Alexa and I impressed ourselves with all that we got checked off our list while Lauren was away.
Cake, band and flowers … done. Centerpieces weren’t even on our list, but we found the most beautiful antique vases at a flea market for a steal and couldn’t pass them up. Lauren was beyond thrilled with our progress and gushed about how grateful she was. The minute she got back into town, I made her repay the favor by helping me get ready for the charity event with Brody. I wanted to dress to kill; no way was I going to give Blaire any ammunition tonight.
There was no fashion show this time, nor did Mom or I have a say in what I wore. Lauren had a handful of expensive designer dresses that she was saving for a special occasion, and she insisted I wear one of them tonight.
It was a red, fitted Nicole Miller jersey-style dress that gathered down the front and back, showing off the waist Lauren said most women would kill for. Silver, strappy Jimmy Choos that she’d never even worn fit my feet like Cinderella, nicely showing off the pedicure I had gotten earlier that day with the girls. I never wanted to forget how adorable they looked sitting in those big chairs, grinning from ear to ear with their cute little toes barely reaching the water.
The Wild Kids event was halfway in between my house and Brody’s, so it didn’t make sense for me to drive all the way to his place. He told me he’d be by at 6:15 to pick me up. As usual, I was ready early and pacing the kitchen like an expectant father.
“Sit down, relax,” Mom called from the living room, patting the couch cushion next to her.
“I can’t, I’ll wrinkle my dress. I want everything to be perfect.”
She got up and came into the kitchen, keeping me company while I paced. “Well, you look beautiful and happy. You’re glowing. I could cry just thinking about what a change I see in you the last month and a half since you’ve met Brody. He really is a blessing.”
My chest warmed at his name. It’d been almost a week since I had seen him and I was aching to wrap my arms around him. This long distance thing was rough, but it made me really appreciate the time we were able to spend together, not to mention the dozens of hours on the phone we spent really getting to know each other. We still never ran out of things to talk about.
“I know, Mom. I’m pretty crazy about him.”
“I already knew that—you two don’t exactly hide it well. The way you look at each other across the room, the involuntary way you grin when I say his name, the way your heart swells when you see him playing with the girls … you two are the real deal.” Tears welled up in her eyes.
“Don’t make me cry, my makeup will run.” I waved at my eyes, hell-bent on keeping them bone dry. “It’s so strange, I went into this bound and determined not to let it get too serious, but I don’t think that’s what I want anymore. I judged him. I assumed because of what he does for a living, he wasn’t capable of being a good guy, a family guy. He’s proven me wrong time after time. I like him, Mom. I like him a lot.”
“I like the way that sounds.” A husky voice behind me set every nerve in my body on fire. As I spun around, my breath caught in my throat.
Wow.
Brody looked like he’d just stepped out of an Armani magazine ad. He was leaning against the wall with one arm behind his back and the other holding onto the lapel of his jacket. The lines of the black tuxedo he wore were tailored perfectly to his body, accentuating every detail from his broad shoulders to his trim waistline. His normally untamed, short curls were slicked back just enough, his face silky smooth. Brody was this crazy, macho professional athlete, but tonight, he could easily have passed as a model.
“Wow. You look great, way better than great. So far past great, you can’t even see great anymore.” I was nervous and rambling. I couldn’t even think of a word to justify how amazing he looked.
“You … my girl, are breathtaking.” He took a step toward me, revealing that in the hand behind his back were a dozen perfect red roses. When he got to me, he lifted my hand to his mouth, gently brushing his lips across the top. “When we walk into that room, you’re going to put every other woman to shame. How lucky am I that you’ll be on my arm?”
My mom sniffed again as Piper came barging into the kitchen. “Mom, come look at this car. It’s the longest one I’ve ever seen!”
“What?” I looked from her to Brody, confused. “What is she talking about?”
Brody shrugged nonchalantly and cocked his head to the side. “The limo.”
“You rented a limo?”
“I wanted to give all my attention to you tonight, didn’t want to worry about driving. Come on.” He took my hand in his and pulled me toward the front door.