He walks past me and waits against the wall. “I was reminded about a surprise party tonight.”
My eyes go wide, and I glance over at Blaire. “Already? I swear it was?—”
“You’ve been very occupied,” she whispers, nodding toward Nick.
I turn back to him.
“Would you like to ride with me?”
“Wouldn’t that be out of your way?” I ask, lifting a brow.
He licks his kissable lips. “Never for you.”
Blaire scoffs, watching us. “Next autumn, if I’m single, I’m quitting Cozy Coffee and joining a convent.”
I finish his coffee, putting a lid on top.
“One extra-spicypumpkin spicelatte,” I say, handing it over to him, our fingers brushing. “See you tonight.”
Butterflies take over.
“Can’t wait. Pick you up at five.”
He leaves the coffee shop, and when my eyes scan across the dining room, every woman is swooning.
“It’s such a beautiful day,” I say out loud, and they go back to their conversations.
Blaire immediately corners me. “That’s La Perla in that box.”
“And? What’s that?” I ask, confused.
“Expensive lingerie. Thousand-dollar nightgowns.” She leads me to the back. “I want to see. Open it.”
“He saidalone,” I mutter.
“I don’t count,” she says, encouraging me. “I’m a ghost. Ooh-ooo-ooh!”
Carefully, I untie the white ribbon and slide the lid from the top. Inside is a black lace balconette bra with matching panties.
I open the note and see his handwriting.
A replacement. :)
“Damn,” she says, and I hand it to her to read. “I’m going home and putting together the same love spell that I did for you and Autumn. First, Autie finds Zane, and now you find Nick. Who will I find?”
“There’s someone out there for everyone. And”—I lower my voice to a whisper—“no one has saidanythingaboutlove. We’re just friends.”
“Hate to break it to you.This…”She returns the note to me. “This isn’t friends-with-benefits behavior, babe. I just saw the face of a man who’s falling. And look at you. Oh, you are not innocent. You’ve been lost in your head, daydreaming. I give it a month until you’re both annoyingly in love.”
“This is just a replacement.”
“Right. And I’m the Queen of England.” She shakes her head. “Hundred bucks says you’re engaged within a year.”
“You’re delulu, Blaire. Seriously, I think the incense has finally rotted your brain.”
“I’m prophetic. Mark my words. That man is yourforever.”
I smile, thinking about that. Is it even possible?
