Page 34 of Everything I Need

“Oh, Sweet Scarlett! You look stunning!” Mom claps her hands over her mouth in excitement.

“Scarlett, Mom was right, that dress was made for you!” Addy beams.

“You guys, stop! You’re making me blush!” But I really do love hearing it.

Just before mom comes to fuss over me, I hear the doorbell ring and my nerves are set on edge.

Would Preston like the dress? Would I be able to hold my own and network with all these people? Seeing Niles again terrifies me. My mind is racing.

Mom opens the door to let Preston in, and he stops short when he sees me. His eyes glaze over to that bright gold amber hue right before they travel up and down my body while he bites his bottom lip.

Yup, this dress is perfect.

Preston steps toward me and grabs my hand. Before pulling me in he twirls me around and my dress billows out around me.

His hand travels to my waist and he pulls me in for a kiss. I don’t even know how much time passes, but I start to hear chuckling and it’s not subtle. Pulling away from Preston I turn to face Mom and Addy. I completely forgot they were here for a moment.

“I’d say he’s the one making you blush.” Addy chuckles to herself as she walks back to the kitchen.

Mom grabs both my hands and kisses me on the cheek like she used to do. Then in a very unlike her moment she whispers in my ear, “I won’t expect you home this evening. That dress seems to have done the trick.”

My jaw hits the floor at Mom’s boldness.

Blushing, I can’t help but think back to our night in the wildflower field. The dress certainly helps, but my leggings haven't failed me yet.

Laughing, I turn back to Preston who is looking at me with a look that says he wants to be let in on this joke. It’s a look my dad had often. Living with four daughters and a wife, he often was left out of our jokes but he loved every moment with us.

Grabbing his hand and kissing his cheek, I ask “Are you ready to go?”

“I’m ready to get to that hotel room for sure. Those shoes are definitely staying on, the dress is debatable. The dinner, I’m not so sure.” Good to know I chose the right shoes. I chose strappy heels that lace up my ankle and give off a sexier vibe than my other shoes. I wouldn’t mind them staying on either.

I swat his arm playfully and tug him out the door. “Well then, we better get to this dinner so we can get to the hotel!”

Chapter Twenty-One

Preston

Iamdreadingthisdinner. The only thing pulling me through is the beautiful woman on my arm. That dress that hugs every curve of her body and those shoes aren’t doing me any favors to get through this night. All I want to do is drag her back to the hotel room.

“Preston!” I cringe as I see it’s Caleb walking up. In 3, 2, 1. . .

“Well, look at this smoke show that’s here with you. If I were you we wouldn’t even be here, we’d be. . .” There it is, the crude jab he couldn’t help but make.

“Good to see you, Caleb.” I turn to Scarlett, “You remember Caleb from the restaurant, right Scarlett?” I ask sarcastically.

“How could I forget you, Caleb?” She grins while insulting him.

“Oh, you’re a feisty one aren’t you? I would love to see you put that feistiness to good use.” He fucking winks at her. I’m standing right here. He has no shame, and I want to slam my fist into his face.

Scarlett rolls her eyes, grabs my hand, and pulls me away from him.

I look back at Caleb who is just staring at her ass swaying side to side in that slinky dress. The urge to punch him grows more with every step she takes. I move to stand directly behind her and block his view.

A little silentfuck youto Caleb. I make a mental note to make sure they are never alone together. I think he now sees her as a challenge and Caleb does not back down from a challenge; of any kind.

That makes our plan to catch Elizabeth and Caleb that much harder if I don’t want him alone with her. I will need to pull it together to catch them.

“That guy is such a creep. How can anyone fall for his bullshit?” The look of disgust on her face makes me feel a little better. I don’t know if I can handle allowing her to cuddle up to him later, but the fact she looks like it might cause her actual pain, helps the jealousy subside. Just a little.

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