Page 57 of Pinky Promises

“Hey, you know I don’t have to do this, right. I can tell Lexi that I can’t do it. I mean, I’m not technically a bachelor anymore.”

“No, I know this cause is important to you. It’s important to me, too. The rest of it is just semantics. Eva may not have been my mom, but she did give me the most important person in my life, so I want you to do this still.” I press a kiss to her temple. “Plus, if you bail last minute, I’m pretty sure Lex would have your balls in a vise.” She hides her smile by shoving another bite of food in her mouth.

I bellow out a chuckle that causes her body to vibrate with our closeness. “If I don’t get this to her soon, I’m pretty sure she will anyways. I’m kind of drawing a blank, honestly, on what to do. I mean, people are legit paying money for this. I don’t want someone to pay two grand, and I selected pizza and beer for the date.” I don’t technically see an issue with that date, but this is a classy event. I want to bring in as much money as possible for this charity.

“Wow, that’s cute that you think someone will pay that much for you.”

My hand flies to my chest in shock, and my mouth gapes open. “That hurts, B. But help me come up with something.”

“Hmm.” Her mouth twitches side to side.

“I once read a book where two people were set up on a date with a boudoir photo shoot. It was hot as hell.” Her skin flushes, and my mind drifts back to the sexy photos I had found in her nightstand.

I tilt my head, giving her a stern look.Come on.But the thought of doing that date with Brynn has my cock hardening underneath her. If Brynn was that sexy in her solo shoot, I’m pretty sure doing one together would be borderline pornographic. They would probably need the fire department on standby to spray us off with the hose.

“Although the heroine of that book also got pregnant from that event, so maybe not a good idea. That’s more of a Hadley thing.”

When I give no indication of wanting to go with that idea, she smirks. “Right, okay, moving on. How about a couple’s cooking class?”

I shrug. I guess that could be fun. Again, my mind immediately thinks about standing at the island, with Brynn by my side cooking, bringing the spoon of food to her lips to taste before sealing my lips to hers to get my own taste. No matter what idea I come up with, all I can do is see Brynn being there with me.

Maybe I should just let Lexi pick something out and be done with it.

“Well, back to my original question, what is the perfect date to you?”

“A bookstore.”

She says it so matter-of-factly, and I arch my brow for her to keep talking. A bookstore is a place, not an actual date.

“I think my perfect date would be simple. Take me to a bookstore, we could grab a coffee and chat, but then he lets me pick some books out and then buys them all—not judging my choices.”

“You are such a nerd.”A very sexy book nerd. All that’s missing is the sexy librarian glasses.

She pinches my nipple through my shirt, and I wince.

“Whatever. Fine, figure out your date on your own.”

I save that date idea in the back of my mind, though. Brynn’s birthday is coming up soon, and that sounds like the perfect idea to surprise her with.

“I don’t mean to change the subject, but I forgot to tell you, today I found the perfect dress to wear to your father’s party.”

“Are you sure we have to go?” Every year, my father hosts a lavish affair forno reason at all—it’s just an excuse for him to show off.I had hoped that Brynn would have forgotten about it. It’s the only time of year we travel back to Havenwood, which is one too many visits if you ask me. At least this time, we are bringing Ben, Lexi, Asher, and Hadley with us. If one of us has to suffer through, we all will. We don’t even go back during the holidays since both of our parents always travel to avoid spending it with us.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t we?” She leans forward, setting the empty container on the table before relaxing back against me.

Oh, I don’t know, because it didn’t go so well the last time I was around him and have been avoiding him ever since?But I don’t say that at all. Instead, I go with another reason. “I don’t know. I’d just rather not dress up like a penguin, drive all the way there just to kiss ass all night.” I find it a little strange that she is so excited to attend, but I think the driving force behind her excitement may be her new dress.

“We’re not driving. You know that we already ordered a car service.”

“You have a response to every excuse, don’t you?”

“Yup.”

“Okay,” I grumble. “Fine, you win.”

“As for the penguin suit and kissing ass, if it helps, I find you incredibly sexy wearing clothes like this.” Brynn tugs at my T-shirt collar. “But I really,” she drags out, “love when you dress up in a suit.”

“Well, shit, when you say things like that, it makes me want to walk around the apartment in a tux.”

---