–Me: Congratulations, cradle robber.
–Noah: Gotta up your game, Nicholas. Need some tips?
–Me: The day I seek relationship advice from you is the day my doctor takes me off life support. How many croissants did you get from Bobbi’s Sweet Things, slick?
For some reason, Bobbi has decided she doesn’t like Noah and refuses to let him buy croissants from her bakery. It’s been an ongoing battle for him because he’s become even more determined to get them.
–Noah: Three! Ha!
–Grant: Only because Aspen bought them for him.
–Noah: Traitor!
–Grant: Hey, she deserves the credit.
–Me: I knew it! Tell Aspen to quit buying them for him, because when Bobbi finds out, she might quit selling them to her. Dough before bros.
The limo pulls up in front of the spa Lucie mentioned.
–Me: I’m about to pick my girl up now. You all behave.
–Noah: Make an impression she’ll never forget! I have some suggestions if you need help.
Shaking my head, I put the phone away as the chauffeur opens the door. Noah’s “suggestions” are bound to get me into trouble.
I step out with the bouquet and shoot my cuffs. I walk into the lobby, which is its own world of crystal, marble and soothing music. Although Lucie called it a spa, it also offers services like hair, facials and makeup to get a woman ready for a fancy night out. I wouldn’t have thought of something like this. I make a mental note to send something nice to Lucie to thank her. Molly deserves to be pampered in every way.
Just as I’m about to speak to the receptionist, Molly appears. I turn, then stare, feeling like somebody’s blowing millions of bubbles into my heart.
She glows like the sun. The brilliant smile on her beautiful face makes me grin in return. A long scarlet dress with a sexy side slit that climbs to mid-thigh wraps around her curves like a dream, and her wide eyes shine like the finest emeralds. The stylist curled her hair, which now bounces around her shoulders. A stunning set of diamonds hangs from her ears and neck—probably Lucie’s selection.
I’m losing my heart to Molly…all over again.
“How do I look?” She spreads her arms, the gesture full of shy expectation.
You look so good I want to hold you and dance under the moon. Then I want to kiss you and peel you out of that dress. Love you until you come over and over again, your body quivering under mine. “Perfect.”
She presses her lips together for a moment, like she can’t believe it, then smiles like she’s trying to power the entire city.
I remember the bouquet. “Here. For you.”
Her eyes widen in delight. “Thank you!”
She looks at me like I’ve given her the world. For another such expression, I would lay it at her feet.
“Can we swap out your jewelry?” I ask.
Her smile loses some wattage as she runs her fingers over the stones around her neck. “You don’t like it?”
“Lucie has excellent taste, but I actually brought something for the evening.”
I signal one of the receptionists, and she takes us to an airy resting room with a huge lounger and an armchair. Golden tiles and satiny ivory wallpaper enhance the feminine feel of the chamber, and a huge vanity with a spotless mirror sits against the wall to our left.
I have her sit in the lounger as I pull out boxes with the pastel-blue Sebastian Jewelry logo on the lids. These are the pieces I’ve commissioned over the years.
Molly looks at them curiously, and I smile. “They’re one-of-a-kind pieces for a one-of-a-kind girl.”
The loveliest shade of rose colors her cheeks. I gently pull off the chandelier earrings, then replace them with drop earrings made with strings of diamonds that end with single teardrop-shaped rubies. She tilts her head to study them better, then smiles up at me. “They’re gorgeous. Thank you.”
