Page 86 of A Class of Her Own

“I made an assumption rather than paying attention to details.”

“Hmm. You love details. What’s got you off your game?”

“I’ll tell you while we try on dresses,” I wheedled. “It involves your manifesting.”

“Oh.” She sucked in a breath. “Well then. Steve’s here, so you have to be quick. We’re having an intimate New Year’s Eve, and sisters aren’t invited.”

Eww.“The party starts in less than an hour, so, yeah, it’ll be fast.”

“How do you feel about maroon and sparkles?” she asked.

“Grateful?” I attempted to placate her with the fib.

“I have the perfect dress, and I think I have it in your size. Bring your shoes and makeup. You might not have time to go home first.”

“Thanks, Sis.”

“You owe me.”

“I think we’re probably even because of how many times I cleaned up your barf as a kid.”

“You still owe me.”

She hung up, and I hurriedly gathered up all the supplies I’d need to get ready at Willow’s shop. I threw it all in a tote bag, slipped on my boots, and rushed out to my car. I was backing out of the driveway when I remembered that I’d need to tell Brooks. I slammed on the brakes and squealed a little at the oversight. I hurried to dial his number.

“Hey,” he answered on the fourth ring, right as I was getting antsy.

“What are you doing right now?”

“I’m making a bird house. A big one. Maybe more like a bird apartment complex. I’m curious if multiple bird families will use it or if birds don’t like to live that way. It’s an experiment.”

“A bird complex, huh? Sounds fun.”

“You sound rushed. Did I lose track of time?”

“It’s worse than that. I was wrong. It’s semiformal tonight.” I blew out a breath. “We’ve always done pj’s and comfort food, but, apparently, there’s a theme this year.”

“When you said mansion I had a feeling there’d be a theme.”

“Yeah, well, my bad for not reading the fine print. I’m on my way to Willow’s shop to borrow a dress and get made up before I ascend into the mountains. Why do rich people always live on hills?”

“I always figured it was because of the views.”

I backed out of my driveway and started heading his way. “I’m coming over now. I don’t think I’ll have time to go to Willow’s and get all ready and come back here again.”

“Okay. See you in a second.”

I pulled into his driveway and put the car in park as his garage door opened. I needed to get moving, but as he made his way to my driver’s window, I had a sudden desire to skip the party altogether and see if he wanted to split a pizza. It was the first time I’d ever wanted to choose a guy over my friends, and it caught me off guard enough that I could do nothing but stare at him. I took stock of his face and the little things that were wrong about it but that somehow came together to create something intriguing and attractive. His hair -- curly and always a little messy -- plus his beard gave him a certain look that I found appealingly masculine. His build was lean but not thin, and his hands were kind of beautiful.

“Meredith?” he tapped on the window, and I startled.

I rolled down the window. “Sorry, I’m trying to figure out why I was suddenly considering ditching my friends and asking you if you wanted to hang out tonight.”

His eyes grew large, followed closely by his smile. “I like that plan.”

I laughed. “It definitely sounds better than this themed party with its sequined dresses and fancy hair styles. It makes me feel squirmy.”

“I think it sounds fun to get dressed up and go party in a mansion overlooking the valley.”

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