She dodged out of my reach, giggling. “Accepting, of course. You now have a dinner date with my brother. You’re welcome.” She handed me my phone. “Now... grab a coat. We’re gonna go find you something sexy to wear.”
Before Icould even freak out about the prospect, my crazy and mostly evil friend was dragging me out the door.
Shopping was right up there with getting a root canal on my list of favorite things to do, but the brightness of Addison’s smile kept me from complaining too loudly at the onslaught of cutesy outfits she kept loading my arms with. My friend had her heart set on more than shopping, though. AfterI finally agreed on an ensemble, she whisked me away to the hair salon, followed immediately by a trip to get facials.
“This is too much,” I tried to tell her more than once.
She shushed me, and reminded me that I’d promised to let her help.
“I meant with the trial,” I said.
“Oh honey, that case is the least messed up part of your life. Let me help you with everything.”
Offended but unableto argue with her since she spoke the truth, I reluctantly gave in. By the time six p.m. rolled around, I was standing in front of Addison’s full-length mirror, staring at a stranger. I wore a brown suede dress that hugged and enhanced every curve, paired with a matching jacket and my cowboy boots (the boots were Addison’s way of proving she could negotiate). Nothing shy of witchcraft could explainwhat the professional makeup artist had done to my face, but if my eyes were any smokier, they’d probably give me cancer. My hair was styled in some half up-half down do with a complex braid and big, soft curls, making me feel like I was on my way to prom.
“He’s taking me to dinner,” I said. “He probably didn’t even mean for it to be a date.”
“Right, because he’s taken you to dinner alone before,”Addison replied.
“He probably wants to discuss the case. He’s going to show up and see me dressed like this and things are gonna get awkward fast.”
“Trust me, when Ashey sees you in that dress, he’s gonna back you up against the wall, slide his hand up the hem, and slip those undies right off of you.”
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she shuddered. We both did.
“What kind ofsmut books have you been reading, Addie?” I asked, appalled.
“Yeah, gross, scratch that. I can’t even entertain the thought of you and my brother having sexual sexy time. It’s worse than my parents.”
“But youcanentertain the thought of some man doing that to me who isn’t your brother?” I challenged.
She raised a hand to her mouth. “In my defense, I was actually imagining Jake.”
“Backingme up against a wall and removing my panties?” I asked, wanting to have a little fun with my clearly flustered friend. “Or removing Asher’s panties? Because that takes this to a whole new level.”
“No! Ew! Gross!” Addison stomped her foot in frustration, and I couldn’t help but dissolve into a fit of laughter. “Ohmigod, I hate you so much right now.”
I nodded. “I know. But it’s so easy to messwith you when you’re like this.”
She waved her hand in dismissal. “Whatever, Satan’s spawn. I’m trying to reassure you that you look beautiful and my brother is going to love your outfit... not so much the boots, but everything else.”
I let her snarky comment about my boots go and asked, “What if he just wants to go for burgers or something?” Couldn’t she see there were a million ways this couldturn out horribly?
“Then he’ll change plans. Why don’t you trust me, Dylan?”
“I do, I just...” I didn’t trust myself. Before I could get that out, though, there was a knock on the door.
“Addie? Dylan?” Asher called out.
My stomach clenched. “I think I have to go to the bathroom.”
“No you don’t. You’re not climbing out the bathroom window and escaping.” She turned and called out, “We’ll beright there, Ashey. Have a seat.”
I would have loved to lie and say that wasn’t my plan, but Addison knew me far too well for that. With no escape route, I took a deep breath and looked back at my reflection.
“You can do this,” Addison said, squeezing my shoulders before she led me out to the living room.
Asher was still wearing his work suit, which made me feel a little better about beingso dressed up. He stood when we entered, his eyes widening as he looked me over. “Wow, Dylan, you look... amazing.”
