Page 28 of Built to Last
After hitting send I worry for a minute, realising I probably shouldn’t be interrupting her time with her friends, but then three dots appear on my screen.
Rose:
Without me? *gasping emoji*
Me:
Nice try but I refuse to feel guilty, you already admitted to having watched these loads of times. You’re the reason I’m hooked on this show anyway. Going to have to watch another episode tonight. I need answers!
Fair enough. Glad you’re enjoying it. Aria doesn’t do crime shows so it’s good to have someone I can finally talk to about them.
I’m considering that an invitation to text you all of my wild theories.
Please do.
Right, the pressure’s on now.
OK first theory… the lawyer is actually their daughter and did it for the money.
Um…
Don’t tell me if I’m right or wrong, just enjoy my genius.
Haha OK, Sherlock. What else have you come up with?
As we keep talking I debate telling her about the art show Blake mentioned, but decide against it. Her work is such a sensitive subject, I think it’s a conversation best had in person. I’ll bring it up at dinner tomorrow.
Deciding to call it a night, I head upstairs and throw on a pair of pyjama bottoms before climbing into bed. My phone chimes with another text from Rose and I feel a goofy smile spread across my face as I type out a quick reply before turning off my bedside lamp.
My excitement for tomorrow reminds me of when I was a little kid looking forward to my birthday and Eric told me the sooner I went to sleep, the quicker the next day would arrive. I wonder if he uses that trick on Toby now? When I close my eyes I’m warmed by a feeling of contentment, knowing the next time they open I’ll only have to wait a couple of hours until I see Rose again.
Chapter Seventeen
Rose
It’sSaturday night and I’m alone in my bedroom, staring at a pile of clothes on my bed, wearing nothing but a full face of make-up, underwear, and my dressing gown. I’m starting to regret agreeing to a posh dinner. With no idea what to wear and not much time left to get ready, what should be an exciting evening is quickly becoming a stressful nightmare.
I always enjoyed going out for nice meals when I could, but when I started dating Malcolm he made every outing into such an ordeal that I quickly lost my love of eating out. Logically, I know Phillip won’t complain about what I wear or send his food back just to be a dick, he’s proved himself to be a better man than Malcolm in every way. That doesn’t make me any less nervous. Irrational fear that I’ve somehow forgotten how to date has me second-guessing everything.
I desperately want tonight to go well. Taking our budding relationship beyond the walls of Phillip’s house makes everything that’s been growing between us feel much more real. It’s a big step. But it’s a step I need to take if I want this to go anywhere. And I do want more with Phillip. More than I probably should so early on. Since we met, he has been fighting his way past all my defences and now there is no resistance left.I have shared more with him than any guy I’ve dated. We’ve talked about things I would normally only share with Aria, if I chose to tell anyone at all. It might be fast, but I can already imagine a future with him.
The alarm on my phone goes off, alerting me to the fact I only have thirty minutes until Phillip is due to pick me up. Time to call in reinforcements.
“I need your help,” I beg Aria.
Her crystal-blue gaze darts up and down the length of my body before she raises a brow and replies, “I see that. Come on then.” Springing up from where she was lounging on the sofa, she ushers me back into my bedroom with a grin.
“Well at least you’re not short of options.” Sarcasm drips from her voice as she stares at the tangle of skirts, dresses, and tops strewn across my bed. Aria begins pawing through the pile with her elegantly manicured hands.
“I’m blaming you for this. If you hadn’t encouraged me to get to know Phillip better, none of this would be happening,” I gripe, too on edge for her teasing no matter how good-natured.
“You’re welcome for that by the way,” she responds drily. “Put this on.” A cream silk vest top is thrust into my hands. Obediently, I hang up my dressing gown and pull on the top. I haven’t worn it for ages and forgot how flattering it is. The cowl neckline drapes artfully over my cleavage, striking the perfect balance of sexy yet tasteful.
“This.” She tosses a light pink skirt my way that I fumble to catch before tugging it on. The hemline falls a couple of inches above my knees and the soft layers of tulle add movement without being so puffy that I risk looking like a cupcake.
Turning to my wardrobe in search of jacket options she pulls out one of my favourites: a lilac leather-look jacket. Last time I wore it Malcolm told me I looked like I was cosplaying a unicorn. I remember being surprised that he had even heard of cosplay.After that, I stuck to black or brown jackets and plainer clothes. I quite enjoyed the idea of a unicorn-esque look—if Aria had said something similar it would have been a compliment, but I knew that wasn’t how he meant it. We were going for drinks with his friends and he thought they wouldn’t take me—and by extension him—seriously. I stayed with that shitheadwaytoo long.
A small smile plays on my lips as I put on the jacket. Aria looks me up and down, lips pursed in concentration.
