Page 103 of Best Kept Secret
“Hey, come on up!” I respond, pressing the button to let them in.
Running back down the hall, I take one last look at the space, my gaze landing on the table. Fuck. I run around the sofa, making quick work of removing one of the settings, carrying everything into the kitchen and tossing it into one of cabinets under the island. Flustered, I pause, taking a big breath right as there’s a knock on the door.
I check my phone one last time, not surprised to see no newmessages. Tucking my hair behind my ear, I school my composure and head back down the hallway to answer the door.
Emily enters first, fawning all over me. “Oh, my God, look at you, pretty. I didn’t realize we were dressing up!”
I look down at myself, dressed in a cute little dress that, in hindsight, is probably a little over the top for dinner at home with my brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law, but I wanted to look nice and totally put together to deliver the news. But now, seeing Emily dressed in jeans and a sweater, and my brother wearing sweats and a flannel shirt, I realize I didn’t exactly think this through.
“Oh, yeah,” I say with a light, obviously nervous laugh, looking down at myself again, thinking of a lie. “I met a friend for lunch and… haven’t changed yet.”
“Are you good?” Dallas looks at me like he can tell something is up.
“Yeah.” I shrug, adding another, more nervous laugh.
He wraps an arm around me, hugging me before letting himself inside.
I close the door, trailing them, shaking my head at myself. Get it together, Millie.
“Where’s Logan tonight?” Emily asks, placing her purse down onto the side table.
“Um, I have no idea,” I say quickly,andunfortunatelynot a lie.
“Hot date.” Dallas chuckles, wandering across to the glass door and walking out onto the balcony.
Turning, I walk through to the kitchen, pulling a face at his quip. “Do you guys want a drink?”
“Beer me,” Dallas calls from outside.
“I BYO’d knowing you hate wine!” Emily smiles, walking into the kitchen holding a glass of rosé.
“Oh, I actually got some, just for you,” I say, opening the fridge to show her the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc I picked up from the liquor store today.
“Aw, you’re too sweet.” She wraps her arm around me, squeezing me tight.
I get to work, grabbing Dallas a beer, a wine glass for Emily, and pouring myself a tequila and soda because Bud Light is just not going to cut it for the state of my nerves right now.
“Hey, are you sure you’re okay?” Emily comes up beside me, nudging me with her hip.
I swallow around the lump in my throat, nodding, but not looking at her. “Yeah, I’m fine.”Lie. My gaze flits to my phone on the counter. Still nothing. My stomach twists.
“What’s for dinner?”
I look up as Dallas walks inside, coming up to the island. Handing him his beer, I offer him a sweet smile. “Juicy prime rib—thatyou’regonna cook.”
“Was this your plan all along?” he guffaws, taking the beer from me. “Invite me over for dinner just so I can cook?”
“I mean, why else would I invite you over,” I retort.
Emily laughs.
Taking a swig from his beer, Dallas shakes his head. “Zero out of five stars, do not recommend,” he sasses, walking around the island to where I have the pan ready to go on the cooktop.
With a conspiratorial wink, Emily holds her wine glass up at me in cheers, and I force a smile I hope appears genuine, clinking my glass with hers.
“Do you know when you start with SNN?” Emily asks.
“Not yet,” I say, cutting into my perfectly cooked medium-rare steak. “I’m waiting for the contract to come through, but probably the next week or two.”
