by E. L. Todd
“Have you talked to Kyle?”
“Not since we went out.”
Marie pressed her lips tightly together like she wanted to say something.
I dared her with my eyes.
She made the right decision to back off. “So, you want to get lunch? I can tell you haven’t eaten today. Well, you haven’t eaten something besides frosting.”
“I’d love to.”
***
I just finished making homemade pizza when there was a knock on my door. I was currently rocking flannel pajama bottoms and a tank without a bra. Whenever no one was around, I let my true colors out. I was a messy slob, and I liked it that way.
I checked the peephole and hoped it was just Marie swinging by to discuss wedding plans, but it was Kyle.
Kyle had his arms across his chest. “Are you just going to stare? I know I’m beautiful, but it’s rude to gawk.”
I wanted to smack him upside the head.
I unlocked the door and cracked it. “Why don’t you ever call before you stop by?”
“Why should I call?” He walked inside without waiting to be invited. “I would come by anyway even if you said you weren’t up for it.” He sniffed the air then headed into the kitchen. “What smells so good?”
I shut the door and released a growl. “If you’d called, I would have had time to put on some make up and change out of my pajamas.” I followed him into the kitchen, crossing my arms over my chest to hide my hard nipples through the thin fabric.
He eyed the pizza on the stove. “Damn, this looks good.”
“Thank you.”
He turned to me as he leaned against the counter. His eyes looked me up and down, and the corner of his lip upturned in a smile. “You look perfect the way you are.”
I knew he was just saying that. My hair was in a loose bun, and there was a hole in the crotch of my pants. “Uh-huh.”
“You do.” He slowly came toward me then moved his hands to my hips. That ghostly smile was still on his mouth, and his eyes lightened noticeably when he came near. “Honestly, I think you look better without make up.”
“Liar.”
“Baby, you know how I am. I don’t say cheesy lines just to say them.”
“Then you say them to get laid.”
“And would I want to get laid if you really looked hideous?” He smiled in triumph when he knew he had me. He pressed his lips to the corner of my mouth before he pulled away. Then grabbed my breasts and gave them a gentle squeeze. “And I always prefer it when you’re commando.” He winked then turned back to the pizza. “Can I stay for dinner?”
Kyle was arrogant, but he had the right moves to make me melt. “Sure.”
“Awesome.” He grabbed a plate then sat down at the table. He immediately started eating before I joined him. “How was your day?”
“Good,” I said. “Every day at the bakery goes by in a blur.”
“Every time I walk in there, it’s a damn zoo.”
“Which is nice,” I said. “The workday feels shorter.”
“But you start work at five in the morning…” He cringed. “That’s the worst thing ever.”
“I don’t mind. I wake up early anyway.”
“Who the hell wakes up that early voluntarily?” He shoved the food into his mouth between his sentences.
“I still wake up at five on my days off.”
“Weirdo…”
“I go to the gym, get my grocery shopping done, make breakfast…”
“Still a weirdo.” He ate three slices before he rubbed his stomach. “You want to be my wife?”
I stopped in mid-bite. “What?”
“You can cook for me every day. Your food is always awesome.”
“Why don’t you ask me to be your private chef?” When I understood he was joking, I continued eating.
“Well, I want sex too. So, you’ll have to be my wife.”
“And what do I get out of this scenario?”
He eyed his lap then turned back to me with a smug grin on his face.
I wanted to wipe a slice across his face. “How was your day?”
“Good. My firm got a big case today.”
“Oh?”
“The police found five terabytes of child pornography on this guy’s laptop. Then he was caught paying for sex with a minor in Florida. The case moved from state to federal overnight. Pretty insane.”
I didn’t know anything about the legal system, and I didn’t try to pretend that I did. “What’s the difference?”
Kyle was never arrogant with his superior knowledge. “It goes through the federal courts, and it becomes a federal crime. The case gets a lot more exposure, and the sentence, if found guilty, is far more severe.”
“Just because he committed the crime in a different state?”
“Technically,” he said. “But with all that shit they found on his laptop, he’s screwed anyway.”
“You’re prosecuting him?”
“Yep. We’re putting the motherfucker away for a long time.” Kyle didn’t talk about work very often, but when he did, he was passionate about it. He took civil cases, among other things, but sometimes he landed high-profile situations like this one.
Kyle didn’t work at the office very often. He was just a mere figurehead with a group of lawyers working underneath him. He spent a lot of time golfing, working out, and going on fancy trips. He definitely had the lifestyle most guys would dream of. “Will you be working on the case yourself?”
“Yeah, but I don’t need to. There’s so much evidence that we’re going to nail him to the wall.”
“I’m glad he won’t be getting away with it.”
“Me too.” Kyle always seemed to be more passionate about cases that involved minors or sexual abuse than homicides. He never told me why.
But then again, I never asked. I tried to keep our relationship as straightforward as possible. We were just fuck-buddies that had great sex. Nothing more.
He looked out the window before he turned back to me. “I need a favor—and you owe me.”
“That’s not a good start…”
“My cousin is getting married this weekend in the Hamptons. I want you to be my date.”
