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I wrap my arms around his neck in a tight hug. “Thank you so much. Seriously, you don’t know how much this means to me.”
“Anytime.”
“So, meet me at my house on Saturday at five. There’s a cocktail hour before dinner starts. You know the drill. Suit and tie, the whole works.”
“I’ll be there.”
“Thank you. This means a lot.” Excitedly, I clap my hands. “I’m off to buy a new dress. I’ll talk to you later.” One problem solved. Everything else will have to wait.
* * *
I put on a pair of sapphire earrings and take a step back. Hair is on point. Makeup is flawless. Dress is on fire. A small pang of guilt hits my stomach. Maybe I should have at least asked Ledger if he wanted to be my date? I’d just hate for him to be surrounded by people with their judgmental looks because he’s a mechanic and doesn’t wear a suit and tie everyday. No one should be subjected to that. So I’m actually doing him a favor. But also, we haven’t spoken to each other all week.
A knock on my front door startles me. I glance at the time and it’s 5 p.m. on the dot. I hustle down the stairs and open the door to greet Trey, only it’s not Trey. Ledger stands before me in a dark gray Henley with the sleeves rolled up, ripped jeans and black combat boots. I swear somehow he got hotter in the past week. And I suddenly have the desire to climb him like a tree.
“Wow. You look…” his gaze wanders from my head to my bare feet and back up, “breathtaking.”
“Ledger. What are you doing here?” I nervously tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear, needing to busy myself.
“I wanted to come and apologize for everything that happened at my parents’ house. I’m sorry. It became an awkward situation for everyone, especially for you in the middle. I know I should have said this earlier, but—”
I rest my hand on his arm. “It’s not your fault. The situation is complicated, and no one knew that was going to happened.”
“I know. I was hoping I could make it up to you, but by the way you’re dressed, it looks like you already have plans tonight?”
This dress is too fancy for anything casual, so I’ll go with the truth or half-truth. “I have this charity thing my mom puts on every year.”
“Oh okay. You free tomorrow?”
His lips curve up into a half smile that instantly melt my panties. “Definitely. I would love that.”
The rumble of a vehicle engine causes both of us to turn around. A black Escalade pulls into my driveway behind my SUV.
FML. This can’t be happening.
The car door opens and a shiny, black Oxford shoe hits the pavement, followed by another one. The door slams shut, and Trey removes his aviator sunglasses and hangs them on the collar of his pristine white button down.
Ledger’s glare turns to me. “What’s he doing here?” When I hesitate, he turns to Trey just as he strolls up the walkway to my house. “What are you doing here?” he asks Trey.
With a smug smile on his lips, he answers, “I’m her date.”
“You’re her date. To the charity event I knew nothing about. We don’t talk for a week, and you replace me with him? I can’t do this. I’m out.” Ledger shoulders past Trey, almost knocking him down, and storms toward his truck parked in the driveway.
“Ledger! Wait! It’s not what you think.”
FIFTEEN
ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID
Ledger
Bare feet slap on the cement behind me, but I’m not in the mood for waiting. Before I can open the door to my truck, a warm, soft hand on my forearm stops me.
“Please, hear me out,” she pleads.
I pull my arm away and her hand drops to her side. “Hear you out about what? That you asked another guy to be your date?” I sneer.
“It’s not like that.” Her shoulders deflate.
