Her gorgeous face lit up my screen before I had a chance to text her back. Dani might have given me Nessa’s number, but she hadn’t snapped a picture of Nessa at Soren and Clarke’s housewarming party. One where she was mid-laugh and if I squinted hard enough, I could just make out the smudge of mustard in the corner of her lips.
I hadn’t been able to resist.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” she answered. “Where are you?”
“Antiquing.”
“You’reantiquing?”
“Yes. Why is that so surprising?”
My eyes landed on the two electric-blue trellises I’d made the trek for. They would fit perfectly in the new beds I had just bought the supplies to build, although the construction would most likely have to wait until my next off day. My sister’s mental health took precedence over a few planter boxes.
“It’s not, now that I think about,” she said. “Surprises seem to be your default. I feel like I learn something new about you every time we talk or I talk to somebody about you.”
That last bit brought a smile to my lips. I probably looked like an idiot, grinning madly while I pushed a cart up and down the aisles of the Mayfield Antique Mall.
“Oh, so you’ve been talking about me.”
“That’s not what I— You know I don’t mean likethat.”
“Like what?” I pressed.
“You— You’re infuriating.”
“So you keep telling me.” I tucked the phone against my ear to pick up a tin rooster. Matty was going to hate that; it was perfect.
“Don’t change the subject,” she scolded. Damn, I loved it when she used her stern teacher voice. She could teach me a thing or two any day of the week. Or maybe bend me over and spank—
“Let’s discuss the benefit thing.”
My jaw tensed. On the one hand, I would love nothing more than to spend the evening with Nessa in my arms, especially if it meant seeing her in some incredible, hip-hugging gown. On the other hand, I hated these kinds of functions. It wasn’t just the dress code that bothered me, but rather the overall spectacle of the event. Wouldn’t it make a lot more sense to just donate the money spent on organizing a charity gala to the charity organization itself?
“I don’t know,” I told her.
“What don’t you know?” she demanded. “Ryan’s law firm is sponsoring the event. He and Kaylani will be there, along with all your teammates. How’s it going to look if we don’t go?”
She had a point. As much as I wanted to make up some last-minute excuse and spend the night on my sofa binge-watching reruns ofTrue Blood, it made sense for us to be there.
“Fine.”
“Great. I guess I can tell Kaylani that I’m free to go dress shopping this weekend then, and—”
“I have one condition, though.”
Her hesitation made me smile. “What?”
“Let me take you on a date.”
“The benefit is a date.”
“No, I mean a real date.” The benefit was a show, and like all great actors before us, we needed to rehearse. “Let me show you I’m more than just a star player and stunning personality.”
“And big dick?”
“Good to know where your head’s at, angel.” When she hesitated, I added, “Besides, everyone you and I both know willbe there, and they will notice if you flinch when I hold your hand or hand you the wrong drink.”