Even though I didn’t react, my heart slammed in my chest. Perspiration immediately marked my brow and my hands felt clammy. I dropped the pizza slice because I lost my appetite. “What?”
“What, what?” he asked. “You know what a wedding is, right?”
“But why are you asking me to go with you?” We didn’t do stuff like that.
“Because I need a date.” He said it with condescension, like I was an idiot for not figuring it out.
I wasn’t buying that. Kyle was a fine piece of man who didn’t struggle to get dates. He could have whomever he wanted, whenever he wanted. “Take someone else. You know I’m terrible company.”
“Right now you are,” he said. “But I still want you to come with me.”
The anxiety was starting to build. “We don’t do that. We’re just a fling.” I never signed up for family functions.
“I just went out to dinner with your family and I didn’t complain.”
He couldn’t be serious. “That’s not the same thing and you know it. That was a double date—”
“With your brother.”
“But he’s engaged to my best friend—”
“Who’s your sister-in-law,” he said triumphantly. “Which makes her family. I did that for you, so you can do this for me.”
I shook my head slightly. “Did you seriously just lawyer me?”
He grinned from ear-to-ear. “Don’t try to argue with me. I promise you’ll always lose.”
“Will your mom be there?”
“Of course.”
“And the rest of your family?”
“Yep.”
“And you really want me to meet them.”
He nodded. “I really do.”
I knew I couldn’t get out of this, not when he just had
dinner with my brother. “Open bar?”
Kyle released a quiet chuckle. “Oh yeah. Plus, it’s in the Hamptons so we’ll be staying at my beach house.”
“You have a beach house?”
“You didn’t know that?”
“Uh, no.”
“Well, now you do.” He took his plate to the sink and washed it off before putting it in the dishwasher. “Wear something on the fancier side. As much as I love my family, they’re pretty damn snooty.”
“Great…”
He sat in the chair beside me then suddenly pulled me into his lap. His arms were thick and powerful, and they moved me with ease. The second my ass was in his lap, I felt his hard-on through his jeans. “Now that you smell like pizza, why don’t we go into the bedroom?”
“Does that turn you on?”
“Oh yeah.” He kissed the corner of my mouth. “Yum…pepperoni.”
His words were so ridiculous that I laughed. “Yum…olives.”
“Yes, baby. Talk dirty to me.”
I laughed again and felt my stomach clench tightly from the effort. “You’re just making me hungry again.”
“For another slice?” he asked. “Or for me?”
“Can my answer be both?”
“Sure,” he said. “But we know what the real answer is.”
***
Marie and I walked into the wedding dress section of Saks Fifth Avenue.
“Can you believe it?” I asked. “You’re actually picking out your wedding dress. The day is finally here.”
“I know.” Marie wanted to squeal. It was obvious in the way she couldn’t stand still.
“You’re going to look beautiful in everything you try on.”
“God, I hope so.”
I was excited for Marie. She was the coolest chick I knew, and she deserved so much happiness. And I knew she would make Axel happy for the rest of his life. I still didn’t know what Axel did to win her over, but he obvious did something. “Let’s check in.”
After we told the receptionist we were there, we headed to a showroom where a pedestal was erected in front of mirrors. There was a changing room to the left, and on a table was a tray of champagne, glasses, and strawberries.
“Here are a few of our most popular dresses.” The assistant placed everything in the changing room. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Thank you.” Marie practically ran into the changing room and shut the door.
I poured myself a glass of champagne and patiently waited for her to come out.
“Champagne?” A deep voice sounded behind me, and it was too familiar for me to not recognize it. Hawke stood near the table and eyed the empty glass. “When I get my custom suits, I don’t even get a piece of gum.”
Every time I saw him, I immediately focused on his eyes. They were deeper than the ocean, and they held more secrets than a diary. I remembered looking into them when we made love in the middle of the night. Sometimes random flashbacks played in my mind, and I did everything I could to fight them off. Despite all this time, I knew what we had was real. But that didn’t mean I wanted to keep reliving it. “Maybe you should tip better.”
Hawke smiled slightly and his eyes shined brighter. “Maybe.” He took the seat beside me, wearing a navy blue suit with a black tie. A fancy watch was on his wrist, and his aviators were tucked into the front pocket.
“What brings you here? Need a dress?” It was still a little tense between us. All I could think about was that woman who left her wallet at his apartment. And after that thought left, all I could think about was the beautiful relationship we used to have. But with every passing meeting, it was getting a little easier. I didn’t think about it so much.
A chuckle emerged from deep in his throat. “No. I have plenty at home.”
“Yeah?” I asked. “You wear them around the house to make yourself feel pretty?”
“Very pretty.” He went along with the joke with a smile on his lips. “Actually, Axel asked me to come.”
I couldn’t figure out why. “Because?”
He cleared his throat. “He wants me to tell him ‘how damn fine Marie looks in her dress.’” He shrugged when he finished his sentence. “I guess it’s my job as the best man.”
I rolled my eyes because it sounded exactly like something Axel would do. “He actually gave you permission to check out his future wife?”
