Page 37 of And Then There Was Us
“Okay.” Hugh’s mind raced. He had a great idea for their first date, but it would require pulling some major strings, and it was a weekend, which meant he needed to also collect on most of the favors owed to him—and then some. “How about I pick you up at seven thirty? What time do you need to be back?”
She didn’t answer.
“Bree?”
He read her answer in her silence. “Oh. Okay, then. I’ll see you at seven thirty. Hey?”
“Yeah?” Her voice was tentative, and Hugh imagined her tucking her hair behind her ear, looking away with her gorgeous eyes.
“No pressure here. Just because we can doesn’t mean we have to.” Hugh never imagined he’d be the kind of guy who would say anything even remotely similar to that. His feelings for Brianna were peeling away layers of his old self, and he liked the man who was emerging.
BRIANNA STARED INTO her closet. “Come on. Come on. Come on,” she said as she sifted through her clothes. She pulled open her dresser drawers and stared at the jeans she’d been wearing for three years. The same sweaters, the same blouses. She finally threw her hands up in the air and called Kat.
“What do girls wear on dates nowadays?” She paced the bedroom floor.
“You’re going out with Patrick—Hugh?”
“Uh-huh.”
Kat squealed so loud that Brianna had to pull the phone away from her ear.
Chapter Seventeen
HUGH HADN’T PLANNED a date since his high school prom, and even then his sister had helped him do most of the planning. He called in favors, groveled, and paid three times what he should have, but it would all be worth it. He hoped tonight would be a night that Brianna would never forget.
His heart thundered in his chest as he took the steps two at a time up to Brianna’s apartment.Why am I so nervous?He took a deep breath and adjusted the gifts he’d brought before knocking at the door.
She opened the door, and Hugh lost his breath as he raked his eyes slowly down the navy blue minidress that hugged her breasts and hips like a second skin. Blousy sleeves cuffed at the wrist, and a simple neckline ignited the perfect combination of naughty and nice. The dress stopped midthigh, revealing her long, lean legs and ending in a pair of sexy black heels.
“Brianna, you arestunning.”
She dropped her eyes in that embarrassed, adorable way she had, and Hugh juggled the gifts to free his hand. He lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes. Some people wore their hearts on their sleeves. Brianna hid hers in her eyes, and Hugh had spotted it the first night they’d gone for coffee. “I’m right here, not down there.” He kissed her softly, lingering with his lips against hers for a moment longer to make up for the time they’d been apart.
“What is all this?” She dropped her eyes to the package and flowers in his hands.
“These are for you.” He handed her a bouquet of red roses.
“Thank you.” She took the flowers, and Hugh followed her inside, closing the door behind him. “These are gorgeous, Hugh. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I never do things because I have to.” He watched her put the flowers in a vase; then he handed her a large silver box covered with glitter and a big silver bow. “This is for Layla. You don’t have to give it to her until you’ve decided about me, and if you decide we’re not right for each other, then you can say it’s from you. I didn’t put a card in it.”
“Hugh.” She shook her head. “She doesn’t need anything more.”
“I know she doesn’t.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. “But sometimes girls need things just because, and how could I leave here in good conscience knowing she’d see the flowers and feel left out?”
She touched his cheek and he turned his face to her hand and kissed her palm. “You really are too much,” she said.
“No. I’m just treating you both how you should be treated. Are you ready?”
“Yeah. Let me just get my purse.” She grabbed a small black bag from the counter.
“Do you have your phone?”
“Yes.” She furrowed her brow.
“Is it on? Loud?”
She smiled. “Yes, of course. Thank you for remembering.”
