Page 15

15

Taylor

“ H ow about this one?” I ask, stepping out of the dressing room. This is the fifth dress I’ve tried on, and while Elias has liked every single one, none have quite met his high expectations. As much as I want to find the perfect dress, I can’t deny how much I’m enjoying this little game—parading out, seeing his face light up, feeling his eyes on me like I’m the only thing that matters in the room.

His gaze drops to my hips as I twirl in the cobalt blue dress, the silky fabric hugging my curves. Heat backlights his eyes as he stands, closing the distance between us. He rubs the short sleeve between his fingers, like he’s testing to see how the soft material would feel against his skin.

“I think this is the one,” he murmurs, his voice a low sexy whisper as he glances over his shoulder.

I arch a brow, laughing softly. “Don’t even think about it.”

“Think about what?” he asks, feigning innocence. “What kind of thoughts could I possibly be having right now?”

I lightly poke his chest. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe checking to see if the coast is clear so you can drag me into the dressing room, rip this off me, and?—”

His deep, rich laugh cuts me off before I can finish. “I wasn’t thinking that. But well, now that you’ve planted that idea into my very suggestible brain, I am.” He slips an arm around me and starts to steer me back toward the dressing room.

I squeal, pressing my palms into his chest, in mock protest. “Elias?”

“What? You’re the one who brought it up, sweet girl.” His grin is shameless and does the craziest things to me. “Don’t even try to tell me you weren’t hoping I’d run with it.”

“We can’t do that here,” I hiss, even as a laugh bubbles up in my throat.

“I bet we can, but we shouldn’t. Still, it’s fun to think about it.” Grinning, he inches back and he takes my hand, twirling me like we’re on the dance floor. He goes thoughtful as I swirl. “How does it feel? Can you easily move in it?”

“I can and I love the feel,” I tell him, as he spins me again. When he pulls me close, I catch sight of us in the floor to ceiling mirror, and my breath catches. We look…perfect. Like we were made to fit together. Without thinking, I let my head rest on his shoulder. His lips brush the side of my neck and my heart does a dangerous little flip.

The bell above the door jingles, jolting me back to reality. I try to pull away—we can’t let anyone see us like this—but he holds me tighter.

“This is the one,” he whispers into the shell of my ear, his warm breath traveling through my body and hitting every erogenous spot along the way.

“Yeah,” I whisper back, barely able to get that one word out.

As I step back, his fingers trail lightly over the back of my neck, lingering just enough to send a shiver down my spine.

“I love the zipper,” he murmurs, his touch sliding along the fabric. “Goes all the way down to your lower back. Makes it so easy to get you out of this.”

“An easy escape route,” I tease. “That’s what I always look for in a dress.”

“Smart girl,” he says, his eyes dancing with need and for the briefest of seconds, I let myself think about how easy it would be to fall for this man. He checks the time. “Why don’t you go get out of this? We’re running late, and I want to grab dinner before your class.”

I hurry back into the change room and carefully slip out of the dress. After pulling on my own clothes, I leave the change room, and a measure of disappointment sits in my chest when he’s not there waiting for me. Damn, what the heck is that all about?

Then I hear his voice and I follow it, until I spot him chatting with the clerk. She’s holding out some jewelry, and a smile lights up his face when he notices me approaching.

“What do you think of this necklace?” he asks, showing me a gorgeous, delicate chain with a single olive leaf pearl pendant that would complement the dress.

“I have jewelry,” I tell him.

In a strange public display of affection—we’re not around his family, so no need for that—he pulls me to him. “I know you have jewelry. But what do you think of this?” I’m about to protest, when he asks, “Do you think my mom would like this for Christmas? She loves jewelry, but I’m hopeless when it comes to picking it out. I really could use your opinion.”

“She’d probably love it.”

“Perfect. I’ll take it.” He carefully takes the dress from me. “This too.”

The clerk rings everything in, and we make our way outside, the cool air rushing over us. “I really love the dress, Elias.”

“It’s perfect on you,” he murmurs, his tone low and full of need, as though remembering the changing room and what we would’ve liked to do in it.

“I’m not sure how much wear I’ll get out of it, though,” I admit, suddenly feeling unsure about the extravagant choice. Then again, I have a role to play and he knows better than anyone what I need to be wearing.

He shrugs, unfazed. “You’ll only wear it once.”

