Page 79 of My Best Years

Yup, my house definitely smells like a combination of Lysol and linen.

Oh well, I guess it could be worse. It could smell like dude and dog. I leave the back door cracked open to let in some fresh air.

My heart feels like it’s threatening to beat out of my chest as I run my fingers through my hair, taming the wind-blown strands. Ollie trots beside me as I head for the door, his tail wagging in anticipation to greet our visitor.

It’s surreal to think that Ollie will be meeting Birdie for thefirst time tonight. He’s such an integral part of my life, just like her.

To each other, they’re strangers. But to me, they’re my everything.

“You ready to meet my favorite girl, Ollie?” I look down to see him panting with excitement.

“Me and her, we go way back. So you’ve got some competition tonight,” I arch a playful brow.

He pushes out an impatient whimper, eager to see who’s on the other side.

I clear my throat, inhale a shaky breath, and wrap my fingers around the brass knob. When the door swings open, all the air evades my lungs at the sight of Birdie.

My knees threaten to hit the floor along with my jaw.

Fuck me.

Holy fucking hell.

I want to bypass the burgers and eat her for dessert.

She’s wearing a short cotton dress that barely touches the tops of her tan thighs. It’s candy apple red with tiny white flowers printed along every inch. The dress hugs her trim waist, fitting her like a second skin. The front drops in a low V, showing off the curves of her round breasts.

My eyes skim down to her toned legs and land on her sandal-clad feet to find her toes painted ruby red. Her sun-kissed skin shimmers as if she brushed on actual glitter. It takes me back to freshman year at the Winter Formal. She looked ethereal that night. Like a real-life ice princess.

That was the night I went from loving Birdie to falling in love with her.

When I spun her around beneath the dim parking lot, her dress reflecting diamonds against the pavement like a mirror ball, I knew I would love her forever. I knew that she was it for me.

I lift my gaze, mesmerized by how her silken hair tumbles around her shoulders in golden waves. A lot has changed over the years, but her hair is still the exact same. Before I was old enough to understand what attraction was, I remember thinking her hair was prettier than the sun. Her sandy locks have always driven me crazy.

I still can’t believe she’s standing in front of me right now, less than a foot away from being inside my house.

“Birdie Wren.” My voice cracks as my eyes map every inch of her. “You look…”

I would be a fucking idiot to not acknowledge how sexy she looks.

“Damn,” I exhale, unable to hide my reaction. “You look stunning, Birdie. That dress on you,” I shake my head. “Wow.”

Her cheeks glow with pink flames, and her glossy lips turn up in a timid smile.

“I–”

She starts to speak but is abruptly cut off by Ollie excitedly jumping on her. Her eyes widen with alarm before she lets out a cute string of giggles.

“Calm down, Ollie,” I chuckle as he whips his tail back and forth. “Sit, buddy.”

He doesn’t listen to a word I say. He’s too busy bouncing up and down on his front paws while staring up at Birdie like she’s his treat jar.

Instead of backing away, Birdie drops down to her knees and takes Ollie’s furry face between her palms. He lets out a sound between a groan and a whimper as she scratches his head and ears.

The second her knees hit the hardwood floor, I drift into the alternative universe I’ve been living in for the past two weeks. The land of Birdie Wren. It’s as if Ollie disappears, leaving only me and Birdie in the entryway.

I flex my jaw, willing my dick to calm down at the sight of Birdie on her knees in front of me. Her low-cut dress gives me a direct view of her plump tits—the perfect handful. The tops of her breasts spill out over the fabric, and God, all I can think about it is–

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