Page 46 of Beautiful Dreamer

“Wear a dress. That one,” KC said, pointing at the soft blueoff-the-shoulder number she’d bought on sale at Drew’s Dresses and More. Shestill didn’t know why she’d fallen for that impulse buy. She’d never worn thething. Not once.

Elizabeth shook her head. “You know I don’t do dresses well. Iwish I did. I like them.”

“We’ve been over this. You look amazing in dresses but refuse tobelieve me.”

Elizabeth blinked, trying to be open minded and accept herfriend’s advice. She raised one shoulder. “I guess it can’t hurt to try it onagain.” Her phone buzzed from its spot on the bathroom counter. She glanced atthe text message on her screen. Dexter.

Need snax.Coming over.

“Fabulous. Now Dex is on his way over.” She hadn’t finished thesentence before she heard her fridge crack open in the kitchen. “Correction.He’s already come through my backyard and is now eating my food withoutpreamble.”

KC lit up. “Oh. Do you have those little cheeses?” She didn’t waitfor a response, heading off toward the front of the house to find out forherself. With a deep breath, Elizabeth pulled the casual blue dress off thehanger. Six minutes later, she made her way to her living room where Dexter andKC were huddled over a cheese tray.

“What do you guys think of this?”

Dexter paused mid-cracker bite. KC held the cheese knife andturned.

Dexter whistled. “Whoa. Who is this alluring woman?” He turned toKC. “What is happening? Why is my brain melting?”

“Told you,” KC said. “You never listen to me.” She turned toDexter. “Does she ever listen to me?”

Dexter looked caught. “I don’t even know who this person is, so,no?” KC knocked him in his chest. “No,” he said, more firmly. “And she should.Damn. You’re killin’ it in that dress, Liz.”

Warmth infused her cheeks. “It’s just a simple dress.”

“That shows off your legs.” KC shook her head. “How do you havethose legs and rarely display them? I’d pay off God for those legs.”

Elizabeth looked down at them now, feeling lighter. Pretty, even.She smiled. “You really think so?”

Dexter sat forward. “I’m gonna abstain from commenting so I’m notthe creepy straight dude checking out his friend, but listen to KC. Write downeverything she says.”

Elizabeth came farther into the room and stole a small piece ofstrawberry Havarti. “Thanks, Dex.”

KC threw her hands up in the air as if tragically ignored.

Elizabeth kissed her cheek. “And thank you, Kace-Face.”

“Welcome,” KC said, grinning up at her. She slapped her ass. “Nowgo woo your woman.”

That caught Dexter’s attention. “Who’s the woman? The grocerystore chick with the spiky hair? Or are we talking Thalia again?”

“Devyn Winters,” KC supplied, smoothly.

Without missing a beat, his face morphed into an impressivesmolder. “Hit it.”

Elizabeth sighed. “I will not be presumptuous about tonight. Notmy style. I will hope that we have a fantastic time together. That is all.” Sheturned back to her bedroom, intent on adding the tiniest bit of curl to her hairand maybe a touch of makeup.

“Hit it,” Dexter said again, in a deeper voice.

She swallowed back a laugh, because that actually didn’t soundlike an awful idea.

* * *

Devyn arrived in front of Elizabeth’s home five minutes after shewas scheduled to pick her up for their date. It was a tactic she’d employedwhen showing up to any negotiating table: keep them waiting on you. Stay justbeyond their reach, and they’ll want the deal all the more. While she wasn’tsure it extended into her love life, or anyone’s for that matter, she’d arrivedlate out of habit. With a final adjustment to her jeans, white sleevelessblouse, and purple and peach Chanel scarf, she knocked on the door withconfidence.

Which was short-lived.

When Elizabeth opened the door, she blinked. And blinked somemore.

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