Page 96 of The One Night Dash
“Could have,” Nalani says sweetly, “but then we’d have missed this.”
Beside me, Dash mutters something under his breath, already grabbing for his pants.
He kisses the side of my head quickly and quietly, the brush of his lips more grounding than I deserve. “You’ll survive them,” he whispers before straightening and flashing the girls a mock salute.
“Coward,” I hiss after him, but he just smirks and disappears up the stairs to my apartment, leaving me to the wolves.
Because, of course, Sofie and Nalani pounce, Claudia standing red-faced and horrified while they circle me like vultures.
“Oh, we’re not letting this go,” Sofie says, eyes twinkling.
“Not a chance,” Nalani agrees, grinning wide. “So, Noelle … was it worth knocking down half the romance section?”
My groan only makes them laugh harder.
I can’t help but laugh, too, while I answer, “Yes, now I have to pee. Hold please.”
By the time I come back from the bathroom, they’ve already rearranged themselves into a jury box on the couch. Nalani’s perched in the middle like a judge, Sofie’s lounging with her legs kicked over the armrest, and poor Claudia is wedged between them, blushing so hard she might pass out.
“Take a seat,” Sofie says, pointing to the chair across from them.
I roll my eyes, but my cheeks are burning as I sink down. “You guys are impossible.”
“Impossible?” Nalani arches a brow. “You were literally caught half-naked, buried in romance novels, with Dash Sterling standing there in his underwear. Explain yourself.”
My laugh comes out nervous, high-pitched. “What’s there to explain? You saw it.”
Sofie leans forward, eyes gleaming. “Oh no, we want details. We had to hear about the guys all searching the web for a replacement dress, see you and him at a wedding on the internet, find out he went off the grid for you from Koa, and the whole meet the family that none of us have ever met during a Turkey Trot where you all wore matching tutus! You owe us.”
“I mean, you basically covered it all.” I shake my head. “But let’s backtrack, the guys what?”
“Fuck that. We’re not telling you for like a week!” Sofie yells.
We all start laughing, because how could we not?
“You’re glowing,” Nalani declares. “I haven’t seen you smile like this”—she pauses and looks around—“ever.”
They nod.
“I am not glowing.” My voice wobbles, giving me away.
Claudia, bless her heart, pipes up in the softest voice, “You kind of are.”
Sofie cackles, clapping her hands. “Ha! Knew it. So, Dash, bedroom eyes, big muscles, looks like sin in skates. Is it as good as it looks?”
I groan again, sinking lower into the chair. “You two are evil.”
“Evil and invested,” Nalani shoots back. “Now, spill.”
I peek at them through my fingers, heat creeping down my neck. Finally, I let out a sigh. “Fine. Yes, it’s … it’s good. Really good.”
Sofie lets out a victory cheer, kicking her legs in the air.
“And?” Nalani presses, leaning forward, eyes sparkling.
“And what?”
“You know what,” she says pointedly. “Is this just scratching an itch or …?”
