Page 84 of Next to Everything We Wanted

Sienna

“Thanks for letting us help you get ready this time,” Arielle said as she finished applying my face highlighter. “And done!”

I puckered my cherry-red lips in my bedroom mirror as I took myself in. My leopard-print blouse and headband went well with my black leggings and boots. My French braid completed the stunning look. “Thanks, girls. I’ve never looked better.”

“Don’t thank us.” Raina grinned as she took me in. “Youradiateconfidence all on your own. And confidence is sexiness.” She winked at me.

“Can I at least get credit for the braid?” Gracelynn asked, flipping through one of my fashion magazines. “Doing that felt like learning a new dance routine.”

“Isn’t it worth it when you master a new routine?” I asked with a smile.

She smiled back. “Always.”

I admired myself in the mirror again. Man, even the winged eyeliner looked fabulous on me. “Ivan’s going to be in love when he sees me.” I coughed into my sleeve. “In love with my look, I mean.”

“Sure,” Raina said, wiggling her eyebrows. Would she ever get tired of that?

“Wait.” Arielle adjusted my sleeves, revealing my lace bralette straps. “There we go.”

“Arielle!” My cheeks burned as I covered the straps with my sleeves. “Seriously?”

“Why would I buy you a bralette if I didn’t want you to show it off?”

“Itbarelyfits in some areas. You should’ve given it to Gracelynn.”

“It’s way too big for her!”

“Hey!” Gracelynn folded her arms over her chest. “I’m only a size smaller.”

I rolled my eyes. “Other than clothing choices, do you guys have any advice? I don’t want to screw things up.”

“You’re asking the wrong person,” Gracelynn muttered.

I sighed and faced Raina. “How about you?”

“Joke around with him, but not to the point where he thinks you’re being serious,” Raina said. “Tease him. Share small touches. And then blow him away with a kiss. Don’t use too much tongue—that’s gross.”

My cheeks flushed. “Of course, because kissing isallyou think about now.”

Her eyes twinkled. “Sometimes I think about other things.”

I rolled my eyes and faced Arielle. “I’m not even going to ask you.”

“What do you mean?” She put a hand on her chest. “I’m great with dating and relationships. Well, not my own, but I helped Raina.”

“Is your definition of help just standing there and doing nothing?” Raina asked, keeping her teasing tone.

Arielle huffed. “I was there for emotional support.”

Raina adjusted herself in my desk chair. “My other advice is to make sure that he putsyoufirst during the date. Unless there’s an emergency, he can wait for everything else. And if he only wants to talk about himself, then run for the hills.”

I smoothed down a wrinkle in my top. “I think I’ll be good.”

“Ooh, I think he’s pulling up!” Arielle exclaimed as she looked out the window. “Does he drive a Lexus?”

“Oh my gosh.” My heartbeat kicked into high gear as I peered out the window with her. Gavin’s car parked at the side of the road, and he emerged a few seconds later. “He’s early!” If Arielle hadn’t been dead-pressed on getting me ready as soon as we left Oliver’s house, I would’ve looked like a sweaty fish.

“He’s probably been so excited to see you that his heart couldn’t take it any longer,” Raina said with a smile, adjusting one of her silver hoop earrings.