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“It’s not that easy,” I said defensively.
“I didn’t say it was easy. I presented you with your options.” She scooted closer and took one of my hands in hers. “If you don’t grab the brass ring with him soon, you run the risk of staying in limbo forever. I don’t want that for you, boo.”
“I don’t want that either,” I reluctantly agreed.
She clapped her hands together. “Okay, good. So, we’re going to pull out all the stops tonight. You’re going to look hot as fuck and be yourself. He’ll realize how lucky he is that you’ve given him as many chances as you have, and the two of you are gonna be a thing forevermore.” She grinned. “I just know it.”
I was so lucky I had Penny in my corner. I wouldn’t know what I’d do without her unyielding optimism and support.
---
“He’s here!” I yelled when Chris knocked on the door at seven.
“Hold still. I’m almost done. He can wait,” she said as she held the top of my head to keep me from squirming. I kept my eyes closed as she patted my eyelids with a soft makeup brush. My body vibrated with anticipation as she finished. “There. Done.”
She clicked her makeup box closed, and I looked at my bathroom mirror to inspect her work. “You are a miracle worker,” I said, noticing how she contoured my face to accentuate my best features. I knew enough about makeup to do my own most days, but she had a knack for it and knew how to take things to the next level.
“You’re gorgeous,” she said, organizing her supplies back into her makeup bag. “Your shoes are in your room. I can let him in if you want.”
I nodded. “Yes, please.” I grabbed her arm before she left the bathroom. “Thank you so much for this. And for all your support through everything. No matter what happens, I’m glad I have you in my life.”
“Aww.” She bent down and hugged me. “That’s so sweet. I’m glad I have you in my life too.” She blew out a breath. “All right. Time to release you to your mister, sister.” She winked and walked out of the bathroom.
I stared at myself in the mirror. The top half of my dress was black, and the long skirt was an indigo blue. I decided on brown sandals because I wasn’t sure where we were going, but it was beginning to grow warmer in the evenings lately.
We’d lightly curled my hair and then brushed out the curls, giving me a voluminous look. This was more than I usually did for dates and special occasions, but I wanted to take this date seriously like Penny had suggested and give it my all.
“Hey, Penny. What are you doing here?” I heard Chris say from around the corner.
I stayed back, wanting to see how he would react to Penny being here. Did he want to keep us a secret, or was it okay to tell my closest friend about us?
“Helping Sav get ready for your date,” she answered truthfully.
He hummed thoughtfully. I could hear the smirk on his face. “How does she look? I hope you didn’t put her lips on her cheek.”
I heard a smack, probably Penny slapping his arm. “She’s gorgeous. You’re going to lose your shit when you see her.”
He chuckled. “I believe that.” He was quiet for a moment. “What do you think about this? Me and Sav?”
My heart fluttered at that question.
“I think it’s about damn time,” she said, making me snort.
I walked out of the bathroom and through my bedroom, leaning against the door frame once Chris was within eyesight. He glanced up and over Penny’s shoulders, and the amused smile he’d had on his face slowly slipped away.
He wore a casual suit and had his hair styled back. He’d put as much effort into his appearance as I had, ditching his usual jeans and t-shirt look. He’d trimmed his beard to perfect five o-clock shadow, making him look like he could have crawled right out of GQ magazine.
His gaze roved down my front and back to my eyes. He visibly swallowed. “Wow, Sav,” he started, his voice thick before he cleared it. “You look… amazing.”
“Thank you,” Penny said in a sing-song tone.
She and I laughed, but Chris only smiled. His gaze had grown intense while he stared at me. I closed the distance between us, ready to hug him in greeting. Once I was close enough, he grabbed me around the waist and hauled me to him, kissing my neck and sending tingles throughout my body.
I was embarrassed he did that in front of Penny, so I placed my hands on his shoulders and pushed back. He released me. “Sorry. I didn’t want to mess up your lipstick this early, but I needed to get my mouth on you.”
My cheeks heated at that response.
“Okay, looks like that’s my cue to go,” Penny announced.
