Page 44 of The Love You Win

Why? You have nothing to be nervous about.

The rich and powerful aren’t really my crowd. I don’t want to embarrass anyone. Or myself.

What in the world are you talking about? You won’t embarrass anyone.

You don’t know that.

You’re beautiful, smart, and engaging. I do know that.

You’re just saying that so I don’t back out.

I’m saying that because it’s the truth. Who the hell made you worry you’d be an embarrassment? If your friends said something like that to you, then you need new friends.

No, no, it wasn’t them. Forget I said anything. It’s stupid.

Did someone say that to you?

No, don’t worry. So have you decided what suit you’re going to wear? How many suits do you own, anyway?

A lot. I like to change it up for game days. But don’t think I’m going to let you change the subject that easily.

What’s your favorite suit?

*sigh* Fine. I’ll drop it for now. I have different favorites for different occasions.

Tell me more.

Well, I have this black suit with bright orange jack-o’-lanterns on it…

nineteen

ISLA

I’m nervous. Choosing my outfit for this evening was far too big an ordeal. I tried on seven different dresses before settling on a deep peacock green number. It makes my eyes pop, my skin glow, and my hair looks amazing against the rich color. It’s pinned in a loose chignon at the base of my head with artfully arranged tendrils escaping the style around my face and neck. My eye makeup is smokey, my skin looks dewy with just enough highlighter to shimmer without looking ridiculous, and my lips are a bright red.

No matter how many times I tell myself I’m worried about looking my best because there will be photographers and reporters at the dinner tonight, I know the truth. Because every time I think about Maddox and the flirty texts he’s been sending me all week, my stomach erupts in a flurry of butterflies. He’s snuck past my defenses, and that scares the hell out of me. It’s exciting, too, but scary. He just wants to be friends, I tell myself. That’s all you should want too, I say in my head again and again.

I’m a terrible liar.

I’m even more nervous because the photo I posted of Maddox and me went a bit viral. There were thousands of comments on it. Some kind, some not. Some were just downright disgusting. The dumb football players in high school who were obsessed with finding out if my pubes matched my hair are in good company. There are a lot of disgusting men on the internet.

I blocked all the random strangers who started following me because of the photo and set my profile to private. The attention made me uncomfortable, and I’m worried someone will bring it up at dinner tonight.

My vague caption had the desired effect. There is a hell of a lot of speculation about Maddox and me now. It’s just a lot of nosey strangers doing the wondering instead of Alex like I’d hoped. Who knows if he’s seen the photo?

Or if he’ll care.

I’m swiping on one final coat of mascara when my phone buzzes. Nev and Jess are here. I slip into my gold heels, grab my purse and a soft wrap in case the night turns chilly, and head out of my apartment.

“Oh. My. God.” Jess squeals when I slide into the car. “You look so stunning. I mean, wow.”

“Thanks,” I say with a chuckle.

“You really do,” Nev agrees, grinning at me from the driver’s seat. “Maddox Graves won’t know what hit him.”

“This isn’t for Maddox.”

“Suuuuure it’s not.” Nev winks at me. Whatever. Even I don’t believe that. Still, I roll my eyes and don’t admit to the truth. They would never shut up about it if I did.

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