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He runs his large hand through his hair, messing it up after having it compressed by his hat. “What do you mean?”
Standing, I walk over to the dresser and take his hat before standing in front of him, getting up on my tippy-toes, and placing his hat back on his handsome head. Backwards and all.
He quirks a brow in question. “Uh, pretty sure this isn’t in the dress code Preston texted me.”
“Doesn’t matter.” I pull my bottom lip into my mouth, contemplating admitting what I’ve been thinking about all day. I had way too much free time with my own thoughts between the facial, the waxing, the massage, the nails. Mildred knows how to spoil her bridesmaids, that’s for sure. “You don’t need to be more like them, or try to fit in to avoid offending anyone. You’re the best person I know, Brooks. It’s them who should try to be more like you.”
He blinks slowly, like he’s absorbing my words. “I think that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me,” he admits, his voice sounding more serious than usual.
He wraps his arms around me, pulling me into a big bear hug. My feet lift off the ground and everything. He spins me around and I laugh. “Okay, okay, put me down!”
He listens, allowing me to slide down the front of his firm, well-honed physique. My head spins for a moment at the feel of him against me. I wonder briefly how I ever thought skinny, serious poets were somehow better than sturdy blondes who are built like vikings. Maybe that’s how they pillaged so many villages … The women saw them and simply surrendered.
My viking daydream ends when I notice Brooks is studying me with amused curiosity. I take a step back and bring my hand instinctively to the collar of my sweater. “Well, I’m going to get dressed,” I announce a little too loudly.
Brooks smirks like he somehow knows I was picturing him as a viking and that I was happily going to allow him to pillage my township. I walk to the closet, nearly tripping over my own feet. “Get it together, Molly,” I whisper to myself. When I finally make it inside the large closet, I close the door and rest my back against it. “What has gotten into you?” I ask myself.
A knock comes from the other side of the door and I jump with a loud gasp. Brooks's voice echoes through the door. “Did you say something?”
“I was talking to myself,” I say with a forced laugh. “Ha. You know, just asking myself for fashion advice.”
His deep chuckle rumbles through the door and seems to vibrate through my entire body. The viking image comes back to mind before I force myself to think of literally anything else … rainbows, antique spoons, breast implants, corgis, corgis bow ties … Brooks’s thick neck.
With a groan, I dig my fingers into my hair and pull.
“Are you sure you’re okay in there?” Brooks's voice comes through the door again.
“Fine!” My voice sounds strained.
I quickly grab the hot pink dress I saw the other day and put it on. When I saw the pink, I knew it would be perfect for the bachelorette party. The long-sleeved body-con dress is ruched along the sides, creating a flattering silhouette. And since it falls to my mid-calf, I’ll stay warm. The top is slightly off-shoulder with a large collar that stretches across my shoulders. With one last glance in the full-length mirror, I decide I’m ready for a girls’ night out … with Trudy.
Somehow knowing how annoyed my sister is about it makes me smile about spending the evening with her. It’s not Trudy’s fault she’s Todd’s date. She most likely thinks he’s a real catch. I mean, I did… So how can I hold that against her?
When I step out of the closet in my dress and heeled booties, Brooks is standing right outside the closet door with his arms crossed. His blue eyes go wide when he sees me, and it definitely gives me a little thrill of satisfaction.
“Whoah.” He twirls his finger, urging me to spin. I oblige, spinning and striking a goofy pose. “Damn. I hope this doesn’t cross our friendship boundary, but you look really freaking sexy.”
I feel my cheeks heat. “I think we’re past worrying about friendship boundaries, don’t you? I’ve seen your punny underwear and everything.”
He looks abashed and runs his hand along his chiseled jaw. “Yeah, that’s very true.”
“You look good too.” I allow my eyes to drop down his body. He’s wearing dark jeans, stylish leather sneakers, a black sweater, and his baseball cap.
His mouth twitches at one corner, like he’s not sure if he should smile or not. “Thank you. Should we head downstairs?”
“I’m ready. Let’s get this over with, hunky bear.” I loop my arm around his, taking full advantage of feeling up his bicep. I must be a little too obvious about it though, because he slowly swivels his head to look at me, the expression on his face a little confused. He’s likely wondering why I’ve gone the past six years barely noticing the way he looks and now I’m suddenly groping his muscles every chance I get.
My brain is mush. Is this just confusion from the whole fake dating situation, or have I developed a serious attraction to my best friend?
I’m the last one to slide into the limo that will be chauffeuring us around for the night. First, we have an hour drive into the larger town that has the fancier restaurants and wineries. The only options here are mom and pop cafes, which are delicious, but not up to snuff for Mildred’s bachelorette party … or so she thinks.
All the girls are dressed similarly to myself: sexy but warm … except for Trudy. She’s going to freeze her tuchus off in her tiny, revealing dress and strappy stilettos.
I look at my sister and raise a brow in question, but she just shrugs and looks grumpily at Trudy.
“Um, Trudy,” I place a hand on her very bare knee. “Did you bring a coat or anything? I think we’re supposed to get more snow this evening.”
Trudy giggles. “Girl, I’m from Kansas.” She waves me off good humoredly. “I’ll be fine!”
