Page 328 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

His head tips back

with a blushing “Fuck.”

Around us,

the bar’s swaying from side to side,

returning to the chorus,

singing loud and drunk.

I hook my fingers into his pocket and pull him closer until his hips brush mine, and I press my mouth close to his ear. “Outside, I have a black Phantom waiting, your very own pumpkin carriage…” I drag my nails across his pants at his thigh, inhaling the cologne soaked into his neck. “A suit in the backseat for you to wear for a magical night… with me⁠—”

I lean back to catch his hooded eyes.

“—at the label's Christmas party.”

He turns his head,

scrapes a hand down his face.

I blink up at him,

smoothing my hand back down his leg.

“Please,” I say lastly. “I could bring Ben, or anyone, really… But I want you by my side.”

He wants to smile, fights it even,

unsure if he’s allowed to have it.

Then he groans,

taking my hands into his.

“Shit... the second I saw you, I knew I was fucked.” He shakes his head, another curse tripping over his lips. “Jesus, you know I can’t resist you when you get all scary-romantic.”

The corner of my mouth lifts.

“So that’s a yes?”

His grin slants, surrendering. “Nobody’s ever done shit like this for me before. The hell am I supposed to say—no?”

Seconds later, we’re leaving the bar,

fingers tangled together.

The driver opens the back door, and after Andrew shakes his hand, we slide in.

He sees the garment bag,

the shoes,

the gift boxes wrapped in red ribbon.

It overwhelms him. “Allison…”

“Shh…” My dress spills across his lap as I settle there. “Please,” my gaze falls into his as I say it, “let me do this for you.”