Something I knew she preferred.
A few of the brothers had tried to tell me not to wear it at all, but she liked it.
So that’s what I was doing.
I climbed the stairs to the third floor, then walked to her apartment, and knocked on the door.
Then I swapped the bouquet from hand to hand as I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans.
Then I sniffed myself.
I put on deodorant after I showered.
I sprayed on cologne.
This was me.
And she said,you.
‘I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect, and I loved you even more.’
– Nola’s Secret Thoughts.
Chapter 6
Nola
I eyed myself in the mirror one more time.
I had already done it almost twenty times.
I wanted to look good.
I wanted to look like the kind of woman who deserved to be on that man’s arm.
So, I had on my best dark-washed jeans, dark gray boots that have little buckles and laces on them that come up to my knees. I saw them earlier when I went shopping for an outfit, and I had to get them. I also had on a soft, well-loved white sweater. It was loose up top and tight at my waist. It also allowed for my shoulders to be exposed.
I had my long, dark hair in curls hanging down my back.
Diamond stud earrings, a gift from my parents for my sweet sixteen.
Light makeup.
I spritzed on some perfume as well.
That was when I heard the knock at my door.
Taking one more glance in the mirror, I inhaled a slightly shaky breath and then headed to my front door.
I lifted on my tiptoes and checked the peephole.
Seeing Xander standing there, I twisted the lock and then opened the door.
And the moment I got a good look at him, I wanted to melt into a puddle of mush.
I smiled, “Hey.”
He looked at me.