Page 15 of Made Over by Meredith

I sent off the message she’d typed up to Celeste, then Meredith and I chatted about nothing in particular: what are favorite books were since we’d found out both of us were into listening to them on car rides—I was into urban fantasy while she was into what she called romantasy—and more about our family—how she loved anytime Claire invited her to family gatherings. She’d said she made up excuses so she didn’t have to see hers, though she was afraid she couldn’t get out of the trip her parents were planning to Aruba for Thanksgiving in the fall.

“Oh, how terrible,” I deadpanned. “Aruba.”

“You would hate it, believe me.”

“Yes, a week on a beautiful island.”

She wrinkled her nose. “While my dad constantly reminds me that I’m wasting myself and my mother badgers me about how I’m not married yet. Real fun.”

“Well, you have six months to come up with your excuse.”

She sighed. “I’ve avoided family trips for the last two years, but they won’t take no for any answer this time.”

“Maybe you should take someone with you as a buffer.”

She tilted her head from side to side. “Maybe. But I can’t ask Claire. She’ll be married, and who else would give up their Thanksgiving to come with me?”

I almost—very nearly almost—volunteered myself, but I shut my mouth.

Although with the way Meredith’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, maybe she was hoping…

No, she wouldn’t want me to go with her. There was no way.

She cleared her throat and focused on her drink as she swirled the ice cubes in her glass. “It’ll be fine. I’ll spend the week in an alcohol haze.”

I couldn’t find it in me to laugh.

Especially when Celeste texted me back. Her message read.You’re too cute. I can’t wait to see you either!

Meredith smiled when I showed her the text, though it wasn’t as bright as usual. “Great. Now tell her something else about her. Something you noticed.”

I typed up a message about how I liked her smell and have been trying to pinpoint what it was, except it wasn’t Celeste I thought about at the moment. It was Meredith and her scent, barely there, but I’d always caught it. Like citrus fruit on a breeze.

Ever since our little shopping excursion, it haunted me.

I left my phone on the table, displayed for Meredith’s viewing pleasure, and she nodded, a proud teacher. “Very nice. The use of pointing out the different senses is good. A lot of people forget you have to seduce with all five.”

I swallowed thickly, ignoring how I might do that with her.

Since we’d long since finished our drinks, and we succeeded in our goal tonight—getting back on track with Celeste—Meredith said she was going to head out. I agreed.

And when I got home, before I texted Celeste, I texted Meredith.You’re too smart to let your family get to you, but if you really need someone, I can take one for the team and spend the week in Aruba.

Such a gentleman, she replied.Worrying about lil ole me.

You need someone worrying about you.

I’m a big girl. I can handle it.

I know you can. But you could also let someone else take some of the load,I messaged.

You’re too sweet for this world, Aiden, she eventually texted back, quite soundly friend-zoning me. No surprise.

But what did surprise me was how my cock didn’t get the message. And when I wrapped my hand around it minutes later, it was to the images of Meredith in my head.

Not Celeste.

Chapter 6

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