Page 52

fifty-one

Harlow

“So wait,” Ella says, glass sloshing as she moves her hand to the side. “You’re telling me that this was fake? That you’ve been keeping it from me all fucking season?! ”

I’m sitting with the girls in a circle on Rory’s floor. She has the biggest apartment of the four of us—having a Hall of Fame baseball player for a dad has its perks—so we’re sipping wine in our pajamas as my mind reels.

“Um, yes?” I answer warily. “But it wasn’t to exclude you. You’re planning a damn wedding, so you were busy, and I didn’t want to take you away from that. I also needed to tell as few people as possible to keep this realistic.”

“Well, I’m not happy about that, but I’m letting it slide because ohmygodyouhaveadatetomorrow!”

I can’t help but laugh. “It’s so hard to believe this is real.”

“Oh, it’s real, sweetie,” Lucia replies. “I told you from the start that Knox would fall in love with you by the end of the season.”

“We don’t know that he’s in love with me. We just know that he actually asked me on a date.”

Rory smirks. “Babe, I’ve known him for years. I have never seen him the way he is around you. He’s got it bad for you.”

“That makes two of us, then,” I say lowly.

“Lo,” Lucia asks, an excited look in her eyes. “Are you subtly telling us that you are in love with Knox?”

I take a deep breath before saying it for the first time out loud. “Yes,” I reply softly. “I’m in love with Knox.”

“I fucking knew it!” Rory shouts. “You were so bad at trying to hide it.”

“I was even worse with that internally,” I laugh. “The past month has been hell in my head.”

“So everything is okay between you two now?” Ella asks. “Not that I ever knew anything was wrong in the first place.”

“Damn, you’re laying it on thick, Ell,” I laugh. “Yeah, we’re all good. I actually, uh… started sleeping next to him again.” Rory cocks an eyebrow at me. “Not like that, Ror. It was just sleeping. But he said he missed having me next to him. I tried to tell myself that was a bad idea, but I wound up next to him anyway.”

“Love makes you do crazy things,” Rory smiles.

“I hate you guys.” I take a sip of my wine. “I can’t believe I just admitted it. That’s the first time I’ve said it out loud.”

“Are you going to tell Knox?” Ella asks.

“I have no idea,” I admit. “He’s only just now acknowledging that this isn’t fake anymore. I’m not trying to freak him out by telling him I’m in love with him before he’s ready for that.”

Lucia smiles. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that, Lo.” I eye her curiously. “I’m telling you, that man is in love with you. I’d bet my left arm he tells you that.”

“Let’s not be rash here, Luc. Let’s leave all of our appendages attached.” She smirks. “I guess we’ll just have to see. We need to get through the date before any love confessions come out.”

“Speaking of the date,” Rory says. “Do you know what you’re wearing yet?”

“I have no idea,” I admit. “I don’t even know what we’re doing.”

“Girl, text him then!” Ella says excitedly. “How are we supposed to help you plan your outfit if we don’t know what you’re doing?”

I lift my brow at her. “Why are you helping me plan my outfit?”

“Because,” Rory replies, “this is going to be the best damn date of your life, and you need to look stunning. Take Knox’s breath away.”

“I don’t think that’s ever really been a problem.” I smile. “He’s always been very upfront about how he thinks I look.”

“God, I just love him for you, Lo.” Lucia leans over and hugs me. “I’m glad you started fake dating him. I mean, look where you are now.”

Rory leans on my other side and joins the hug. “Happier than I’ve ever seen you.”

“Because Knox is the most amazing man I’ve ever met,” I admit, grinning widely. “It was impossible not to fall in love with him.”

“So,” Lucia says, “text this amazing man and ask him what the hell you two are doing tomorrow.”

I laugh as I pull out my phone and send off a text to Knox.

Harlow

Knox

You never did tell me what we’re doing tomorrow

Knox

In my defense, you were whisked away very quickly

Harlow

Once the girls put their mind to something, there’s no stopping them

Knox

Well, I think I’m going to keep our plans a surprise

Harlow

Slick

Don’t do this to me

Knox

What are you gonna do about it?

