Page 5

Chapter five

Maddox

W hen Sam and Callie arrive, the scent of the food floods my nostrils the moment I open the door. The rich, exotic spices make my mouth water, and I practically salivate all over the floor as I usher them both inside.

“Set it on the–” I start, but Sam cuts me off.

“Stove. We know.” She laughs.

They place the thick paper bags on the stove. Sam flips the heated lights on to keep everything warm before spinning on me with a sheepish smile.

“So you aren’t mad at us, right?” she asks nervously, swaying back and forth, her arms crossed loosely while her eyes beg for forgiveness.

I sigh at her pathetic attempts to pacify my irritation with the two of them. “I don’t exactly have time to be mad, do I?”

“Point taken,” Sam nods.

Callie chimes in softly from behind her. “We just thought... maybe if you two happened to hit it off, and he happened to end up in the dating pool, then you could finally stop obsessing over the man.”

“Do you not like trivia night?” I ask.

“No, I love trivia night.” she replies without hesitation. “I don’t mean it like that. It’s just... wouldn’t it be more fun to actually bang the man behind the bar instead of eye-fucking him?”

Sam cackles. Full-on throws her head back and cackles. “I enjoy eye-fucking him. Speak for yourself, Callie. I just want our girl to finally get her man.”

“Since when are you team Get Maddox a Man ?“ I lift a quizzical brow at her.

“The moment that man turned out to be an actual god, I instantly became team Get Maddox a Man— because I must know if he’s good in bed.”

Callie elbows Sam in the ribs, chuckling. “He looks like he’s good in bed. Sometimes you can pick up the vibes, and that man one hundred percent gives off good-in bed-vibes.”

“Well, I guess no pressure, right?” I deadpan. “I just get all dolled up and hope he’s joining us for the night. Have you guys thought about what happens if he isn’t participating?”

They exchange sheepish glances, subtly arguing with their eyes over who’s going to answer.

Sam sighs. “I guess you explore other options and pick the best-looking guy there, because, babe, you need to get railed. How long has it even been?”

The look I toss at her is borderline murderous. How dare she bring up my celibacy? It’s not like I’m enjoying it.

Sam throws her hands up in an instant submission. “Okay, okay. Don’t bring up the non-existent sex. Geez, someone’s a little hangry.”

“Not everyone can be a Callie. No offense.”

“Absolutely none taken, babe. I love sex, and I love sex with men who buy me expensive things. There’s no shame in being an only girl. It’s those creepers who are into banging in houses that don’t belong to them that should be ashamed.“ She elbows me until I crack a smile.

“Never letting you live it down, Sam,” Callie teases. “Do you and—“

Sam cuts her off before she can ask what we’re both thinking. “I think maybe we should eat first.” she suggests, changing the subject. .

Does she still hook up with her real estate god of a hubby while she’s on the job? I can’t help but wonder. Honestly, who can blame them? If I had the opportunity to get it on in literal mansions… yeah, I’d have hooked up with the boss too.

Sam hands me a paper plate with a sympathetic smile, as if she’s apologizing for falling in love with her senior agent who also happens to own the high-end real estate agency. I smile back. I’m not mad. Their story is adorable once you cut out all the raunchy details.

“Indian food is an aphrodisiac. Good luck tonight,” Callie teases.

“I don’t know if I can eat. I’m so fucking nervous. You guys, what if I am about to make an absolute fool out of myself? What if he finds out none of this has been a coincidence?” My anxiety is starting to get the worst of me, overwhelming my senses.

“Stop it,” Callie snaps. “If he’s not the kind of man who can appreciate a woman willing stop at nothing to make him hers, then he’s not the man for you.”

I open my mouth to protest how illogical that actually sounds, but Sam stops me.

“Ah-ah-ah,” she tsks. “He will appreciate your love language, or you will move right along—with the option of fucking him for your healing process. It would be a damn shame to waste an opportunity like that. He is delicious, and you’re a lucky girl.”

“I’m not a lucky girl yet. I’m currently a mess. I need to pull myself together, or I’m not even going to be able to act normal in front of him tonight.” The confession spews from my mouth as every bit of self-doubt I have rises to the surface.

“That’s the beauty of all this, babe. It’s masquerade speed dating, which means you’ll be wearing a mask.” Callie’s voice is soothing as she gently points out a major detail I somehow missed.

I’ll be wearing a mask. So, he won’t actually know it’s me. He really wouldn’t have any idea.

“All you have to do is be yourself and wow him, babe.” Sam’s words come out softly, yet they’re filled with encouragement.

I can do this. I just have to be myself. My sexy, awkward-as-fuck, weird-ass, charming self. Yeah, I’m fucked.

“Oh shit! I don’t have a mask.” The realization hits me hard, and I step back, falling against the kitchen island to keep from crumpling to my knees.

They both smile at me.

