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With that, Linnea bounded up the stairs and Chloe got right to it. She poured herself a glass of the fruit-infused wine just as the doorbell rang. Like a whirlwind she brought in the groceries, prepped the food for the grill, arranged candles all around the patio, and turned the music up on the outdoor speakers. By the time Linnea came back downstairs Chloe was straining chickpeas to make hummus.
Whew!
“Don’t you look adorable?”
Linnea appeared in a cute and casual tank-style dress that hugged her body just right. Chloe couldn’t have picked out a better outfit for Kyan to see her in. She smiled, satisfied, because her plan was coming together even better than she had hoped—so far anyway.
“This? Um, thanks.” Linnea glanced down and shrugged as if the dress were nothing special—as if she were nothing special. She was gorgeous, and everyone saw it except her.
Chloe couldn’t understand why Linnea didn’t see herself for the beautiful person she was—inside and out. And she was determined to make her see it. She looked at the time. The guys would be here soon.
Shit!
“My turn to change. I’ll be back in a jiffy.” Chloe drained the sangria from her glass and raced up the stairs.
Whatever happened tonight was going to be the start of something or the end of something that never really started—for her and for Linnea. Chloe hoped it was the start of something wonderful, that Jesse meant what he’d said. She stepped beneath the spray of hot water.
I know exactly what I want. You.
She had never gotten ready so fast in her life. Chloe showered, primped, fluffed and buffed so quickly she should be recognized for it in the Guinness Book of World Records or something. She checked out her short denim skirt in the full-length mirror in Linnea’s bedroom and rearranged her tousled messy bun as she heard the telltale ping coming from her cell.
Jesse: Dillon is locking up and Ky is loading up the Rover with ice, drinks and dessert—be there soon. Need anything else, Riosin?
Riosin? Raisin? Auto correct is sure fucked up sometimes.
Chloe: Are you calling me a shriveled grape?
Jesse: Huh?
Chloe: A raisin!
Jesse: LOL!!!! Riosin
Chloe: What the hell is a riosin?
Jesse: I’ll tell you if you’re a good girl. Need anything, babe?
You.
Chloe: Nope
Jesse: See you soon then xo
Invigorated with anticipation, Chloe bounced back down the stairs and skipped into Linnea’s kitchen to find her friend scoffing to herself. “How’re things coming?” she asked as she poured herself a fresh glass of sangria.
“As soon as I finish with the béarnaise we can fire up the grill.”
Thank fuck! Because I really need you to be busy on the patio when the doorbell rings.
“Thank God, I’m starving,” she said instead and slipped into a seat at the island.
For someone who had received an impromptu visit from the hot-as-fuck Kyan Byrne and had a secret admirer, Linnea looked like Chloe felt when she found out The Vampire Diaries got canceled. Not happy. She looked downright glum and that just wouldn’t do.
“So?” Chloe raised her brows and did a little shimmy in her seat. “You and Ky. All the deets.”
“There is no me and Ky.”
Here we go again.
