Page 125 of Mr. Charming

“How skimpy is the thong?” he asks when I open the door.

“Would you rather I go without?”

“Fuck no, because then I’ll out us before we even get into the venue.”

I laugh and take his hand, pulling him across my apartment.

Lyric is already out of the bedroom. She and Decker stand awkwardly by the kitchen island.

“Okay, Tweetie, here’s your date and my friend, Lyric.” I bring Tweetie to my side and display my hands like Vanna White. “Lyric, Tweetie Sorenson.”

Tweetie gives her a nod. “Don’t touch me tonight.”

“Well, this is going to be fun.” She eyes Decker before grabbing her coat off the hook by the front door. “At least I got a great dress out of it.” She shoots me a reassuring smile.

I gave her the whole lowdown of how Tweetie’s not really on board with this fake date thing so she could be understanding when his rare bear side emerges.

I slip my shoes on, and Tweetie grabs my coat, holding it out for me. “Thanks.” I give him a smile.

The entire time walking out of my apartment and climbing into the car Tweetie ordered for us tonight, Tweetie is tense. His back is straight, and he’s not nearly the charming guy he normally is.

Part of me feels guilty. “If you’d rather not do this?—”

He holds up his hand. “It’s fine. You’re not going to lose your job because of me,” he grumbles.

“I’d rather lose my job than make you this uncomfortable.”

He takes my hand and squeezes it. “It’s one night.”

I look at Decker. “Keep Lyric company if this one abandons her”—I nod in Tweetie’s direction—“and I get pulled off to chat about something work-related, okay?” I don’t want her to have a shitty time. Plus, maybe Decker and Lyric will hit it off.

Decker nods, a half-smile forming as though he might like that idea.

We pull up to the venue, and I give Tweetie one more long kiss, then rub my lipstick from his lips. “I love you.”

I move to get out of the car, but Tweetie tightens his grip on me. I turn around and he releases a long breath, then lets go of my hand. “I love you so much.”

“I know,” I say.

The door opens, and I accept a hand from the driver and step out of the limo. Decker steps out after me, and I hook my arm through his, the two of us walking into the venue.

We manage to get through the doors and check our coats before someone grabs my hand and turns me around.

“Saige!” I smile at my oldest friend and look around, noticing the rest of our friends from Florida.

She tugs me away from the group. “Yeah, yeah, you can say your hellos after you tell me what the hell is going on.”

“Tweetie!” the Florida guys all shout.

I take one glimpse over my shoulder to see he’s left Lyric with Decker, and he’s being swarmed by all of his old teammates. Then my gaze snags on Kane and Jana, standing off to the side and watching it all. I really hope they can mend this rift at some point.

Saige tugs me away from the group. “What is going on? Please explain to me why Tweetie is posting a picture of your tattoo. Are you guys back together? I’m assuming no since he showed up with some blonde on his arm?” She crosses her arms, her eyes spitting fire.

“You look gorgeous,” I say.

She nods, then glares. “Start talking.”

I laugh and tell her we’re back together and everything that happened to get us there. Then I explain the Bud thing and how I don’t want to lose my job.

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