Page 115 of Chasing Lynda

He hesitates. “Are you sure? After all, this is your night.”

I nod. “It’s our night. For all five of us. I meant it when I promised y’all that this doesn’t change anything. Lynda can still choose. It’ll just be a much longer journey than we anticipated.”

Bennett chuckles. “Ha. You made sure she can’t dump your sorry ass for five years.”

I don’t argue with his statement. “Nor yours. Look, I know this got more complicated than we thought, but ...”

He knows what I mean. “But the reason why none of us would back down is that we all feel it. Each of us thought Lynda could be the one.”

We look at each other for a second, then I agree. “Exactly. I’m determined to be the last man standing, but I play fair. So, let’s go give her the jewelry together.”

He knocks on the door.

Lynda’s voice sounds a little far away, she’s probably in the bathroom. “Come in!”

We follow her voice to the room’s ensuite, where Lynda is pouring some scented oil into the filled bathtub from a small bottle.

“Hey guys, what’s up? I thought I had time for a bath? The hairdresser won’t be here for about an hour.”

We both nod.

Bennett’s eyes are fixed onto her just as much as mine and I’m sure he’s wondering the exact same thing I am; how can a woman look so fucking perfect with her hair messily clipped on the top of her head and in a white, fluffy bathrobe.

“Yeah, you have time. We’re sorry to intrude but Bennett and I had something we wanted to give you.” I nod at my best friend and he steps forward, smiling at Lynda.

“It’s just something small that I think would go perfectly with your dress tonight.”

I’m surprised by the softness in Bennett’s tone. I’ve watched Bennett “in action” with girls for years now and I’ve never seen him like this. Normally he’s cocky to the point of being obnoxious but with Lynda, he’s like a different man. He even admitted to us the other night that, while he and Lynda have been getting closer, he hasn’t fucked her yet. When we ribbed him about it, he reduced us all to a stunned silence by admitting that he’s taking things slow.

Bennett’s never taken things slow.

“Oh my God, Bennett!” Lynda gushes as she opens the box. “These are gorgeous!” Her eyes sparkle for a moment but are immediately veiled by regret. “But I can’t wear them. My ears aren’t pierced and Patricia offered to take me, but—”

Typical Mom. She probably got too busy and forgot.

“These are clip-ons, GT,” Bennett explains. “So you can wear them tonight ... if you want.”

She thanks him in the best way in the world; she touches her lips to his in a soft kiss.

Of course the fucking dipshit closes his arms around her waist and deepens the kiss, tilting her head back to get better access.

“Uhm, guys?” I clear my throat after several uncomfortable seconds when I don’t know if I have to be pissed or be excited; obviously I wouldn’t ask that question to my dick, because the situation in my jeans is becoming pretty uncomfortable.

I archive the information that seeing Lynda kiss one of the others turns me on for later and smile at her when they part.

“Oh sorry, Dodge,” she says, slightly short of breath.

I step forward, opening the box with her engagement ring and taking her left hand into mine in one fell swoop. “Your ring was finally ready and I think it would be awesome if you wore it tonight.”

Her eyes widen to the point that I can see the small white flecks in the intense blue of her irises. “Dodge! That’s huge!” She gasps, looking at the four carat, brilliant cut, flawless diamond in a platinum setting.

I can’t help but react with a smirk. “That’s what I’d hope you’d say, sexy girl.” I slide the ring onto her finger with a feeling of satisfaction blooming in my chest.

She giggles, swatting me playfully on a bicep. “Dodge! You’re so silly!”

The twinkle in her eyes makes me smile. “You make me silly, Lynda. Whenever I look at you, all I want is to see your smile.”

Yeah, I know; cheesiest line of the year, I don’t give a fuck. Lynda’s smile could sink ships and start wars, it’s that beautiful.

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