Page 71 of Catching Feeling

My heart thunders wildly in my chest as I scan my reflection again for the hundredth time. He chose a trumpet-style gown with a shimmery, almost sheer bottom in the most gorgeous shade of purple, a mixture between lilac and lavender that complements my skin tone and dark hair without being overpowering. It made doing my makeup effortless tonight, a simple neutral palette with just a pop of color on my lid and a slightly shimmery gloss on my lips.

I drag my eyes back up to my hair, which is falling over the bare slopes of my shoulders, and sigh. I feel as beautiful as this dress looks.

When I called Hallie earlier and showed her on FaceTime, she squealed so loudly she actually dropped the phone in her excitement.

“Oh my gosh, Viv, you look like a literal princess right now.” I don’t know about that, but I sure feel like one.

Smiling, I quickly grab my clutch and walk out of my bedroom into the living room, where I already know Reese is waiting.

My heels are quiet on the carpet, so he doesn’t immediately notice that I’ve entered, giving me an uninterrupted moment to appreciate him in a tux.

Holy. Hell.

How is it possible for the floor to feel like it’s actually fallen out from under my feet at the sight of him?

His dark hair is still damp and curling around his nape and ears, and he didn’t shave, which means that his sharp jaw is covered in the delicious stubble that I love so much. The tux is perfectly tailored to every inch of him, and as I watch him fiddle with his cufflinks, my throat suddenly feels tight. He’s always sexy, but in a suit, he’s devastatingly handsome.

I feel like I’m swaying in the doorway as I admire the view.

It’s at this moment that he looks up, his espresso-colored irises connecting with mine.

He opens his mouth to speak but then closes it as if he’s trying to find the right words.

“Vivienne…” he starts as he steps forward to slowly close the distance between us. “Fucking Christ, you look…breathtaking.”

I glance down at my dress and laugh softly because I’m feeling all kinds of strange, new feelings tonight. Feelings I don’t quite understand, that I’m scared to examine too closely. “Well, you picked a beautiful dress. I can’t even imagine what it cost.”

Reese makes a noise in the back of his throat as he shakes his head. “Doesn’t matter because I would’ve paid any cost to see you in this dress, Viv.”

His eyes do a slow perusal that makes me hot everywhere, sliding down every inch of my body and leaving a trail of arousal in its wake. He reaches for me, gently tugging me until I’m pressed tightly against his front, his hands splayed along the bare skin of my lower back, where his thumb caresses me with slow strokes.

There’s nothing sexual happening between us, yet I feel every breath down to my core. I feel every graze of his finger along my skin.

“I wish I could kiss you right now. I know you probably don’t want me to mess up your makeup, but just know the second you tell me I can, I’m kissing the fuck out of you, Sweet Tart.”

His silly nickname does something to those butterflies in my stomach, causing chaos. I tell myself the same thing I have every single day since the night I cried in his arms.

This is casual. We’re casual. Roommates who sometimes hook up.

Nothing more.

Casual is easy. Fun. Uncomplicated. Safe.

I reach up and adjust his bow tie, which is slightly crooked. Once it’s straight, I drag my gaze to his and swallow. “You look handsome. Ridiculously handsome.” I roll my eyes for good measure, but lately, it feels more like an act than anything, and it’s hard to admit, even to myself, that things feel different between us.

Which is why I give myself the same spiel, over and over.

This is casual. We’re casual.

“Thank you. Before we go, I have something for you.”

My eyebrows shoot up in question as he pulls a black velvet jewelry box out of the pocket of his slacks.

“I know, I know.” He winces. “You hate when I spend money on you, I know, and I’m sorry. But… I just couldn’t pass this up. It’s like fate put me at the right place at the right time, and it was meant to be yours, Viv.” Carefully, he opens the box, revealing a dainty silver chain with a small charm hanging in the center. When I reach out, I realize the charm is actually a little ghost, and my legs almost give out, unable to support the shock cresting through my system.

Immediately, tears burn my eyes, and my hand shoots to cover my mouth.

“If you hate it, I can take it back, and we can forget this ever happened,” he says with a slightly nervous expression, his throat working as he swallows. “I just saw it, and I know that you always wear the bracelet with the ghost, and they’re so similar, and I know you love your ghosts…”

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