Page 30 of Wild About You
“How do I look?”I walk out into the living room where Heather and Steve are curled up together on the couch.
My friend sits up and smiles appreciatively. “Damn, Piper.”
“It isn’t too much?” I smooth a hand down the short skirt of the dress and turn to the side. It hugs my curves in all the right spots. I forgot how decadent expensive fabric felt like against my skin.
“The tag is sticking out the back,” she says, and pulls free from Steve. “Here, let me help.”
“Thank you.”
She comes up behind me and pushes the tag back inside the dress.
I turn my head and look over my shoulder. “Slide it under the back of my bra. That’ll help keep it from slipping out again.”
A small snort-laugh escapes as she does as I request. I’m not proud of wearing and returning a dress, but I needed a little extra boost of confidence going in to tonight.
It’s one thing to see or talk to Tyler about his sister, but it’s another thing entirely to show up to a party with all his friends and teammates.
“Okay. You’re all set,” Heather says. “Nervous?”
“So nervous. The only two people I know are the bride-to-be and Jade.”
“And Tyler,” she adds with a smirk. She goes back to the coach and sits next to Steve. He rests a hand on her thigh as he continues to stare at the TV.
“I don’tknowTyler anymore,” I say. “So, he doesn’t count.”
I toss my lipstick and gum in my purse and take a deep breath.
“Okay. I’m off. I’ll see you in the morning.” I point to the couch where I sleep every night. “Don’t have sex on my bed.”
As I pull away from the apartment in a dress I can’t afford, driving a car that is only slightly more reliable than the ice cream machine at McDonald’s, and heading to a party in one of the nicest neighborhoods in the city, I think about how I got here. Notherehere, but here—broke.
I would have died of embarrassment if I’d known this was my future five years ago. My dad ran a successful company, I grew up in a huge house, and basically had anything my heart desired. When I met Tyler my dad’s company had just crumbled. It was hard, but my dad was the most resilient man I’ve ever known. I didn’t sweat it.
That was the beginning of a lot of changes, I guess. Tyler and I broke up, then Dad had his stroke and wasn’t able to work, my family moved out of my beloved childhood home, and life was different. Basically, I got hit over the head with a heavy dose of reality.
I’m not sure I’d be the same person today if I hadn’t gone through all of that, but I sure miss my dad from before the stroke and would love to have a little more heat in this old car as I drive toward the party on the other side of the city.
The engagement party is at Jack’s house, just down the street from where Tyler and Everly are staying. I glance at it as I pass, and my nerves kick up a notch.
Even without the address, I’d know exactly where to go by the sheer number of cars parked along the street and in the circle driveway. After I’m parked, I continue to sit in my car. I’m seconds from just turning around and going home when there’s a knock on the window.
I jump and let out a little scream. Jade stares back at me with a smile. Her laughter filters through from outside. “The party is inside.”
“Oh really?” I ask dryly as I open the car door and step out.
“You clean up real nice.” She whistles and links her arm through mine. “Now I’m glad I left Sam at home. You can be my date.”
“Your date is planning on hiding in the corner.”
“Not in that dress, you’re not.”
She has a point. This dress was not made to slink away in the shadows unless it’s so that someone can slide their hands underneath. My body gives an involuntary shudder at the thought.
With every step closer to the party, I seriously consider sending Scarlett an apology text and going back home. I feel like I’m infiltrating something sacred. This is supposed to be a fun, happy night for my friend, and I reach for some of that steely determination I’ve acquired to put on my brightest smile and celebrate the same way she would for me.
I can hear the music inside. The bass thumps at a fast rhythm and my heart races to catch up with it.
“Are you ready for this?” Jade asks, seconds before she pulls open the front door.
