“And here I was being chastised for asking about it moments ago,” Emily says, rolling her eyes.
“I didn’t know he looked likethat!”
“He’s a mechanic, right?” Em asks, and I offer her a bemused nod. “That means he’ll be good with his hands…” She winks as Warren’s door shuts down the hall.
As he approaches, my cheeks redden, burning brightly at the thought of his hands on my body. He still has a little bit of grease on his face from work, which adds to the sex-infused daydream.Did I always have a thing for mechanics and drummers, or is it just since Warren?
“All right, pizza is ordered. Hope you’re all hungry.” Warren sits. “So… who has embarrassing Chloe stories?” Both women throw their hands up to volunteer. I shove Warren’s shoulder playfully and send a warning look to my friends, who burst out laughing anyway.
CHAPTER THIRTY
“Okay, her bottles are on the counter, and they’re all measured out and ready to go… you just need to add formula. If she doesn’t finish—”
Luke stops my signing with a wave.
“Then they go in the fridge. I know, Chloe. You’ve told me… and written it all down.”Luke gestures to the binder I made that sits on the dining table.“We’ll be fine. I’ll call you if I need to, but she’ll be sleeping most of the time anyway. It’s not a big deal.”He offers me a polite grin, and I nod in agreement.
This is the most Luke and I have talked in the past week and the most familiar he has seemed since the night of my parents’ visit. Polite, willing to help, and not hiding away. Perhaps he’s dropped the mopey act and we have no reason to worry after all.Or perhaps he’s about to sneak whoever he texts constantly up to the apartment while we’re gone.
“Sorry, you’re right,”I sign.“Thank you again.”
A deal of sorts took place between Luke and Warren in exchange for babysitting tonight. I don’t know the finer details, but I know it has something to do with Luke going out with his friends next month to celebrate his birthday with no curfew. This is a massive trust exercise for all of us.
“No worries. I’ve got this.”He reaches for Willow, and though at first, I find my grasp doesn’t loosen, I do eventually let her go so I can go upstairs and change.
I hadn’t risked getting dressed before Luke came on baby duty—Willow being an adorable spewing machine. I only have about fifteen minutes before Warren told me to be ready. He hasn’t been home most of today, insisting he had things to take care of, but he told me he’d bepicking me upat seven thirty and to dress fancy-ish.
When I’d asked what fancy-ish meant, he’d sent a photo of himself in a suit jacket. I instantly made it my screensaver.Sorry, Will.Warren day to day? Handsome. Warren half naked? Achingly gorgeous. Warren in a suit? Devastating.
I pull out two options: one is a deep red velvet dress that is modest in its cleavage and length but hugs my body snuggly. The other is a short emerald green silk dress that scoops low on my chest. I text Warren a photo of them sprawled out on the bed.
CHLOE: A or B?
WARREN: You’re going to be the death of me.
CHLOE: What? I can’t choose!
WARREN: Red. It looks warmer.
CHLOE: So we’ll be outside?
WARREN: Yes.
CHLOE: This wouldn’t be so hard if you’d tell me what we’re doing!
WARREN: See you in ten minutes.
Truthfully, I actually like not knowing… it makes it feel like a real date. However, I equally like giving Warren a hard time.
I slip on the strapless bra that works best with the narrow straps of the velvet dress. I put on my black heeled boots and let my hair out of the rollers they’ve been in since my shower this morning. I did my makeup a little edgier than normal—shadowy eyelids, burnt-brown lip, and bronzer instead of my usual pink blush. My hair settles into thick waves, and I leave it down so it hits the arch of my low back at its longest point. I haven’t looked this good since… maybe ever.
I check myself out in the mirror after grabbing my leather jacket from the closet—it matches the boots and adds to the sexier look I’m going for. I’m still me under all of this, but I don’t look as… approachable. Damn, I don’t even look sunshine-y. I look like a cool girl. Like the drummer’s girlfriend. Like sex in heels.
My phone chimes as Warren buzzes into the building, giving me a polite heads-up as to his arrival. I can’t wait to see him—not just because of the suit—but because I missed him today.
As I pass Luke and Willow in the living room, a soft knock comes from the front door. Warren was right, being picked up feels more special. I open the door to his back turned, waving to someone who is getting onto the elevator across the hall.
His jacket is black, a white shirt collar pokes out over top, and it’s tailored to fit him flawlessly. I want to run my hands over his shoulders. I want to peel the jacket off him. He turns, and it’s as if I’m truly dreaming.
