Page 3 of Jilted
“I don’t recall offering to buy you lunch.” Brett put the car in gear and pulled out of the parking lot.
“It’s the least you can do considering I’m taking you out tonight.” She kept her gaze on Brett, watching the way he concentrated on the road, the way the strong line of his jaw softened when he smiled, and then winked at her.
Amy wondered what it would feel like to nibble on his jaw. Good Lord, she had to get a grip. Seriously, what the hell was wrong with her today?
“Well, when you put it like that.” He rolled his eyes. “Where do you want to go?”
“The realtor’s office is over on Grant, so why don’t we go to that new café on the corner of Thirty-one and Main?”
“Sounds good.” Brett turned right onto the Boulevard and headed toward the other end of town.
Amy settled into her seat and relaxed. Her thoughts wandered to Brett’s announcement from earlier. He was going to be on Dancing Duel. She truly was happy for him, but she knew that the show would keep him busy. They wouldn’t have much time to just hang out. Her shoulders slumped with sadness. She would miss Brett. Miss them and the time they spend together.
Chapter Two
“Amy? Are you ready?” Brett shouted as he walked into her house without knocking.
That wasn’t unusual for him. They both did it to the other. If, or when, they ever settled down, that kind of behavior would have to stop. Until then, he enjoyed the easy, relaxed nature of their friendship.
“Yeah, I’m ready.” Amy walked out of her room dressed in a knee length purple dress that was cut low in the front.
The plunging neckline drew his gaze to her breasts. He’d seen her in a fair share of skimpy dance costumes that showed off her cleavage and her curves, but none of them had ever fazed him like seeing her in this dress did. Maybe because she wasn’t in costume – she was just Amy— a sexy, gorgeous version of Amy that had him momentarily rethinking the whole platonic friendship thing. It wasn’t the first time his thoughts had wandered down this forbidden path, but it was the first time his thoughts and feelings had been this strong.
“What?” she asked, smoothing her hands down her stomach and hips. “Do I look bad? Is this dress too much? Should I go change?”
“No,” he blurted out a little too quickly. “No, you look great.”
“Then why are you staring at me like that?” She put her hands on her hips and glared at him.
Brett shook the inappropriate thoughts from his mind. Amy was his friend, his best friend, and sure, she was attractive as hell, but he was pretty sure she would laugh in his face if he ever told her how he really felt.
“I feel underdressed now,” he said, waving his hands down the length of his body.
He’d dressed in a pair of navy-blue slacks, a black silk, button up shirt, and a cerulean-blue tie. Gregorio’s was one of the fanciest Italian restaurants in the city, and there was a certain level of dress expected. He had no idea what kind of dress was normal or expected at the club. There were no doubts that Amy would fit right in, but he was starting to question his own wardrobe choice.
“You look fine, Brett. If anything, I’m overdressed.”
He smiled as an inappropriate comeback about helping her become undressed popped into his mind. Brett shook the thoughts away. “Okay, so I’m underdressed, you’re overdressed, and we’re going to be late if we don’t get going.”
Amy laughed. She grabbed a shawl from the foyer closet, draped it around her shoulders, and said, “Let’s get going then. I’m starving.”
“Me too.” Brett held out his arm, which Amy took, looping hers through his. He was looking forward to spending the evening with her.
Once outside, Brett opened the car door for her and helped her into the seat. As he made his way to the driver’s side, he blew out a breath and tried to calm himself. His hands were shaking – friggin’ shaking! He flexed his fingers several times before grabbing the door handle and getting in the car. The scent of Amy’s perfume assaulted his senses. Get a grip, Hudson!
They were silent for a long while, which was unusual for them. It wasn’t awkward, just a little weird. He kept glancing at her, hoping she didn’t notice how strange he was acting. But damn...had Amy always been so hot?
His gaze dropped to her legs, and he devoured them with his eyes. Most men were either ass men or breast men. Brett was a leg man. And Amy had a great pair of legs. Long, slender, muscular. When he watched her dance, which he did a lot more than he cared to admit, he always focused on her legs. The way she moved, it was always so graceful, elegant...sexy.
“Brett?”
The sound of her voice snapped him from his thoughts. “What?”
She laughed. “You’re a million miles away. What’s up?”
He looked over at her and smiled. “Nothing, guess I’m just thinking about the show and everything I have to do.”
“No.” She turned in her seat and pointed at him. “No worrying about the show or the studio or anything else. We’re here to have fun tonight. Got it?”
