Page 90 of Rival Summer

"Come on, come on," I said to no one, jamming the key into the ignition. Tires screeched against asphalt as I peeled out of the parking lot, hoping traffic on the way would be kind to me just this once.

TWENTY-NINE

chandler

I gasped,almost choking on hairspray as Willow was getting ready in the bathroom. The counter was a mess of curling irons and mascara wands. She paused her eyeliner in mid-stroke and let out a sigh. "I can't believe we're already at the end of summer.”

"Tell me about it," I replied, leaning against the doorway. "I always say it flies, but this one really did." I caught her reflection in the mirror—eyes bright, lips curved in a knowing smile.

She twisted a lock of her curly blonde hair around her finger. "Who would've thought I'd be going to the ball with your brother?"

"Oh, I had a feeling," I said, rolling my eyes playfully at her through the mirror.

"Can you blame me?" she teased, her cheeks glowing with a flush of excitement. "He's hot, funny, a badass catcher."

"Please stop before I get sick right here," I groaned, half-serious and half-amused by her recent infatuation with Parker.

Despite my happiness for her, there was also a twinge of disappointment there. I was genuinely happy for her, yes, but I couldn’t ignore the fact that I wasn’t going to the ball. Half of theexcitement was getting ready, and getting picked up by the hot guy.

A knock at the front door echoed through her apartment, signaling that it was time for her to go. "That's got to be Parker," I called out to Willow, who was adding the last touches to her makeup. "Finish getting ready and make your grand entrance when you're done."

"All of my entrances are grand," she teased.

I made my way to the door, ready to tease Parker with some kind of joke about whatever he was wearing, like usual. However, Parker wasn’t on the other side of the door. It was Bailey, looking unexpectedly dapper in a suit. Something I would never admit aloud to anyone.

"Ugh, can we help you?" I asked.

Bailey's response came with an easy smile and a wink. "I can do you one better, darlin'," he drawled. "I'm gonna take you to the ball."

I couldn't contain my laughter. "Absolutely not. You can go on your way now." I started to close the door, but Bailey was quicker, wedging his foot firmly in the gap.

"Please," he said softly, in a way that made me pause, then added, "We can go as friends. Heck, I'll even wear a sign that says 'platonic dates' if that'll sell it for you."

My mouth quivered into a reluctant grin. I wasn’t sure what Bailey was up to, but if he didn’t have a date then going to the ball as friends was a better plan than sitting in bed and eating ice cream all night.

"Fine," I sighed, giving Bailey a stern look. "But if you try anything funny, or so much as think about touching my butt, I will pepper spray you. I carry it in my purse. It looks like lipstick, and I'm not afraid to use it."

Bailey held his hands up in surrender, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile that was trying hard not to turn into a full-blown grin. "I come in peace," he assured me.

Opening the door wider, I motioned toward the living room. "Fine. I guess I need to get ready, then. You’re welcome to wait on the couch."

As soon as the word “couch” slipped past my lips, Bailey recoiled as if I had suggested he sit on a bed of nails. He hissed dramatically. "Have I ever told you how much I hate couches? Especially ones that turn into beds."

From the bathroom, Willow's laughter echoed through the apartment. She would forever be responsible for Bailey's aversion to sleeper sofas, which was still endlessly hilarious.

"That couch doesn't turn into a bed, you're in the clear," I assured him, rolling my eyes at the absurdity.

"How do you not have a date?" I asked before I could stop myself.

He laughed. "I lost ‘em both, Chan."

"Both?" I asked.

"Both of my dates." He shrugged as though it was nothing more than a minor miscalculation. "Figured two was better than one, but they didn’t think so when they found out. You know how it goes."

"I’m not sure I do," I said, unable to stop a smile.

Bailey grinned. "Hey, I learn from my mistakes! Women want me all to themselves, I get it."

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