I groaned and stepped forward to grab a slice, leaving the cocoon of Nash’s body in favor of food. This was my favorite guilty combo—wine and pizza.
He reached over me and grabbed his own slice, pulling me into his lap as he sat on a barstool.
“So,” Bee began, “I took the liberty of shopping for the auction.”
At the mention of the auction, Nash tightened around me, hand stroking my thigh for comfort.
My stomach flipped, but I wasn’t certain for which reason—the auction, or his touch.
Bee put down her wine and pizza, raising her hands as though on Broadway. “I feel like I hit the nail on the head!” Her eyes glittered with such excitement, it was adorable.
My laughter bubbled up, and I nodded.
“Okay.” She did a little shuffle step before popping toward the dining room, returning with a swath of garment bags and alarge shoebox in her arms. She placed them on the island, well enough away from the greasy pizza that they wouldn’t risk being stained.
She unzipped the top bag and took out a hanger holding a black garment. It shocked me when she revealed something I hadn’t expected: an oversized hoodie.
“Hear me out,” she began. “This is Balmain.” She turned it in her hand, a glint of metal catching my eye. “The entire hood is lined with these metallic grommets—super edgy, very you.” She held up one sleeve. “Look, it even has thumb holes!” she squealed. “You can hide your hands and cope to your heart’s content. Plus, I just love the high-end designer meets streetwear idea, and it’sperfectfor you.”
She placed it down, reaching for the next garment bag and unzipping it. She pulled out more black.
Delight prickled my arms.
“Matching Balmain jersey leggings.” She held them toward me before pulling the pants from the hanger. “Also, with the same metallic grommets around the pockets here,” she pointed out. “Stretchy, comfy, high-low excellence.”
There was one more garment bag, and she waggled her eyebrows before opening it. “Pièce de la résistance—Brother, you’ll like this.”She unzipped it and pulled the garment out.
I would have fallen off Nash’s lap if he hadn’t been holding me up.
“Black Dolce and Gabbana sheer lace bodysuit! You can unzip the hoodie a little if you want, flash a littleooh la la.”She winked.
Nash choked on his pizza.
I giggled, cheeks flaming hot. It was gorgeous. I loved it. It’s exactly like something I’d put in my imaginary shopping cart what felt like ages ago. I finally had a place and a reason to wear something so beautiful and sexy.
Bee set it down. “Now, if that doesn’t make you feel confident, I don’t know what will.” She pulled the shoebox over. It read Dr. Martins big across the top. I knew what to expect from that. She popped off the lid and pulled out a pair of calf-high, chunky-sole combat boots—the classic Dr. Martins—and also my favorite.
I beamed. “Bee, I love all of it. You didn’t have to do this for me, but it’s perfect! I’ll make you my personal shopper from now on.”
Nash wrapped his hand around my belly, recovering from the bodysuit.
“I will happily accept that duty. Consider me hired!” Her smile was full of pride.
I nodded with genuine enthusiasm, and it took a moment to realize I was excited.
Mr. Beans arrived on the counter like a puff levitating from nowhere, just as I put another enormous piece of pizza in my mouth. He let out a deep yowl as Bee dove to move all the black clothing as far away from him as possible.
His white hair had a way of ruining black clothing. It ultimately didn’t matter as he went straight for the pizza instead. Mr. Beans had taken no time establishing his place here, Bee his helpless enabler.
Leaning back against Nash’s chest, I realized this is what a family must feel like—a genuine family that supported eachother, was there for you, and worked to understand and see you for all your faults.
The concept of ‘home’ was taking root in my soul, and I couldn’t help but fawn over itsblooming branches.
CHAPTER 34
Nash
Friday arrived, with the night of the auction upon us. I’d told Sybil I could stay home with her another day, but she insisted she was doing well. While I hated leaving her this morning, I made her promise to keep her phone on, and I insisted on calling her every hour to check in. She’d rolled her eyes, but conceded.
