“Yes.”
“Why?”
I looked up. “Because if I’m going to be part of your life, I want to be the best version of myself.”
Zoey went very still, then suddenly she leaned forward, pressing her lips against mine. She slid her hand into mine, the other resting against my chest. I pulled her closer, wrapping an arm around her waist.
Zoey broke the kiss. “Okay,” she said.
“Okay.”
She picked up her wine again and took a long drink. “Have you ever had Korean barbecue?”
I blinked. “No.”
She smiled. “Good. We’re fixing that Saturday night.”
Chapter 24
Zoey
Cris satcross-legged on my bed, holding up two pairs of shoes as if she was making a life-altering decision.
“These,” she said.
I shook my head vehemently. “No.”
“These.”
“Absolutely not.”
She wiggled the heels. “You cannot show up to a date with a manthattall wearing flats.”
“I absolutely can,” I said. “Flats are democratic. Flats respect the human foot. Besides, I already slept with him.”
Cris snorted. “That is not the point.”
“That is exactly the point.” I leaned against the dresser and folded my arms. “It’s just dinner. A casual dinner between two emotionally responsible adults.”
Cris lifted an eyebrow. “You made out with him in a hot tub, slept with him, called him to track a missing child through the woods, and now he’s coming over to take you out to dinner.” She held up the heels again. “Nothing about this situation is casual.”
I sighed. “That doesn’t mean I need orthopedic damage.”
“It means,” she said patiently, “you should show up looking exactly how you want to look when you’re excited about someone.”
I hesitated. “That’s manipulative.”
“It’s honest.”
“Cris, I’m trying to make responsible decisions.”
“You’re wearing the black dress and the heels.”
I looked down at the dress in question. It was simple. Black and sleek, and it made my legs look like they belonged to someone significantly more coordinated than I actually was. The neckline was low enough to be interesting, without making my boobs a social event.
I had tried it on ten minutes earlier.
Cris had stared at me in stunned silence for a full three seconds.
