“Doesn’t she?” Tobin smiles at her, walking over to straighten the left shoulder strap. “You look divine, Dani Girl. See, aren’t you glad I persuaded Vicky to change the venue? If you’d just gone to that diner, you wouldn’t have had an excuse to put on a pretty dress. Now you get to eat fancy food and look super sexy doing it.”
She runs a hand down the skirt part, a nervous habit she’s had the whole time I’ve known her. “Yep. Thanks for that.”
I’m not sure how grateful she really is. I don’t care where we eat. Sure, I was looking forward to loaded fries and a shake, but fancy-ass food can be good too. And this Vicky chick’s uncle owns the restaurant or something, so the food will be affordable with the discount she’ll get.
“The shoes comfortable enough?” Jed asks, staring at her like he’s assessing a piece of art.
“Yeah, they’ll work.” Dani tips on the heels, then looks at me. “These belong to Nix and they’re a size too small, but I can always slip them off under the table, right?”
“No,” Tobin tells her at the exact same time I say, “Of course you can.”
She grins at me, then gives Tobin a pointed look.
“Oh, what does he know.” Tobin flicks his hand at me, then spins to eye me up and tut. “Okay, fine, so the man can dress himself. But promise me that if you slip those shoes off, you remember to put them back on and don’t walk out of the restaurant holding them.”
“I won’t, Dad.” She laughs, patting his arm.
Tobin rolls his eyes, then pulls her into a hug. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks for helping me pick out the dress.”
“Anytime. I love shopping with you. Wait until you visit me in New York. We’re gonna shop ’til we drop.”
Jed groans. “You’re gonna make me broke, baby.”
Tobin laughs. “Oh, you love me.”
Jed’s smile turns soft and mushy as he gazes at his boyfriend, and it’s clear to everyone that yes, he is very much in love.
I wonder what it must be like to feel that. Skimming my eyes over Dani once more, I get a hint and then have to give myself asharp kick in the ass, because I shouldn’t be feeling anything but platonic friendship for this stunning, kind, interesting woman.
“Shall we go?” I rush out the words, suddenly desperate to get out of here and to the restaurant.
She can meet Rhys, who Peters assures me is the nicest guy and sounds like a really good match for Dani. Man, I hope so.
I think that while my insides surge with rebellion.
Clenching my jaw, I walk to the elevator, figuring Dani’s not gonna wanna use the stairs in those heels.
“You read my mind,” she murmurs, straightening her jacket. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” I smile down at her. “You really do look great.”
She snorts. “Yeah, I don’t know. As much as I love this dress, a big part of me would feel a million times more comfortable in my cargo pants and combat boots, you know?”
“Yeah, well, you’d look awesome in that getup too.” I laugh, then run my eyes down her body as the elevator doors ping open. “But, girl, that dress.”
“I know, right?” She laughs. “I’m not even wearing a bra.” She winces, resting a hand over her chest while my insides go nuts all over again. “Just promise me that if something slips out, you’ll let me know.”
Shit. The imagery in my head right now is threatening an immediate hard-on. I swallow and nod, croaking out, “Yeah, of course. I’ve got your back.”
And her front, apparently.
Fuck.
Letting her step ahead of me, I lightly rest my hand on her lower back before reminding myself that she’s not my date.
I quickly tuck my hand into my pocket and lean against the elevator wall, trying to create some distance between us.
