Page 92 of Electric Blue Love

Court: Fine, but I’m getting a naked fashion show before the end of the night.

My body shivered in anticipation. Stowing my phone in my purse, I hurried home.

I needed more time to obsess over every detail of my hair, dress, and makeup. I wanted to knock Court’s socks off. Literally.

I was running through the jewelry options when I came up short outside of my parents’ house. “Todd?”

“Hey, B.” Todd stood from the front stoop, a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

“What are you doing here?”

He strode to where I was still frozen on the sidewalk and leaned in for a hug. “I’m in town for the weekend and wanted to surprise you. Tasha gave me your address.”

I was going to kill Tasha. She’d probably thought she was doing me a favor, but she had the worst timing ever.

“I’m definitely surprised,” I managed.

“Do you have plans? I thought I could take you to dinner?”

“Actually, I have a friend’s engagement party tonight.”

“Tomorrow?”

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. My heart raced with worry and unease, but I felt compelled to give him closure. When I’d been desperate for his attention, all I’d really ever wanted was to have an answer. Yes or No – either way so I could have moved on.

“I’m sorry. I can’t.”

“The sort of guy?”

I nodded. “Yeah, but it’s become more serious.”

“I see. Are you happy?”

“I am. I really am. Hopelessly happy and in love.”

Time apart had only made me realize how deep my feelings for Court were. I was madly in love with him, and I realized the person I needed to tell was Court. Would he be there to catch me? Sure, he’d said he loved me, but could he really commit? I wasn’t sure, but I was willing to risk it. No one free falls into true love, we leap of our own free will.

He studied me for a moment, but as if he’d seen that I wasn’t faltering on my response he nodded. “Good, you deserve to be happy. I’m sorry for not seeing what was right in front of me for so long.”

“Nah, don’t be. We’re good as friends.” I smiled, hoping he could read my sincerity.

He nodded, the look on his face not completely sold on the idea.

“I should get going. I’m running so late already.”

“Take care, Bianca,” he said and dropped a kiss to my cheek.

I walked to the doorway and watched as he ambled down the sidewalk. Peace and contentment filled me and I smiled, feeling good about things falling in line. Those good feelings vanished when my eyes landed on Court, strolling down the sidewalk dressed in a classic black suit with a bouquet of red roses in his hands. He passed an oblivious Todd, but Court’s face was hard and unreadable. I wanted to cry or disappear into a puddle on the hot sidewalk as each of his long strides brought him closer.

“Hey,” he said gruffly, pulling at his tie.

“Let me explain. It’s not what you think,” I started, but he held up a hand.

“Just let me say something first.”

I motioned for him to come inside and he did, handing me the roses and then hovering in the entryway.

“There are probably a million reasons why he’s the better guy, but you can’t be with him. He’s better on paper, but I’m better foryou.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Do you remember the first time we met on the plane?”