Harlow

Beg

Knox

Fuck…

Save the begging for now

I don’t want to get all worked up again before I can take you on a proper date

Harlow

Look at you being a gentleman

Knox

Can’t promise that’s what I’ll be tomorrow night

Harlow

Good

Now, can you at least tell me what to wear tomorrow?

Knox

Whatever you want

Harlow

That isn’t helpful, Knox

I need specifics

Knox

Dressy casual?

Is that a thing?

Harlow

Yes, that’s a thing

And that helps, so thank you

Knox

Glad we have that settled, then

I can’t wait to see you tomorrow, Lo

Harlow

I can’t wait to see you either

I’m not sure I slept a wink last night.

I’m a bundle of nerves and anticipation.

I’ve spent so much time around Knox that I shouldn’t be apprehensive, but I still can’t shake the jitters.

What if the date doesn’t go well? I’ve already acknowledged that I’m in love with him—if this goes poorly, my heart will shatter all over again.

Lucia, Rory, and Ella have done what they can to make sure I’m staying optimistic, but for the first time in my life, it’s hard. I really want tonight to go well, and I’m so afraid I’m going to screw something up.

“What about this dress, Lo?” Lucia asks me, showing me a sundress she pulled from the rack when I wasn’t paying attention.

“Luc,” I say, trying not to laugh. “When have I ever picked out something bright orange?”

“Hey, I’m just throwing out ideas.”

“What about this one then?” Rory asks from behind me.

I turn around to see her holding up an off-white lace dress with a fitted bodice and flowy skirt. “Oh, I love that!”

“That’s perfect, Rory!” Ella turns to me now. “Go try it on, Lo!”

I take the dress from Rory and head into the fitting rooms. I slide off what I’m currently wearing and slip into the dress, bringing it up my legs and over my torso. I fan the skirt out so it’s hanging correctly before I turn around to look in the mirror… only to find a bare spot on the wall where it used to be.

I slide open the curtain to the fitting room and say, “There’s no mirror, so I have no idea how this looks,” as I step outside. “Does it look okay?”

“Okay?” Rory scoffs. “You’re fucking gorgeous, Lo!”

“Absolutely!” Lucia adds. “Look at the mirror out here.”

I step beside them and turn to the side, finally finding my reflection. “Wow,” I say softly. “I love this.”

This dress is perfect. The off-white color doesn’t wash me out, and the cut of the bodice and the thin straps show off all of the freckles that are usually hidden by my T-shirts.

I feel beautiful .

“That necklace looks really nice with it, too,” Ella says.

“Where did you get the necklace, Lo?” Lucia asks. “I don’t remember seeing that before.”

“Oh,” I smile. “This was my birthday present from Knox. He surprised me with it.”

“That’s so sweet of him,” Ella swoons.

“He’s a sweetheart, honestly,” I admit. “He’s probably the sweetest man I’ve ever met.”

Lucia comes up beside me and throws her arms around my shoulders. “I never, in a million years, would have guessed that Fort Knox is such a nice guy. I assumed he’d be nice in bed, sure, but I didn’t know if he would be nice outside of that.”

“Well, he’s very nice in bed, too,” I laugh. “Very, very nice.”

Rory sighs. “I need to find someone like that. Every man I find is shit in bed.”

“What about the man you’re totally not crushing on?” Lucia smirks. “How do you think he would be?”

“W-what are you talking about?” A dark blush spreads across Rory’s cheeks. “I’m not crushing on anyone.”

I walk over and wrap my arms around her. “I’m sure you’re not, Ror. But if you were…” I look her in the eyes. “You should probably just go for it, don’t you think?”

Lucia stifles a laugh. “I agree with Lo. Nothing should hold you back, right?”

“Hang on,” Ell says, holding up her hand. “Rory likes somebody, and I don’t know about that either ? Do you guys tell me anything anymore?!”

“I don’t like anyone,” Rory says softly. “They’re, uh… reading into things.”

“So,” I say, changing the topic to ease Rory’s discomfort. “Do we think this dress will sweep Knox off his feet?”

“Off his feet and right into his bed,” Lucia says.

“Let me get through the date before I start trying to get him into bed, Luc,” I laugh.

“Fine,” she replies. “Now go change. I’ve got another stop we need to make for you.”