Page 13 of (Un)Expected

I shot her a look. “You love me too much for that.”

“Don’t test that theory,” she answered, shaking her head as she looked in the mirror at my reflection. “Take that off. It doesn’t work at all.”

I sighed, dropping down on her bed. The plush mattress instantly enveloped me, making me long for my own bed. I grabbed one of her satin-covered pillows, pulling it over my face.

This whole night, I hadn’t felt like me. It was like someone else invaded my body and was forcing me out of my happy comfortbubble. Once upon a time, I’d put hours into my hair and makeup, coordinating picture-perfect outfits to match the occasion. My top priorities were my reputation and making connections, but that life came with unlimited strings, ties to places and people, ones I had no problem cutting once I moved up here.

Now, I was a creature of simple routines, enjoying my solitude too much to give up a quiet evening for a potentially awkward dinner date. I’d tried dating apps, but all they’d left me with was a headache. Honestly, it was easier to accept being alone than to put myself out there.

Besides, my last relationship left me with enough scars to last a lifetime. I wasn’t in a rush to give my bruised and tattered heart away again.

Calla plopped down next to me, nudging me with her elbow. “What’s really going on in that big brain of yours?”

I groaned, dropping the pillow down to my chest. When I sat up, I cradled the thing like a safety net. “I don’t know how to do this.”

“Which part?”

“All of it,” I quietly answered. “It feels like every time I go on a date, I’m so uncomfortable that I end up spouting some useless knowledge or something equally ridiculous. Then, I end up counting the minutes until it’s over, hating that I’ve wasted an evening when I could have been at home actually enjoying myself. I have to see this guy every day, Calla. Your mom made it clear that his happiness is my main priority. What am I going to do if this goes terribly wrong?” My eyes drop down to my trembling hands. “What if he realizes I’m basically a hermit who uses the word fuck like a comma? Adam Rice doesnotdate women like me, Calla.”

Calla laughed, standing up and pulling my hand. She brought me in front of the mirror, placing her chin on my shoulder. “Listen, I know it’s hard, but for tonight, I want you to try to let go of all that. Enjoy the moment for once. Even if it goes badly, I know you. You’d never let it interfere with your job.” She squeezes my shoulders lightly. “But Alex, this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing. You don’tpass those opportunities up, and I’d be a shitty friend if I let you.” She twisted me, leaving her hands on my shoulders as she stared into my eyes. “Promise me that you’ll have some fun tonight.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re asking a lot here.”

She smiled back at me. “Well, it’s a good thing that you love me and will do whatever it takes to make me happy. For tonight, that means you’re going out with one of the sexiest men alive.” She snapped her fingers. “Now, try on that blue dress I laid out. We’re going to make sure you take Adam’s breath away.”

FIVE

Twenty minutes later, I stood in the side parking lot, waiting for Adam to arrive. As I tried not to stare at the path to the guest villas, I fidgeted with the hem of my dress. By some sort of miracle, Calla found something in her closet that fit me properly.

The light blue sundress waseverything. The sweetheart top was held up by delicate straps that showed off the golden tan I’d gotten over the past few months, and the flowing skirt stopped right above my knees. My favorite part, though, was the eyelet design. They were sewn into the linen fabric with such care, I wondered if it was handmade.

After much convincing, Calla let me wear my white slip-ons instead of the heels she picked out. She could dress me up and put as much product in my hair as she wanted, but I drew the line at those death traps. I had enough trouble staying on my own two feet without the additional three inches strapped to my ankle.

I touched my light curls, running my fingers through the loose ringlets. I hated to admit it, but Calla was a master with a curling iron. It was probably due to her experience with two older sisters, but I was happy to reap the benefits. My unruly waves had been tamedinto slick tendrils cascading down my back. It made me feel beautiful, especially when they whipped up in the night breeze.

“Holy shit.”

The whispered words came from over my shoulder, making me turn to meet Adam’s stare. His gaze trailed down the length of my body before rising again to meet my eyes. He rubbed his hand over the stubble on his chin, barely hiding his wide grin. “Wow, Alex. I think I’m lost for words.”

“It’s going to be a long night then,” I chuckled, trying to fight the unease brewing in my chest.

He laughed, ducking his head down. “What I meant to say is that you look beautiful, Alex. I’m so glad you agreed to go out with me.”

“I doubt many people turn down an invitation fromtheAdam Rice.”

He cringed at my words. As I was about to apologize, he took a step closer, lowering his voice. “For tonight, I want to leave all that behind us. I’m just Adam, a man who cannot believe he’s lucky enough to take you out. Nothing else matters.”

My cheeks blushed, unable to hold back my grin. Unsure what to say, I nodded toward the parking lot. “Did you have somewhere in mind for dinner?”

He shook his head. “So far, I’ve only been to that giant superstore at the edge of town and that fishing spot,” he smirked. “I’m trusting your judgment.”

I smiled, instantly knowing where we should go. There weren’t many good places to eat in town, even fewer that weren’t mobbed with tourists during the long summer nights, but if you’ve lived here long enough, you learned the hidden treasures, the ones we save for ourselves.

Which, for tonight, sounded perfect.

I led Adam toward my car, trying not to cringe when my busted blue Jeep Wrangler came into view. It was the first car I bought for myself, and I loved her, even with all her bumps and bruises. I was fiercely defensive of old Bertha, but Adam set all my nerveson fire. As he came to her side, I grimaced. “Sorry, I know this isn’t what you’re used to.”

“Don’t worry about me,” Adam said. “My first car was a Honda Civic with a hole in the roof. This is a luxury compared to that junker.”

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