Page 39 of Getting Over You

“Gigi. Close your eyes.”

I squeeze my eyes shut. “You’re my eyes now,” I say. “I’m trusting you.”

“And I won’t let you down,” he says, smooth. He leads me away, then positions me perfectly, his hands on my waist. “Okay,” he instructs, “open.”

My eyes are met with a reflection of me, swiped beautifully across a cream canvas. Shanepaintedme. And did it well. I’m looking into a mirror, platinum waves perfectly captured, blue eyes glistening back at me.

“Oh, my god,” I say. “I don’t know what to say.”

Shane’s honey-golden eyes widen. “You hate it,” he says. “You hate it, and you think I’m a creep.”

I smile at him, and he relaxes. “No,” I tell him. “Shane, oh my god, this is the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me. Ever.” I close the small distance between us, kissing him. “Thank you. I’ve really liked this. Being with you.”

“I’ve liked being with you,” he says, looping his arms around my waist. “And you look absolutely incredible right now.”

My heart skips. I kiss him again.

“I think I’d look more incredible without this dress on,” I mumble against his lips.

He smiles against me and pushes me backward, into the brick wall, cool against my skin. “I couldn’t agree more,” he says.

I feel elated, gratified, as Shane fiddles with the zipper on my dress. Once he has it undone, I let it slip easily off my shoulders, down my legs.

He looks at me, his eyes aflame with want. “Is this okay?”

“More than okay.” I nod feverishly.

He grins, pulling me into him and against the brick all at once.

As he slips my underwear off, he whispers, “So beautiful. I could paint you this way.”

That’s the hottest thing anyone has ever said to me.

As I let my eyes fall shut, enjoying Shane and this, Cade Deans appears behind my eyelids.

Tan. Tattooed. His dimples flashing.

That’s my girl,Cade says in my fantasy. About doing the damn thing, about being daring enough to sleep with someone, about setting a goal and reaching it.

But once I hear his voice, smooth and deep, say it again, I can’t take it. And it’s the thought of Cade Deans praising me that carries me all the way to the end.

Chapter fourteen

“Ithought ice cream was for sadness only?” I ask, pulling open the door to the Ice Cream Pizza Parlor and allowing Gigi to step under my arm and inside.

“I am deeming it acceptable for happy times, too,” she says. “We’re celebrating, Cade.”

“Right,” I reply, uncertain. “Makes sense.”

“You should be celebrating most of all,” she says, making her way up to the counter.

“What are we celebrating for?” EJ asks.

“Nothing,” I say.

At the same time, Gigi says, “I slept with someone. A few weeks back. But we’re just now celebrating.” She’s grinning.

“Oh.” EJ’s eyes go wide with realization, then he grins. “Hey, rock on, brother.” He holds up a fist.

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