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I take in a deep breath. “It’s on the list and honestly, I feel like it’s something I need to do. What if Mace is right and Zayn is my kryptonite? Maybe I need to explore my options a bit more even if I really don’t want to. I’m definitely nervous.” Checking my watch, I realize I have only about thirty minutes left until he comes to pick me up.
Mason must’ve checked the time too because he jumps up from the couch and says, “Well, it’s settled. Autumn, it’s only one date, not a wedding.” He looks over to Natalie. “Let’s get our Cinderella ready for the ball!”
Natalie clasps her hands together in excitement. “Yay!” she squeals.
“Okay guys, follow me. I definitely need help picking out an outfit.”
Mason looks me up and down and grabs my hand. “Oh yes, you really do.”
After about twenty minutes of me modeling different outfits, we all agree on a little black dress that I haven’t worn since one of my first dates with Liam. “I can’t even believe this still fits me,” I tell them.
“You look damn good too, girl!” Natalie says.
“Autumn has always been known to pull off any outfit,” Mason says winking at me.
“Thanks, guys. I haven’t felt like myself in a while so this is bringing up my confidence a lot. Thank you.” I look at myself in the mirror. Natalie comes over with a pair of jeweled stilettos Liam bought for me in Greenwich Village. Mason hands me a pair of earrings, also from Liam.
“Wow,” I say, putting on the shoes and earrings. “So much of my stuff came from Liam. He was definitely trying to dress me up more than I ever realized.”
Mason gives me a big, bear hug. “Oh Autumn, remind me and we’ll take you on a shopping date soon. You deserve it. After losing your sister and getting a divorce all within a few months, you need some retail therapy, my love.”
“Not sure how much we can afford on our salaries,” I say to Mason.
“I’ve got some money saved for these types of emergencies.” He winks at me.
“Emergencies, huh?” I ask.
“Yes, boo. It’s an emergency because you haven’t treated yourself to something in who knows how long, and as one of your long-time best friends, I can’t allow it. It’s an emergency.”
“Fair point,” I agree.
Taking a final look in the mirror, I hear a knock on the door. “That’s him. You sure I look okay?”
“Breathtakingly gorgeous!” Mason says.
“Yes, girl,” Natalie agrees. “You’re a babe in that dress. He probably will want to take it off you the minute he sees it.”
I wave off her comment and head to the door. I open it to find a tall, attractive man with bright blue eyes.
“Damn, you must be Autumn,” he says.
“Yup, that’s me. Adam, right?”
“You got it, little miss.” He smiles and something about it feels untrustworthy.
“I’m just about ready,” I say, taking note of his suit and tie. Thank goodness I didn’t wear jeans. He compliments how nice I look, and I tell him the same before inviting him in to meet Mason and Natalie.
As he chats with them, I recognize that suit. It’s the same one Liam wore on that day in the coffee shop—when I found his divorce papers.
Adam interrupts my thoughts and asks, “So, you ready, beautiful?”
Brushing my hesitation away, I respond, “Yes. I’ll grab my coat and bag, and we’ll head out.” I turn toward my friends and wave. “Please lock up when you leave. We’ll see you guys at the party tonight.”
“See ya,” they say, waving us out the door.
Heading out to his car, I notice it’s a Porsche. His eyes meet mine and he smiles. Something tells me he’s hoping I comment on the nice car, but I don’t. He opens the passenger door for me, but his eyes don’t leave my body until he shuts the door. I buckle my seatbelt as a chill shoots down my spine. As he puts the car in reverse, he says, “So, nice car I got, huh?”
Ew, gross.I nod my head, mustering a fake smile. “Definitely,” I say, shifting in my seat. I can’t help but think about how much I’d rather be in Zayn’s beat-up old truck right now.
