Page 123 of The Wingman

It’s a lot. Like, two months’ rent, if I were paying rent.

I’m not, though. Due to Hayden’s insistence on me living there rent-free, I’ve saved up a bit of extra cash over the past few months. I’ve never spent this amount on one item of clothing before, but it’s not just an item of clothing; it’s something that makes me feel beautiful and special and unique. It makes me feel like myself.

“I’ll take it to the front for you,” Hayden says through the curtain, and I hand him the hanger.

When I head to the front, he’s waiting, holding a thick paper bag with a white box inside.

“It’s so weird,” he says, shaking his head with a puzzled frown, but his eyes sparkle. “They gave it to us for free.”

Behind him, the sales associate pretends to look busy but sneaks us glances, smiling to herself.

I sigh, smiling. “Hayden.”

His hand comes to my lower back and he leads me out of the store. “They were like, please, sir, take this dress. You’re doing us a favor.”

“They did not say that and they definitely didn’t call yousir. You bought it.”

“AndIsaid please, let me pay for it, and they insisted.” He wraps his hand around mine as we walk home to the apartment.

I’m laughing. I’m trying to be stern, but I’m laughing.

“I’m paying you back. You can’t let me live with you for freeandbuy overpriced dresses. It’s not fair. I’m already so indebted to you.”

“Hey.” He stops walking and his eyebrows pinch. “Don’t say that, okay? You don’t owe me anything. Let me buy it for you.” He gives me a patient, amused smile. “Consider it an early birthday present.”

Right, it’s in two weeks. Nerves twist in my stomach. I was supposed to have everything figured out by then. Between my growing worries about things with Hayden and the job offer I think about at least four times a day, nothing feels figured out. Nothing is quite right.

“You know I’m going to make your birthday special, right?” Hayden crooks an amused look at me. “We’re celebrating.”

“We don’t need to do anything.”

“I want to. I want to make it special for you.” He presses aquick kiss to my temple and wraps his arm around my shoulder, tucking me against him.

My heart squeezes and I lean into him, smiling. I shouldn’t be letting myself get swept up in him like this, but it’s getting harder to stop.

Maybe one memorable birthday with Hayden wouldn’t hurt.

CHAPTER 57

DARCY

I’m pacinga hole into the living room rug when Hayden gets home from practice.

“Well?”

“You look… beautiful?” His eyebrows quirk with confusion.

“Hayden.” I give him an exasperated look, and he starts laughing. I’m in leggings and his old hockey hoodie, with my hair in a messy bun on top of my head.

“What?” He grasps my hips and walks me back until I’m against the wall, his lips on my neck, making me shiver. “I like when you wear my hoodie. You’re so cute in it.”

“I like wearing it, too.” My breath catches as his teeth nip my earlobe. “It’s soft, and it smells like you.”

He sucks the sensitive skin beneath my ear, and my lips part in response.

Since we started hooking up, I’ve learned that Hayden is even more physically affectionate than I thought. I thought he was touchy-feely when we were friends? No. That was his affection on light mode. Every time we’re in the same room, his hands are on me—in my hair, around my waist, on my thigh—or if we’re walking, he has one interlaced with mine.

And yet, he won’t let us go all the way in the bedroom. I’mcrawling out of my skin with horniness. As his lips press to my neck and his fingers sneak beneath the hem of the hoodie, toying with the waistband of my leggings, heat coils between my legs. His scent washes over me, clean and fresh from his post-practice shower, and I sigh.

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