Page 12 of Blind Date With a Cop
Rene smacked the cookie box shut, throwing a hand over her heart. “I am so proud of you.” She leaned over and high-fived me, then sat on the edge of the bed. “I don’t know your man, but I already like him. He’s bringing out the best in you.”
“He is nice,” I sigh, looking at the explosion of clothes littering my bedroom. “Maybe I should go to the mall and buy something.”
“Please,” Rene scoffed, standing up. “You’ve got options. You have me.” She grins. “I’ll be right back.
Before I can protest, she’s out the door and clattering down the hall to her apartment two floors below.
Within minutes, she’s back, waving a garment bag in the air. With a dramatic flourish, she unzips it and pulls out a sleek, floral dress. It has a fitted bodice, a princess neckline, and far less fabric than I was mentally prepared for.
I blink. “I’ve seen face cloths bigger than that.”
“Do you trust me?” Rene folds her arms across her chest.
“Of course I do. But I don’t have a great figure like you.”
“You’re wrong, sweetie,” she says with a sly smile, “your figure’s much better. I’m telling you, the minute he sees you in this? That man will do anything you want him to. And after that kiss you two shared this morning, I have a feeling you’re going to want him to do more than kiss you.”
“Rene—”
“Uh-uh.” She shoves the dress into my arms. “Go put this on. And please, please,pleaselet me do your makeup.”
“Fine,” I slip into the bathroom, muttering under my breath. When I emerge, I head right for the mirror and hardly recognized myself.
Rene clasps her hands dramatically. “He. Is. Going. To. Drop. At. Your. Feet.”
I turned from side to side, smoothing my hands down the soft fabric. “Do you really think so?”
“I know so. Now sit down so I can work my magic,” Rene squeezes my arm. “And let’s hope your man is built like those cookies.”
I laugh until my sides ache. Then I take a deep breath, releasing my fears, and let Rene work her magic.
Chapter Ten
Blake
I’d told myself a dozen times on the drive over that I’m calm, cool, collected.
But the second Cassie’s door opens, every ounce of the composure I was trying to emulate evaporates.
She’s so magnificent, my brain misfires.
The dress she’s wearing is a delicate floral that hugs curves I haven’t let myself imagine and dips low, showing cleavage that short-circuits my vocabulary. Her hair tumbles over her shoulders in loose, glossy waves, and her lips—hell, those lips—are painted a soft pink that beg me to ruin the careful work she’s done.
“Hi.” Her voice is warm, almost shy.
I open my mouth. Nothing comes out. The best I manage is a sharp inhale and a single, reverent thought:Mine.
She fidgets with the hem of her dress, and it nearly kills me. She has no idea. No clue how beautiful she is, how hard it is for me not to step forward, claim her mouth, and forget dinner entirely.
“You look…” I clear my throat, hoping I don’t sound like a baboon. “Cassie, you look… incredible.”
Her cheeks turn pink, and that’s it—I’m a goner. I thought I was sure before, but now? Now there isn’t a shred of doubt in my soul. This woman isn’t just a date. She isn’t just the girl I want to get to know. She is it—the one.
I floated here on cloud nine. Now I’m free-falling, and I don’t even care where I land—so long as it’s with her.
“Thank you,” she smiles. “You look very handsome.”
“Shall we?” I offer my arm, instantly regretting the gesture because I don’t want her to see me as old. But when her smile widens and she hooks her arm through mine, I’m glad I did it.
