“I’m sure. So sure. I was shocked to see that they’re having a baby, but I meant what I said.” Her eyes soften and strokes my hands gently. “I’m happier than I have ever been, and you are a huge part of that. Things between Brad and I never would have worked. We both changed a lot during the last few years of our relationship. He became more obsessed about making partner and I buried myself in work to avoid the ever expanding crack in our relationship. I was so caught up in the life we planned together that I didn’t see that it wasn’t what either of usneededand thathewasn’t the person I wanted it with anymore.”
“There’s my girl. I am so proud of how damn strong you are.” I brush my lips across her forehead.
“Let’s not waste anymore of our lunch talking about them. You said Coach was on a rant and that’s why you were ‘running late.’” She throws air quotes around that last bit.
“Yeah, about that, I actually have a favor to ask you. The front office is up our ass about this gala that’s coming up. It’s for a great cause, so I’m happy to go, but they’re pushing all of us to bring a date this year.” I push my fingers through my curls. “I hate to ask because it’s kind of stuffy and mostly just rubbing elbows to get donations from a bunch of rich old dudes.”
“Ask what, Cruz?” A sly smile tilts the corner of her lips up as she raises her fork to her mouth.
“Would you come with me?”
“With an invitation like that, who could say no?” She drops her fork into her bowl, laughter ringing out at my expense.
My hand freezes with my sandwich midair and I channel my inner golden retriever, giving her my best puppy dog eyes. “Are you mocking me right now? In my time of need. Right after I helped you?”
“Stop with the eyes. Just because God gave you those big brown weapons of mass destruction doesn’t mean they’ll work on me. I know you too well.”
“Is that a yes?” Leaning in close, I pull out all the stops. Letting my accent come out to play and giving her a crooked grin I know makes my dimples extra deep.
“Of course, it’s a yes you goon. Now put those dimples away, they did their job. Plus, it’ll give Poppy an excuse to take me shopping.” She spears a piece of pork that’s covered in sticky rice and lifts her fork between us. “Try this. It’s so freaking delicious. It might be the best meat I have ever had in my mouth. Mmm.”
That’s only because you haven’t had mine—I stop myself.Shit, I am so fucked.
I raise my eyebrow at her, but Delilah just shrugs, and moves the fork closer. I wrap my mouth around the fork. She wasn’t lying, it’s incredible. But what I love most is how her pupils flare when I hum in satisfaction.
When I’m finished chewing, I pull out my wallet and slide my card across the table. She clears her throat as her eyes drop to the card, breaking that connection. “What’s this?”
“My credit card.”
“Thanks, Captain Obvious. I can see that, but why doIneed it?” Her eyes roll dramatically, and I can’t help but think if she were mine, I would kiss that sassy look right off her face.
“For the dress. I asked you to a black-tie gala. Since you would rather shop with Poppy than me, I’m giving you my card. Get shoes, a purse, and whatever else you need for the night.”
Like a game of hot potato she pushes it back across the table. “I can buy my own dress.”
“I know you can. I said Iwantedto buy it for you. I’ll pretend not to be hurt that you didn’t refute my claim that you’d rather shop with Poppy.” Both our hands still on the card, I slide it over the threshold back towards her half of the table.
She levels me with a glare that tells me she’s about done with my nonsense. “Are you going to skip your away games to shop with me? I think not. I’m not taking your card. End of conversation.”
I drop it for now, but there’s no way this is over.
Chapter 2
Dress Shopping
Present
“What about this one?” Poppy holds a short, strappy, pink number up against her chest and bats her eyelashes at me. It’s the first store on our “Lilah gets her groove back”—that’s what she’s calling it—shopping extravaganza and so far it’s a bust.
My stunning, redheaded friend and I bonded over a love of dirty jokes when she walked intoBuns & Rosesto find me with bloodshot eyes one morning after the break-up. She was the first person to make me laugh after everything. And she kept coming back, claiming it was because my latte art looked less phallic than the other neighborhood coffeeshop. But really she just wanted to make sure I was okay. Now she’s my partner in crime—the devil to Cruz’s angel on my shoulder.
“I’m not sure what I am looking for, but I know it’s not that.” I flip through the choices on the rack. All of them scream prom or plaything, not black-tie gala.
“Hey, that’s a start. Maybe if we rule things out, we can figure out whatthe onelooks like.” Poppy hangs the Pepto pink abomination back on the rack.
“Can you please stop calling it that? It’s not a wedding dress.”
“No, you’re right . . . it might be more important. It’s a drive-my-hot-as-hell-best-friend-crazy dress.”
