Page 71 of Pucking Daddy

“Just dinner as… friends?”

Friends. I like the sound of that.

“As friends,” I agree.

Her lips twitch, just slightly. “Okay then.”

13

ZARA

Not a Date

Ichange my outfit three times.

Which is ridiculous.

This is not a date.

It’s dinner. A thank-you dinner. A completely reasonable, totally professional dinner between a man and a woman who are about to get married.

I try not to look too closely at the flicker of disappointment when Jaxon made it very clear this wasn’t a date—how he emphasized it, just to make sure I understood.

Like I might not be able to keep my hands to myself.

God.

I’ll show him I can.

I stare at my reflection, hands on my hips.

“Get it together,” I mutter.

The dress I’ve landed on is simple. Dark. Fitted without trying too hard. The kind of thing that says effortless, even though I’ve spent the last twenty minutes deciding between this and something softer. Something less… noticeable.

I smooth my hands down my sides.

Why do I care what he thinks?

I don’t. Obviously.

I grab my phone, then pause. Then turn back to the mirror and check my hair again.

“Okay, you care a little,” I admit under my breath.

A knock sounds on my door.

Perfect timing.

“Yeah?” I call, forcing my voice into something casual.

“Ready?” Jaxon’s voice carries through the wood.

My stomach does something traitorous.

“Yeah. Coming.”

I take one last look at myself, then open the door.