Page 20 of The Proposal
“Don’t talk to me like that.” She drops a load of colorful fabrics on the counter. “Negative energy isn’t welcome here.”
“I’m sorry.”
She blows a lock of hair out of her face and sits on the edge of a footstool. “I’m glad you’re as far behind as I am with getting ready.”
“How long has it been?”
“Since I was up here, and we agreed to leave in an hour? Forty-five minutes.”
“Shit.”
She laughs. “It’s fine. I think Brock knew better and made the reservations for later to begin with. I don’t know what I was thinking, giving usan hourto get ready. Did I forget who we are?”
I eye the dresses filling the basin. “So how many have you narrowed it down to?”
“Four.”
I snort.
She pulls out an emerald-green garment. “I love this color, and this cut is great on me, but I’m not sure it’sbirthday festive. It might be moreholiday party.” She holds it against her body. “Thoughts? Opinions?”
“That’s definitely Christmas with acquaintances.”
“That’s what I thought.” She trades it for a canary-yellow option. “What about this one?”
I hum in thought. “That’s more beach vacation, I think.”
“Dammit. You’re right.” She picks up a black dress with a bit of sparkle. “I really like this one.”
I run my hands through the water, ensuring the bubbles cover my bits. “Me too. And you are always hot in black. But what else did you bring?”
“This.” She holds up a red number that I know from previous outings looks incredible on her. “I love this one too. But I feel super bloated today, and I’m not sure how it really looks. I tried them all on for Brock, but he was no help at all.”
“I bet he was absolutely riveted about the dress options with you standing naked in front of him.”
Ella shrugs. “You do make a valid point.”
“Try on the black and the red ones for me. We’ll see which one makes you feel the prettiest.”
Relief washes across her face. “You’re the greatest.”
“I know.”
We exchange a smile as she strips off Brock’s T-shirt.Modesty left this friendship months ago.
“So,” she says, grinning. “How was it with Renn?”
I smile, sinking even deeper into the water.
“Go. Put some distance between us. Now.”
“Oh, it was fine,” I say, hoping I can blame my blush on the water.
“It was fine, my ass. Things are neverfinewith the two of you unless that means on the verge of fornication.”
I laugh. The movement causes a wave of bath water to roll into my open mouth, choking me.
Ella laughs harder. “See? God knew you were about to lie to me and stopped you.”
