Page 7 of My Always One

At nearly ten p.m., Marshal pulls his truck into a parking spot on the street and leans my way. “Do you want me to tell Todd you’ve found someone better than Speedy Gonzales?”

“I’d rather not talk to Todd at all.”

Marshal reaches for my hand. “Deal.”

* * *

Saturday night, I step from Rita’s bedroom, smoothing my dress. It’s red and short and fits in all the right places. The shoes I’m wearing aren’t mine. I found them in Rita’s closet, and after a quick text to my friend, she said I could wear them. They’re tall and slender. I figure since Marshal is taller than Josh, why not wear tall heels?

“Oh hell to the no.”

I look up at my best friend.

He’s freshly shaved. The sparse beard he was sporting when he arrived is gone, showing off his chiseled jawline. His light brown hair is combed back, and as my gaze lowers, I see his suit fits him like a glove. I haven’t seen Marshal dressed up since our high school graduation, and I have to admit, he’s changed. I mean that in a good way.

“Hey, your tie is red.”

He shakes his head. “Nope. This” —he motions up and down at me— “is not going out of this apartment.”

Looking down at myself and back up, I laugh as I step closer to him and grab his hand. “I love your big brother side...now shut up and be a best friend.”

“First, you know Byron wouldn’t let you out that door wearing that, and as for best friends, best friends don’t let best friends go out into the world looking hotter than a six-alarm fire.”

“Do fires have that many alarms?”

“Fuck, Sami.”

“You look hot too, Marshal. We’ll wow them together.”

“If any other guy so much as gets close to you...”

I can’t suppress my smile. “I think I know why Josh was good with you as my date.” My phone rings from a distance, on the charger in the kitchen. As I go to answer it, Marshal reaches for my hand. I stop and look up at him.

“You look good, Sami.”

“Thanks, so do you.”

The screen saysJosh.

I hit the green icon. “Hi.”

“I’m sorry I’m not there.”

“Don’t worry about it. How is the weekend going?”

“Good, I think.”

“What about the other candidate?”

“First, damn, Sam. That picture. You’re gorgeous.”

My eyes sparkle as I look at Marshal. “Don’t tell me I look too good to go out. I’ve already heard that.”

“You have?” He laughs. “Is Marshal there?”

“Yeah.” I grin. “I’m looking at him right now.”

“Hand him the phone.”

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