Page 107 of Not How I Saw That Going

I scrub a hand down my face. How do I fix this without checking out my date’s best friend? But I don’t have to check her out to comfort her.

“I feel like there’s more going on here. You are important to Lyndi and Crew and therefore I want you to be happy. Is there anything I can do to help?” I feel like an idiot trying to fix whatever this is.

She sniffs, rubs at her nose, then straightens her back. She blinks a few times, and I would never guess she’d just been crying.

“That was a great answer.” Maddie reaches for one of the many items she just put away and uses it to dab around her eyes.

I let out a breath. Looks like I escaped that one.

Maddie takes a step toward me until she’s right in my space. She grabs my tie, yanking me toward her.

There goes my perfect knot.

“Don’t you dare tell Lyndi about my little meltdown.” The fierce look in her eyes warns me not to challenge her. “That’s all it was, okay? This is her night. Don’t screw it up.”

Does everyone think I’m going to ruin this night?

“I won’t,” I croak.

“Maddie, what’s going on out here? I heard a loud noise,” Lyndi calls.

Maddie releases me and turns, her smile once again brilliant, and tear-free.

“This loser scared me,” Maddie says with an eye roll, and I take that as my cue to stop watching her like a concerned parent.

I turn to Lyndi. “I’ve heard I can be intimida—” My voice drops off when I see her. Before this moment, light blue was the color of my favorite shirt, the sky on a lazy day. But now, it’s the color of the sun, the stars in the sky, and my heartbeat racing away from me.

I drink her in, from the shimmering silver heels up the fitted full-length skirt with a slit to her thigh, and the deep V of the bust. My gaze lands and stays on her face: those beautiful eyes, the freckles dotting her nose, and the smile that makes my mouth water.

Maddie jabs me in the side, and I jump, finally moving into action or words.

Yes, words are good.

“You are breathtaking,” I whisper, slowly walking up to her.

She bites her bottom lip, and I about come undone. My fingers itch to grab her around the waist and pull her in, kissing her senseless. Instead, I reach for her casted hand and gently slide the specially made corsage onto her cast. The ribbons and extra bracelets make even the dark blue plaster beautiful.

“Ward…” Lyndi breathes.

I take her other hand and kiss the back of it.

“Okay, that gave me goosebumps,” Maddie says.

I jerk upright. She’s got her phone aimed in our direction, and I make a mental note to ask for the photos later. I want to remember everything about tonight.

I straighten and turn my attention back to Lyndi. “How did I get so lucky?”

She opens her mouth to speak, but Maddie interrupts. “No one is getting lucky tonight. We already have one beautiful child; we’re good for the time being.”

My face warms. Iwasn’tthinking like that.

“Maddie, butt out. I’m a grown woman and I can make my own choices,” Lyndi says, grabbing my hand. I like this take-charge side of her.

“Alright, get out of here,” Maddie mutters. “I’ve got a hot date to attend to.”

My eyebrows furrow, and I look at Lyndi.

“She’s watching Crew for us.”