She lifted a delicate silver chain to my neck, fastening the clasp while I brought my fingertips to the row of tiny diamantes hanging just below my collarbones.
I smiled a little and turned around when she was done. “Thank you, again, for doing all of this.”
“Anytime,” she beamed before looping her arm around mine as we walked from her room.
The black stilettos I picked out from my own closet were waiting on the sofa beside a silver clutch bag. I only ever wore the heels once but managed to walk in them just fine, so long as I focused on staying upright.
“What are your plans for the night?” I asked as I slipped on the shoes and did up the small buckles on the ankle straps.
Aiden called her earlier on in the day letting her know he would be drinking with friends tonight, which she genuinely seemed okay with. Like she was looking forward to not spending an evening in each other’s pockets again.
Love-struck Kira from a few months ago would’ve been shocked.
Kira motioned to her oversized T-shirt and pajama shorts, sunk down into the sofa, pulled a tub of cool whip into her lap, and nodded to the TV. “Raging party. Can’t you tell?”
I chuckled and patted the top of her messy bun. “Okay, well, don’t make yourself sick eating the whole tub.”
“Oh, I’m definitely doing that now,” she grinned.
I checked the time on my phone, breathing in a shaky breath as nine o’clock loomed closer by three minutes, and then slipped my phone into the tiny bag.
It was just a birthday party.
Hosted by a Mafia boss and his wife.
I had been to plenty of birthdays before.
Not braless—
“Okay, I’m going,” I said, forcing myself to smile to trick myself into being excited and not terrified. It was almost working too.
Kira popped up onto her knees and leaned against the back of the sofa. “Have fun!”
“I’ll try.” I looped the strap of the bag over my shoulder and checked the dress was sitting in place.
“Tell Dean I said hi.” She wagged her eyebrows.
“Goodbye, Kira.” I rolled my eyes, even though the thought of him seeing me like this sent my heart thundering against my ribcage, and then headed for the front door. Relying on the adrenaline coursing through my veins to get me downstairs.
I should’ve had a glass of something before I left. At least to give me a little more courage before I walked out into the night air.
The temperature was a lot cooler tonight, considering we were still midway through summer, and caused goosebumps to scatter across my skin while I waited just inside. Peeping through a gap in the front doors, I squeezed the tip of my finger between the thumb and forefinger of my other hand, waiting in anticipation for that all too familiar sound of the Cadillac’s engine.
And then, right as the time flicked to nine, a deep rumbling came from down the street, sending my nerves into a near frenzy.
“Just breathe,” I whispered as I shook out my hands, taking a moment to compose myself before I opened the front door.
That composure was fragile and brief, and quickly slipped the second the car pulled up to the curb; the second Dean climbed out of the car and began the walk up the short path to the apartment. Dressed in an all-black three-piece suit, going tieless with several buttons left undone from the collar of his shirt, he hadn’t looked up yet as he fixed the cuffs of his jacket.
I was seeing him with fresh eyes.
He was handsome.
As if I didn’t know that already.
I quietly cleared my throat and Dean glanced up, brushing a hand over his combed back, black hair. One stubborn strand fell loose as his eyes landed on me. For a split second, his gaze remained indifferent, before realization struck and his brows rose as his eyes did so over me. Until his foot caught on the sidewalk, and he scuffed the bottom of his shoe in the subtlest of stumbles.
I might’ve smiled if I wasn’t so freaking nervous.
