Page 15 of With Every Breath

“I should change.” I turned back to face the mirror as I released a deep sigh.

“I thought you were going to try harder?” She furrowed her brow in confusion as she frowned at me.

“I am. I mean, but this might be too much.” I stared at my reflection. I hadn’t worn this dress since the senior Christmas formal. I’d almost forgotten that I had it. I’d told Dex I’d wear black because I figured that would be the easiest color to find something in, and then I remembered I had this. The black velvet hugged my ribs and then flared out at the waist. The thin spaghetti straps crossed in the back. I’d pinned my hair up in a mass of curls on top of my head. I had a simple rhinestone necklace and earrings, giving me the understated look. I had no idea where we were going. Dex had been tight-lipped about that with the exception of it being formal. “I don’t know what shoes to wear.” I pouted.

“Those.” Madi pointed with conviction to the black heeled sandals in my closet.

“Those have like a four-inch heel. I’m going to be super tall in those.” I sat down on the edge of the bed.

“You have great legs. Guys love a woman in heels. You need to finish this ‘hot damn’ outfit with the cherry and whipped cream. The cake is all set.” She marched over to the heels, and grabbed them. “Put these suckers on and twirl for me.” She thrust them in my direction.

I laughed as I took one and slipped it on. The thin straps crisscrossed over my toes and then buckled around my ankle. After securing the second one, I stood and spun. “Happy?” I popped my hip and flipped my hand in the air.

“Yes.” Her head snapped quickly up and down. “Dex is going to thank me one day,” she muttered.

“For what?” I grabbed my clutch, dropped my phone and a lip gloss inside, and went to wait in the living room.

“For getting his wife to date him.” She grinned, brushed by me, and acted as if she didn’t just marry me off to someone I’m not even technically dating.

I didn’t even get a chance to sit down before there was a knock at the door. I glanced at my watch. Dex was right on time, as usual.

“I’ll get it.” Madi rushed over to the door, took a dramatic pause, and then slowly opened it. “I have to prepare you for what you’re about to see.” Her voice turned ultra-serious. “She doesn’t dress like this for everyone. This is a momentous occasion.”

“Would you just let him in,” I grumbled as I went from crossing my arms to straightening my dress, to messing with the clasp on my clutch. I was super nervous, and I really didn’t know why. It was Dex. We’d been hanging out for months.

Madi stepped back to reveal Dex in a tux. My eyes started at the top of his perfectly combed brown hair, and slowly traveled over his body, stopping at the shiny black tuxedo shoes.

“Nice to see I don’t disappoint you.” He smirked, causing my eyes to snap up to his face.

“I’ve never seen you in anything dressier than a polo. Sorry.” I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t let him know that in that moment my lady bits were quivering with the need to rub against him. I’d been resisting for months, telling myself I couldn’t have him, and now it’s as if the universe is telling me to stop punishing myself and go for it.

“You look pretty good yourself.” He motioned to me.

“Well, you two have fun tonight, wherever you’re going.” Madi motioned for me to walk to the door.

“Yeah, where are we going?” I strutted toward him. Oh yeah, I was feeling this tonight. All the feelings I’ve been keeping bottled up have been under so much pressure that I’m beginning to see why champagne shoots out when you uncork it.

“You’ll see when we get there.” He smiled and offered his arm.

“A real gentleman,” I teased as I linked my hand, resting it on his forearm.

“You look beautiful. All teasing aside. I always knew you were pretty, but this is a whole new level of pretty.” We walked down the steps, and stopped at his car.

“This is me trying. Merry Christmas.” I smiled softly as he opened the car door for me. Before he could back away, I leaned in and pressed a light kiss to his cheek. He froze as if I’d burned him or something. “I’m sorry.” I gasped as I looked away.

“Why?” He turned, blocking my path to get in the car.

“Because I shouldn’t have done that,” I murmured.

“Did you mean it? Or is this some kind of game for you?” The seriousness in his eyes told me to be honest right now.

“I think I meant it.” I grimaced. “I mean—” it was hard for me to put into words what exactly I meant “—I’m trying to let myself feel tonight. I don’t know what that means about after, but right now… I’m trying to let you in. Does that make sense?”

“This night isn’t about you giving me what you think I want. It’s about you letting me show you how good things could be if you let me in. Stop shutting me out.” He stepped back and let me get in the car. “It’s New Year’s Eve. Tomorrow is a brand-new year. Let’s enjoy tonight, and tomorrow you can decide if it was a mistake or the beginning of something real.” I tucked my feet into the car, and he closed the door. He walked around the back, and paused before climbing into the driver’s side. He didn’t say anything as he cranked the engine and pulled out of the parking lot.

ooooooooo

“So, are you really not going to tell me where we’re going?” I sighed just as we pulled up in front of a church.

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