is looking at me though, with so much hunger in his eyes—I’m already so turned on from his gaze alone. He pulls me closer until I am completely flush with him.Maybe the dress was a bad idea. “You don’t look half bad, yourself, Mr. Alexander.” I pull him to me until our lips meet, and there's definitely a growl as he kisses me.I’m in trouble, he’s one step away from finding a dark corner. I pull back. “Come on, we need to get to your party.”
“Fuck. The. Party.” He’s completely serious. “I would rather spend the evening just you and me.” He corrects himself, “Not for that—well, I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep my hands off you in that dress—but let’s go have a night on the town instead.”
“You need to make an appearance. Come on, it could be fun! Like the old days.” I shimmy out of his hold, which earns me one of his boyish grins as lets me go.
He takes my hand, and I squeeze it three times. Bringing our interlocked hands to his lips, he replies, “Fine, but we’ll leave wheneverIwant.”
“Deal.” While I haven't told him I love him—not with words at least—I honestly do. It’s bigger than that though, I have fallenin lovewith him again. I haven’t felt this way about a man, since, well…him. This time it’s different. He’s different.
We walk inside where there are dozens of round tables draped in white linens, set for dinner. He leans down and in a quiet voice asks, “Would you mind grabbing us a couple of drinks? I need to say hi to a guy over there and I want an out for the conversation. When you come up,pleasetell me that you need to speak to me about something,anything.” We used to play this game at events when we were younger. I smile up at him and nod, before heading over to the bar.
The bartender addresses me and I order two gin and tonics, mine with extra lime. The night feels nostalgic, so why not keep it going. I take our drinks and make my way over to him. As I get closer, there are four men standing with him, and a woman to his right who is laughing way too hard at something he said, obviously flirting with him. I don’t feel any pang of jealousy. I also don’t feel any hurt. I feel…nothing.Huh, that’s weird.It isn’t weird though, I know how much he cares about me, and I am not worried about a beautiful woman shamelessly flirting with my man. I get to go home with him.
He has a huge smile that reaches his eyes when he spots me approaching.See, he’s mine.I hand him his drink, and with his free hand he guides me by the small of my back to join their conversation. “Everyone, this is Emma. Emma, this is Bryan, Tony, Rodger, and”—he addresses the woman—“sorry, I don’t remember your name?”
She lets out something that's a cross between a scoff and a laugh, “Isabelle. Hello, Emma.” My name on her tongue is laced with resentment.Oooh, she doesnotlike me.
Dylan ignores her and continues talking to the men. “Emma is VP at a literary agency, she’s absolutely brilliant.”
Rodger asks, “Literary agency? Like book publishing?”
“Yes, we offer full-service for authors including representation, editing, and marketing.”
Dylan adds, “She is up for promotion, actually. About to take over the book world.”
