Page 60 of My Favorite Sin

The two of us stay up all night talking and laughing out by Daxton’s rooftop pool and it’s the most fun I’ve had with anyone other than Dan. Come Friday morning, she returns to The Hamptons, and a stack of boxes are waiting for me in Daxton’s living room. I spend the morning sorting through them.

There’s no photo of my father inside.

I blow off my frustration by playing Daxton’s piano. My afternoon is occupied with Jordan and the bridesmaid dress fittings. By evening, I’m ready to curl up and watch something in their home theater, tired from the day, but a phone call from Liam stops me. I return to my bedroom, pacing around the room in a cold sweat as I answer.

“Hi, Liam.”

“Hey, beautiful, I’ve missed you. I’ve been thinking about you all day long. Allweeklong.”

His words are flattering but I find them hard to believe, considering there’s another person he’s seeing.

“I’m back in town earlier than expected. You said you’re in the city. Can I see you tonight?” he asks.

I’m about to turn him down with the truth, that I’m tired. I also don’t want to deal with the awkward and tense encounter of ending things with him, which I plan to do the next time we see each other. I hate confrontation. My mom’s ex hit her for trying to leave him. I know this is a different situation and I don’t believe Liam will turn violent over me wanting to just be friends, but it’s still a stressful conversation to have.

Dan is the one thing that gives me courage. It’s his birthday on Sunday and I don’t want this issue with Liam lingering over my head. Dan deserves my full attention on his birthday, especially with it being such a difficult day for him.

“I can make tonight work.” My throat strains and there’s a sharpness in my stomach as I push myself to be honest. “There’s something we need to discuss. Can we meet somewhere public?”

Silence lingers on Liam’s end of the phone. He sighs. “Shit. I know those words. What’s wrong?”

My stomach clenches tighter. “Um… I’d rather talk in person.”

He swears under his breath. “Tell me now. I can take it.”

“I’d rather see you?—”

“Ally.” His voice is firm but level. “If you’re ending this, just tell me. I don’t want to wait. You have me sweating like mad over here.”

I wipe my own sweaty palms on my dress and swallow hard, afraid of his reaction. “Okay, um, I like you a lot and I mean it, but just as a friend.”

He sighs, staying silent for so long that I have to ask if he’s still on the phone with me. “Yeah, I’m here. I’m just processing everything.”

“We can meet up if you want to discuss this further,” I tell him, jittery and bouncing on the spot, my words coming out fast. “You’re a good guy. I really would like to be friends but I understand if you’re not interested. In terms of dating, I think we’re just too different. I thought I would be okay with an open relationship but I’m not. I understand you have your way of doing things. I just want one person. One guy and—” Shut the hell up with the nervous talking, Ally.

Liam sighs again. “I really like you, Ally. I’m sorry this didn’t work. Maybe we can talk in a few days. Tonight is probably not the best idea. I need some time to think.”

“Sure. Whatever you need.”

“Goodbye, Ally.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

DAN

Persistent knocking at my door. That fucking promise I wish I could erase.

My phone says it’s nine a.m. Way too early. I’d been hoping to sleep through the majority of my birthday to make this day go faster. I drag myself out of bed and pull a shirt on, forcing myself to head to the door. For the first time since Ally’s return from Paris, I’m not in the mood to see her. To see anyone. But I never go back on my word.

“Yeah, I’m coming—” My mouth pauses mid-sentence as I open the door, finding what’s waiting for me.

Blood rushes to my cock and I’ve suddenly forgotten what day it is. Ally isn’t wearing her usual bows or ribbons or pastels. She doesn’t look like her cutesy self at all. I don’t know where to look first, at her blood-red lips begging to be kissed or the indulgent shape of her cleavage. Her dress matches the shade of her lipstick. The top is tight and low, shaped like a heart across her breasts and with velvet straps that fall off her shoulders. There’s so much skin exposed. I’ve never seen her wear anything so revealing and suggestive and I’m obsessed.

The skirt of her dress is short, not even mid-thigh length, and flares out, making her look like a doll. She’s wearing beige fishnet stockings and red heels. Her hair is in long, blond finger waves that must have taken hours to create. They’ll be ruined the first second I get my hands on her.

A smug expression rises on those perfect red lips. “Happy birthday. I see you like the first part of your present.”

Knowing that Ally dressed up like this for me sparks all kinds of primal urges. She has an overnight bag in one hand. I take it from her and place it inside, then pull her into my apartment, locking us in and stealing that kiss I’ve been thinking about. Not wanting to ruin the effort she’s put into her appearance, the kiss is slow and delicate. She smiles against my lips.

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