I frown, glancing at the bag in his hand. “I don’t know. I usually like to get more than one wear out of fancy stuff. I guess I could always wear it to another wedding.”

“You won’t be able to,” he says, guiding me back to the car.

“I don’t know, maybe?—”

Before I can finish, he leans in. “I’m probably going to tear it off you.”

A hard quiver works its way through my body and I’m pretty sure he knows the pink flush rushing into my cheeks has nothing to do with the cold air. “I take it you like that idea.”

“I do not,” I shoot back quickly. “The dress is too nice and too expensive for that.”

“We’ll see.” His warm laugh in the cold air wraps around me like a cozy blanket. He winks at me. “I won’t ruin your new jewelry, though.”

“Elias!” I smack him and he just laughs. When we reach the car, he opens the door for me, and once I’m inside, he darts around the front and hurries into the driver’s seat.

“What are you in the mood for?” he asks, flashing me a mischievous grin. I raise my brow and he laughs. “Food. What do you feel like?”

I hug myself as the cold air seeps under my jacket. “Would it be weird to say chicken pot pie from the Nook?”

He goes quiet for a second, his gaze flickering to the street, clearly lost in thought like he’s trying to puzzle something out.

“Not weird,” he finally murmurs, his eyes locking onto mine with a serious look. “It’s just…we do stuff together, right? Share rides, hang out…” Heck, who is he trying to convince here? “I mean, if we walk in there, what if one of the guys is there? Or Gina? That’s not weird, right?”

I shrug. “Normally it wouldn’t be weird. Maybe we’re just overthinking this.”

“Probably,” he says with a smirk. “Or maybe it is weird because we’re…well…sleeping together.”

The words hang in the air for a second, and then unable to help myself, a laugh bubbles out of my throat and it surprises even me. “Yeah. Very true. Do you think we can make it not weird?”

“I don’t know.” He starts the car. “I guess we’re going to find out.”

“Yeah?”

“Chicken pot pie,” he says simply and I know exactly what he means. It’s the best in the city. “Besides, we don’t have a lot of time before your class.”

“True and it’s late. I doubt Gina is there, and you guys just got home from a road trip. I’m sure the guys are busy with their families or crashed.” I grin at him to lighten things up. “Let’s face it, the first thing you wanted to do was go to bed.

That brings on a laugh. He reaches across the seat and puts his hand on my leg as he pulls into traffic. We make our way to the Nook, and he finds us a parking spot. We hurry down the sidewalk as the streetlights turn on. I glance through the big window as we approach the door and feel a measure of relief when I don’t see any of the guys.

The only ones who know about the ruse are my brother, and Roman, and honestly if anyone else sees us, they’ll probably just see two friends hanging out. It’s not like we’re anything more. We’re roommates and he’s my brother’s best friend, right?

Except...

You’re sleeping with him, girlfriend.

Right.

We find a cozy table in the corner, and I shrug out of my coat, doing another quick sweep of the room. “Coast is clear,” I tease.

Just as I say that, a girl around my age emerges from the back, menus in hand. I glance at her nametag—Avery. Why does she look so familiar? I’m pretty sure Gina’s hired a few more servers recently since the place has been busy, but I swear I’ve seen her somewhere else before.

Her eyes are locked on Elias, and it’s not hard to see she’s trying really hard not to have a total fan moment. She does a decent job of it—barely. Elias catches my eye, raising an eyebrow. “Coffee?” I nod, still distracted, and Elias says, “Yeah, we’ll both have coffee—and chicken pot pie.”

She scribbles it down and starts to walk away, but then freezes for a second, her gaze shifting to me. I watch as she narrows her eyes, looking me over as she tucks the notepad into her apron.

“Wait,” she says slowly. “Do you go to Boston College?”

I nod, curious. “Yeah, I do.”

“I thought you looked familiar,” she says, her face lighting up. “I’ve seen you around campus. Your brother is Kalen Coolidge, right?”

I can’t help but laugh. “He is. That’s him.”

Avery’s smile grows. “I’ve seen him pick you up a few times.”

“Nice to meet you, Avery,” I reply, glancing over at Elias. “This is Elias?—”

“I know who you are,” she announces quickly, her eyes widening with recognition. “Elias Ariti.”

I grin as I watch Avery’s face light up like a Christmas tree. She’s practically glowing. A moment later, she shakes her head, snapping out of it. “Sorry,” she laughs, a little embarrassed. “I’m not supposed to fangirl over customers. When I was hired here, Gina warned me about the Boston Bucks players eating here. She said I have to act normal, but...”

