Page 29 of The Wingman

She bites her lip, hesitating, but her eyes glitter with excitement.

I arch an eyebrow at her, starting to smile. “Don’t tell me she made you buy a leather catsuit or something.”

She laughs. “No. She made me buy a dress that’s different from what I’d normally wear, but I love it.”

“Show me.”

She wrinkles her nose. “I don’t know.”

Forgetting my vow not to touch her, I nudge her with my elbow. “Come on.”

She gives me a long, deliberating look. “Okay, but I’m not trying it on for you.” She slides off her stooland heads to the front door, where her shopping bag sits. Then she pulls out a bright orange, pink, and purple dress.

My grin stretches ear to ear. It’s so fun and pretty. So Darcy. “I love it, Darce. Great choice.” It’s short, too, and Darcy has great legs. Smooth and toned and soft-looking.

“Really?” She holds the dress up, studying it with a small smile. “I guess I need something nice if I end up going out on a date.”

My lungs tighten, and I picture her wearing this dress that makes her feel pretty and special while she’s sitting across from some fucking guy making eyes at her. Hot jealousy wrenches in my gut, and my teeth grind.

She frowns at me. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I clear my expression, but her curious gaze lingers on me.

“What did you want to ask me today, in the lobby?”

My nerves jump, but I’m grateful for the change of subject, and now I know exactly where she’s going to wear that dress.

“I was thinking we could get dinner.”

She shrugs. “Sure.”

We get takeout all the time, and I made it sound too casual.

“No, like, uh. Let’s go out on a date.” I run my hand over my hair. If the guys on the team saw me all nervous like this, I’d never hear the end of it.

Her brow furrows with confusion. “A date.”

She thinks I’m hitting on her. She thinks I’m asking her out for real. “Because you said you were nervous to date new people right now, and you like knowing all the next steps,” I add quickly. “So let’s go out on a practice date. As friends. And as your wingman.”

I clear my throat.Jesus fuck, Owens. Get your shit together. This is embarrassing. It’s likeI’mthe one who needs lessons.

“Right.” She seems relieved. “Practice date, as friends.”

Her expression is hard to read, but I can see her mind working.

“Unless you’ve changed your mind.”

“No.” Her eyes go wide. “I haven’t changed my mind. That’s a really good idea.” She nods to herself. “We should definitely go on a date.”

He’s my best friend, and I’d never say this out loud, but Kit’s so fucking dumb for all the chances he missed with Darcy. Never taking her out on a real date? Unbelievable.

“That date with the guy who kept talking about weddings and babies didn’t count,” I say for some reason.

She smiles. “You just want to be the first.”

Hot, possessive feelings rocket through me, and the primal part of my brain likes the idea of being the firstanythingwhere Darcy’s concerned.

“You got me.” I give her a flirty smile. “Come on, Darce, feed my ego.”

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