Page 43 of Challenged By You
“And you’re amazing,” she defends loyally.
“But I’m not just me. He could have anyone. What is it about me?” Suddenly all my fears come rushing out. “Jonas is a wonderful person, and I can’t deny there’s this simmering attraction between us. He’s seen the most provoking parts of my life in the last few weeks, and nothing fazes him other than worry about how much strain I’m under.”
“I liked him before. Now I really like him.”
My lips curve as I reach out and finger the sleeve of a jersey dress that screams anticipation. “The thing is he hasn’t backed away. Slowly, he’s embedding himself deeper into me.”
“T, isn’t that a good thing?’ Elle rests next to the dress I’m leaning toward for this date.
“I don’t know. When we found about everything with Will, I was furious.”
“I was too. With both him and Erik.”
“Didn’t you feel foolish? I know I did because I didn’t see it sooner.”
“Since I lived that nightmare right alongside you, I understand better than anyone else.” Her hand smooths up and down over the robe I’m wearing. “What is it, T?”
“Something tells me Jonas isn’t the kind of man I’ll recover from if I get involved with him,” I confess.
Her hand stills. “I don’t know whether to offer to stay two days, to grab you a glass of wine for you to pound really quick to loosen you up, or simply to tell you to take the chance you deserve.”
“God, not the wine. I’m already nauseous. I don’t want to puke the minute I see him.”
Without saying a word, Elle plucks a final hanger off the wall. “Deciding what I’m going to wear now?” I drawl sarcastically as she turns to add the dress to the bag on the bed. Funny enough, she left me with my own little black dress to wear. Dropping the robe where I stand, I slip it off the hanger and step into it, tugging the one sleeve up. I turn my back in time for Elle to zip me up. I adjust angle of the cowl neck so it falls almost to the elbow of one side. “So, we ended up with my wearing the same dress I had in my closet,” I laugh.
“That’s because I realize he’s worth seeing you in it.”
“What do you mean?” I reach down and slide into a pair of strappy sandals with a heel that won’t catch in every crack and crevice of New York City sidewalks.
“That dress exposes the real you, Trina.” At my confused look, she continues. “While it’s brilliantly, simple, it’s no less sexy for it. You’re captivating, and alluring. The man who earns your attention had better understand what he’s getting and what he stands to lose.”
I swallow hard, desperate not to ruin my makeup. “I don’t often feel that way. Not anymore.”
“And my job as your best friend is to remind you of it.” Elle hands me a pair of silver studs that complement the outfit without overwhelming it. They were her gift to me for graduating pastry school. I smile as I slip them in, knowing she has a matching pair at home. Just as I finish fiddling with the last back of the second earring, I hear a knock at the door.
“Are you ready?” she asks quietly, as she moves to pick up the bag with dresses.
Am I? After spending weeks getting to know Jonas, I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready, but I know I’ll regret missing this opportunity more if I don’t take the chance.
Without another word, having said goodbye to the twins before I got dressed, I make my way to the door. Taking a quick peek out, I see the back of his dark wavy hair. I let out a slow breath as I undo each of the locks, then swing the door inward.
“Hi,” I greet him. He spins around. And I can’t say I’m not gratified by the shock and awe on his face as his gaze roams me from head to toe. “You’re right on time.”
Chapter 16
Jonas
Iknow my jaw unhinges at the sight of Trina when she opens her door. This isn’t the brilliant chef, or the amazing mother, or the woman I’ve come to admire and respect.
This woman is a siren.
The simple black jersey of her dress falls off one shoulder almost all the way down to her elbow. With slim-fitting sleeves to the wrist, the only shape it has is provided by her own curves. I’m fervently blessing the designer for stopping the dress inches above her knees.
“Wow” is all I can manage with my tongue stuck to my mouth. I hold out the first of two items in my hands, waiting for her reaction. She backs in to allow me into her foyer.
“Hey,” Elle calls from the bedroom, careful not to say my name so Trina and I can make a clean escape.
“Hey back!” I reply, but my focus is on Trina, who’s turning the jar of pickles with a bow and a note that reads, “You’re kind of a big dill,” over and over. I’m gratified when she bursts into laughter.