I can’t help but smile. “I get it. Hard to keep it cool when you're around Elias.”

“Very hard,” she agrees with a little laugh. Her eyes dart between the two of us, and I can see the curiosity in her gaze. “Wait, are you two?—”

“No,” I interrupt quickly, glancing at Elias, half-expecting him to protest, but he stays silent, just watching with a faint smile on his lips. Before I can say more, the bell above the door jingles, and I look up to see Gina walking in. Avery leans in, lowering her voice like we’re about to share a secret.

“Please don’t tell her I fangirled,” she whispers with a sheepish grin.

We both laugh. “We won’t.”

“Coffee and chicken pot pie coming up,” she confirms, giving Gina a quick nod before hurrying off to the back like she needs a second to compose herself—and honestly, I totally get it. Elias has that effect on me too.

Gina hurries over, throwing her arms around herself like she’s trying to warm herself after coming in from the cold. “What are you two doing here?”

We both stand up and give Gina a hug, and I have to lean in because her baby bump is so huge. “Where’s your mountain man?” I ask as we embrace.

“Home doing homework with Zoe.” She rubs her tummy. “She missed her daddy so I wanted to give them some alone time.” A warm loving smile comes over her face, and it wraps around my heart. I haven’t really known her long, but from what I understand she had it rough, and Ash was her rock from early on. Now they’re married and so happy with a baby on the way, and it oddly enough stirs a pang of jealousy inside me.

But I don’t want that. At least not for a few more years, I quickly remind myself as my gaze slides to Elias as he gives Gina a hug. Avery comes back with coffee and when Elias sits down, that’s when I notice the way Gina is watching me. I quickly avert my gaze.

“Thanks.” I reach for the milk when Avery sets the cup in front of me and fills it with coffee from the carafe.

“You have class tonight?” Gina asks.

“Yeah, Tuesday nights are my late nights.”

She turns to Elias. “How’s the house coming? Are you getting settled in?”

“Slowly.” He takes a sip of his coffee. “I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a chance to fully move in. Taylor has been helping me get furniture and decorate.”

“Has she?” Knowing eyes flicker back to me, and I try not to fidget. What is that grin she’s giving me? Dammit. “Things went well at Thanksgiving?”

I nearly choke on my coffee. “I didn’t…oh, Kalen…must have…”

She laughs and waves her hand. “The guys are worse than women. Don’t even try to keep a secret,” she teases, but her eyes focus on me…like she can read my deepest darkest thoughts. My God, I think she knows.

I swallow. “Nope, no secrets with the guys.”

Liar.

Elias jumps in, oblivious, or at least he’s pretending to be. “Taylor was really great to help me. Too great, actually.” He laughs as he leans back in his seat. “My parents loved her.”

“Of course they did. What’s not to love?”

I bat my eyes at her as a storm rages inside me. “We’ll fake a breakup after New Year’s.”

“Right, you’re going to Vegas for Easton’s wedding.”

“Is there anything you don’t know?” Elias jokes.

She focuses in on me again, an all-knowing gleam in her eyes that speaks volumes. “Nope.”

Ohmigod.

Avery comes back with our steaming hot chicken pot pies. “This looks so good,” I say, grateful for the distraction.

“I’ll leave you two to eat, and this is all on the house.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Elias says.

“It’s fine, because when you have your housewarming party, you’ll hire me to cater it.”

Elias laughs at that. “Why do I feel like I’m being coerced into having a party?”

“Because parties are fun, and we haven’t had a group get together since Halloween.”

He groans. “I don’t know how to plan a party.”

“I’m sure Taylor can help you with that.”

“Of course.” I throw my hands up. “Who doesn’t love a housewarming party?”

“Okay, you two enjoy.” She gives me a little grin before she turns and disappears into the back.

I lean in my words for Elias’s ears only. “She knows.”

“What?” He lifts his head, his brow furrowed.

“She knows about us.”

“How could she possibly know?”

My mind goes back to Grandma.

He looks at you like you’re the only thing that matters in this universe.

Had Gina seen that look? I shake my head. No, he was just pretending, and he does not look at me with love. That was an act, and I have to be wrong about Gina.

“You’re right. I’m just being paranoid.”

Or she caught me looking at him in ways I shouldn’t be.

Dammit, I might be in trouble here.