“I couldn’t believe it either.”
Marie came out of the changing room and lifted up the front of her gown as she stepped on the pedestal. It was tight around her waist but poufy everywhere else. She tilted her head to the side as she examined herself, and the lack of excitement in her eyes told us everything we needed to know. “This makes me look fat.”
Hawke released an involuntary laugh because it was so absurd.
“I know it’s your day and everything, but shut the hell up. You weigh a hundred and five pounds.”
“I didn’t say I was fat.” She grabbed her gown and stepped off the pedestal. “I just said it made me look fat.” She walked back into the dressing room.
Hawke leaned toward me and lowered his voice. “Isn’t that the same thing?”
I shook my head. “Just ignore her.”
He moved away again. “I think that’s a good idea.”
I sipped the champagne then grabbed a strawberry.
“This is pretty nice,” Hawke said as he looked around. “No wonder why girls are so excited to get married.”
“It’s one of the perks. When my big day comes, I won’t be doing it. But I won’t regret that.”
Hawke turned his eyes on me, and they changed slightly like the cogs in his mind were turning. His thoughts couldn’t be read as easily as before, but it was clear when something was on his mind. “And why won’t you be doing this?”
“I’m wearing my mother’s dress.”
His eyes immediately softened, and the emotion stretched across his face. He suddenly looked away, like he was putting as much distance between us as he could without actually moving. “That’s nice…”
I sipped my wine just so I had something to do.
Marie came out again, this time in a mermaid dress.
“Ooh…I like that one.” I watched her rise on the pedestal and examine herself in the mirror. “It really highlights your curves. And your ass looks great.”
“Axel will love that.” Marie positioned her hair in different ways like she was imagining how it would look with the dress.
Hawke leaned toward me. “I think she likes it…”
“I do too.” I wanted to express every opinion that came into my mind, but I didn’t want to sway her thoughts. Sometimes, it was easy to get sucked into your best friend’s preference.
Marie continued to stare at herself without an overt reaction. But I knew her well, better than Axel, arguably. And I could tell she was picturing herself walking down the aisle, imagining how the rose petals sounded under her feet as she moved, and wondering how Axel looked as he watched her come closer.
I set my glass down then slowly came to her side. The dress fit her like it was made just for her. The tiny glitter embedded deep into the fabric was light and not overwhelming. The gown flared out past her knees and somehow made her look taller. “Marie…you look amazing.”
She felt the fabric in her fingertips and released a deep sigh. “I think I’m in love.”
I smiled and felt my eyes grow slightly moist. “I think I am too.”
“You think Axel will like it?”
He’d like it if she wore a chicken suit. To him, she looked beautiful in anything. “Yes.”
She clutched her hands to her chest. “I think this is it.”
“Are you sure?” I asked. “You’ve only tried on two dresses.”
“No, this is it.” There was no hesitation in her eyes. Her heart was set.
“Then, congratulations.”
She searched for the price tag until she found it. “I just hope it’s not ridiculous.
Axel said I couldn’t go over ten thousand.”
I couldn’t believe she was willing to spend that much on a dress. But I held my tongue and didn’t share my economical point of view.
When Marie found the price tag, she sucked in a breath and her eyes widened in sheer shock. “Ugh…shit.”
“How much is it?” If it were just a few extra thousand, I wouldn’t mind helping her. It was a gift to her and my brother.
“You don’t even want to know…”
I yanked the price tag out of her hand. How expensive could it be? “Holy shit…”
“Told ya.”
“This dress is twenty-two thousand?” Was it even legal to charge that much? “How do these people sleep at night?”
“I’m sure they sleep on a bed of money.” Marie tried to make a joke to mask her pain. “Oh well… I’m sure I’ll find something else.” She slowly stepped off the pedestal and headed to her changing room at a snail’s pace, clearly disheartened.
I wanted to get my best friend the dress she deserved but I simply didn’t have that kind of money to spare.
Hawke came to my side. “What did she say?”
“She can’t afford the dress so she’s going to try a few others…”
Hawke put his hands in his pockets. “How much was it?”
“Enough to give anyone a heart attack.” I returned to my seat and downed the entire glass of champagne.
Hawke remained outside Marie’s door, his thoughts hidden behind his stoic exterior.
Marie came out in a new dress and returned the one she really wanted to the rack. I could already tell she hated the dress she had on, because when she stepped on the pedestal, she stepped on the bottom of the dress like she didn’t give a damn about it.
I returned to her side and looked at the gown. It was pretty and fit her well, but it wasn’t nearly as spectacular as the previous one. But I tried to make the best of it. “It’s pretty…”
“Yeah…it’s eight thousand. At least I can afford this one.”
“You know, I’m sure we’ll find a much better dress somewhere else. You don’t have to get anything today.”
Marie felt the tulle at the bottom then let it fall slowly back to her side. “It’s kind of pretty…”
Maybe we should just call it a day so she could sleep on it. She was obviously too heartbroken to keep searching. “How about we go get a drink and come back another day?”