“We told you we have everything covered,” Callie says. “I even brought you an expensive pair of sexy-as-sin shoes that will look great with anything you wear—courtesy of my only-you-know-what.”

“You didn’t?”

“I absolutely did,” she replies with a smirk.

“How am I so lucky to have you guys? I love you both so much.” I open my arms, and my best friends surround me in the warmest bestie hug that can only be described as everything I need to overcome my nerves.

Together, we lay out all the different dishes, then crowd around the kitchen island, savoring the rich, decadent food as we plot out every possible scenario. This is what a tribe does. They offer their unwavering support, no matter how crazy the plan is. I’m so damn lucky to have mine. I don’t know what I’d do without them.

Once we’ve cleaned up our dinner spread and safely tucked the leftovers into the fridge, we head upstairs to my bathroom. Callie is going to help me with my makeup while Sam sifts through my closet, throwing together options. I didn’t even bother preparing outfits. Sam would have just turned them down. She’s the most fashionable out of the three of us, so I appreciate her taking the lead. Before there was Thursday trivia, we had a weekly night out at the bars and clubs. Sam used to dress me every week. My closet is full of options, perfect for a date night.

After what feels like hours of time in the makeup chair, but is in all actuality only thirty minutes, I look in the mirror. I almost don’t recognize myself. I’m absolutely stunning. “You have to teach me how to do my makeup like this,” I gasp in disbelief at the way every shadow and highlight accentuates all my best features.

Callie beams. “You’re fucking gorgeous, Maddox. I’m just a natural at recognizing it.”

Our bodies slam together as I pull her into a bear hug. Sam tosses the outfit she was holding onto the chair in my closet, throwing her arms around the pair of us.

“Maddox sandwich!” she whisper-squeals. “You’ve got this, tonight. Now let’s get you into something he can’t resist.”

“Let’s trap a man,” Callie says with a diabolical laugh.

“Let’s trap a man,” I repeat, my smile reaching all the way to my eyes, making the edges crinkle.

Sam lays out the options she’s assembled. First up: a short leather skirt that hugs my thighs and a pair of black, floral lace thigh-high tights. The top is a slimming sheer, skin-toned, long-sleeve bodysuit traced with black velvet roses. It clings to my curves in a mouthwatering series of slopes and soft lines, smoothing my curvy figure. She’s paired it with a black corset bra, adding an extra hint of raw sex appeal to the already smoking-hot look.

“I don’t think I have the confidence to pull this one off, Sam,” I whisper.

“Shut up,” Callie gasps. “I’m obsessed with this look. It’s going to have every man in that bar wishing you were there with them. Even if he’s not participating, if he’s not jealous, then there’s something wrong with him.”

“I agree, Madds. I picked this one first because it’s my favorite. It screams ‘fuck me, daddy,’” Sam shrugs her shoulders before bursting into a fit of laughter.

We laugh uncontrollably until our sides hurt and tears threaten to leak out.

“Can’t fucking breathe,” Callie gasps.

“I’m going to ruin my makeup.” I suck in several deep breaths, trying to regulate my body.

“You better not.” Callie is suddenly completely serious.

We sit in a solemn silence until we can control ourselves. Sam, the instigator of the chaos, speaks first. “Okay, let’s put ‘fuck me, daddy’ away, and try the next option on. I knew you would turn down my top pick, so I went with something way more conservative for option number two. I call this one ‘fuck me in the museum’ because it’s only a little edgy.”

My mouth falls open to laugh, but before I can, Callie is pointing at me, demanding I not burst into hysterics. It’s an epic failure because it only makes me laugh harder.

Sam hands me a pair of thick nude leggings and an oversized black silk button-up shirt dress with a small red leather belt. I try it on, and we quickly agree it’s just not fancy enough for the occasion.

The last option Sam holds up is a sexy wrap dress. The neckline dips low, allowing cleavage to spill out, and has a slit up one thigh.

“I call this one, ‘fuck me now, where everyone can see,’ for obvious reasons,” Sam says with a completely straight face, which has Callie and I snickering again. I nix it immediately without trying it on, opting for the first outfit while my friends praise my bravery.

Downstairs, Callie helps me with the shoes, and I snuggle into a wool coat perfect for the chilly spring rain we’ve been getting. It rained the better part of the day before stopping, but the dampness still lingers in the air, making tonight much colder than you’d expect for this time of year. Colorado and its unpredictable, crazy weather patterns never cease to surprise me, though.

A few minutes later, we’re waiting for the driver to arrive for my pick-up. My friends really thought of everything. Even the masquerade mask is perfect. I know they didn’t spare a single expense. It’s black with lace and hand-stitched beading. The feathers are soft and luxurious; even the silk ribbon feels exotic. Everything about it screams sex appeal.

The black SUV pulls up, and my friends give me one last hug. “Message us,” they call after me as I climb into the car.

“I will. I promise,” I reply before I close the door.

I can’t believe I’m actually doing this, but it’s way too late to chicken out.