Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“How in the world did you see that when I didn’t?”
She shrugged. “It’s the way the two of you look at each other. Like just now, when he left. He wanted to kiss you. I could see it all over his face.”
I let the dress pool at my feet before I stepped out of it. Hailey walked over and picked it up, and I grabbed the shirt and jeans she had taken out and laid on the bed for me.
As she hung up the dress, I made my way into the bathroom to change out of the strapless bra and into a more comfortable one.
“We kissed in the limo,” I said through the closed door like a coward.
“I’m not surprised,” was her only reply.
I opened the door and looked at her. “Hailey, I’m so scared.”
She took my hands and led me over to the bed, where we both sat down. “Of what? Your feelings for him?”
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I said, “Yes! He’s my best friend. I mean, besides you, of course.”
“Of course.”
“If we explore this and things don’t work out…”
She squeezed my hands. “Do you want my advice?”
I nodded. “Please.”
“If you and Landon decide to explore this thing you feel between the two of y’all, do it in private.”
I pulled my brows in. “In private?”
She nodded. “Right now you’ve got to fake this relationship, right?”
“Yes.”
“The entire world thinks it’s true, and the only people who know differently are me, Mike, Noah, and our folks. Don’t let our parents know there’s anything between the two of you yet. If they find out, they’re only going to butt in. I’m pretty sure your father is putting on a show. I can’t imagine him not wanting you to be with Landon. Malcolm knows how much Landon adores you.”
I nodded.
“It’s the idea of it. Everyone has always thought the two of you would end up together, our folks included. If they know that you’re dipping your toes into something more than friendship, it’s only going to make this harder.”
“So, you want us to pretend to the world that we’re engaged and lie to our family that we’re not attracted to each other while secretly exploring what this is between us?”
“Exactly!”
I closed my eyes and dropped my head. “I have a headache.”
“Mike is over with Landon now telling him the same thing I’m telling you. Emme, I love my parents with every breath I have. But they tried so hard to micromanage my relationship with Mike in the beginning.”
I felt my eyes widen in surprise. “They did?”
“God, yes! My mother was the worst. She asked me constantly how things were going, offered suggestions on things Mike and I could do for dates. God love her, but she is a classic Southern, busy bee mother. With Mike working so much in Dallas, my mom is constantly offering her advice when I don’t ask for it. She actually asked me once if I had enough sexy outfits.” Hailey closed her eyes and shuddered. “She wanted to take me shopping for some. And Paislie is no better. Hell, if it were up to our mothers, Clarisse would still be our nanny simply so she would have someone on the inside to report back!”
I couldn’t help but giggle, because I knew it was true. Clarisse had worked for our parents as our nanny for as long as I could remember. They even kept her on when we were in high school, in case we ever needed her.
“I’ll talk to Landon and see what he wants to do. I mean, all we did was kiss. Twice.”
The corner of Hailey’s mouth rose into something that looked like a smile but was a bit more wicked. “How was it?”
Then she closed her eyes and threw her hands out in front of her and gagged. “O-M-G. I feel like I just crossed a line by asking that.”
“So don’t answer?”
She sighed, shuddered and then said, “No, I really want to know. You’re my best friend and he’s my brother. I want you both to be happy.”
Closing my eyes, I sighed as I buried my face in my hands. “So amazing. It made me…” I dropped my hands to my lap and looked at her. “It made me want…”
She nodded and motioned with her hands. “Made you want what!”
“More.”
Slapping her hand on her leg, she jumped up. “Then tell him that! Christ, Emme. If you want more, take it.”
“Take it?”
Hailey rolled her eyes. “Yes. Take it. Dig down deep and let the inner sex goddess you have hiding in there out.”
I laughed. “This is Landon we’re talking about.”
Her hands went to her hips. “Okay, let me attempt to forget this is my brother we’re talking about for a moment so I don’t throw up.” She paused. “Close your eyes.”
“What? Why?”
“Just do it!”
Closing my eyes, I waited for her next direction.