Page 36 of Rush

“Good.” She took a sip of her coffee then set the mug down.

“So, you’ll go?”

Her lips curved into a smirk. “I’ll pencil it into my busy social calendar.”

Linc chuckled. “Thanks. You’ll need a dress.”

Her smile fell. “How fancy is this shindig?”

His expression turned sheepish. “Black tie fancy.”

Well, she definitely didn’t have anything like that hanging in her closet.

As if reading her thoughts, Linc said, “I’ll pay for it, of course. And shoes and whatever else you may need.”

What she needed was help. Looked like she was going on another shopping trip with Emerson and Ivy.

Chapter Thirteen

Hearing the doorbell, Linc walked the length of the living room decked out in a navy blue, micro-check tux worn over a black dress shirt and slim black tie. With his dress shoes tapping a rhythm as he walked the length of the marble tiled entryway, he pulled the front door open, ushering in Emerson’s parents who had offered to babysit Sophie. Which worked out perfectly because he wouldn’t have to worry about her being well taken care of. In the past few months, Mike and Jill had taken Sophie under their wing and become pseudo grandparents, filling a much-needed gap. And Sophie loved spending time with them too, especially Chewy and Sulley, Jill’s Pomeranians.

“Thanks for picking her up.”

“No problem,” Mike said, shaking Linc’s hand. “We were in the neighborhood anyway because Jill wants Montebello’s for dinner and they’re just outside of our delivery range.”

“Sophie will be ecstatic. Pizza is her favorite.”

“Where is the little princess?” Jill asked after planting a kiss in greeting on Linc’s cheek.

“Upstairs in her room. I think she’s still trying to decide what toys to take for her sleepover with Nana and Papa.”

A huge smile took over Jill’s face at the mention of her honorary title. “I’ll just pop up there and see if I can help.”

“So, big night, huh?” Mike said as Linc led him into the kitchen.

Linc grabbed two waters from the fridge, handing one over. “Yeah. One of the biggest.” He cracked the lid on the bottle and took a long pull.

“I know I’ve said it before, but I’m saying it again. I’m proud of you boys.”

Linc threw him a smile. “Thanks, Mike.”

“So, where’s your pretty fiancée?”

An unexpected punch hit Linc in the gut. He hated being deceitful to Emerson’s parents who had been nothing but kind to him, but the lawyer had cautioned that the fewer people who were in the know, the better.

Linc cleared his throat, not looking the man in the eyes when he answered, “Upstairs, still getting ready.”

“Good thing to know now, women are forevergetting ready.” He gave Linc a conspiratorial wink.

Hearing Jill’s voice, they migrated to the living room. Sophie had her packed suitcase at her feet and her favorite stuffed animal tucked under her arm.

“Looks like someone’s ready to go.” Linc knelt in front of Sophie. “Are you excited to spend the night at Nana and Papa’s?” She clasped Jill’s hand and Linc kissed her on the forehead. “Good.”

Movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention, and the sight of Nora walking down the stairs kept it. Fuck, she was a vision. Draped in a floor-length, gold sequin gown that plunged at the neckline and hugged every curve of her body, she glided down the stairs, one hand holding up the skirt of her dress revealing red, high-heeled strappy sandals fastened around the ankle. She’d done something fancy with her hair. The top was pulled up into a twist and held with rhinestone clips while the rest fell in a thick wave down her back and over her shoulders.

Linc slowly rose to his feet then rubbed a hand over his mouth to make sure he wasn’t drooling.

“Oh, Nora, you look absolutely beautiful.” Jill rushed over and gave Nora a hug then stepped back, smiling.

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