Page 39 of Heartstruck at Dawn
“Nonsense, you look lovely.”
The old Billie would’ve probably blushed right there on the spot. But no more blushing for anyone. Even if they look like—that. Like a real man.How old is he?
“Joel, this is Sophie and Cecile. They’re Billie’s friends from Paris. They’re here for the weekend,” Lily said. Both Joel and Nathan approached to greet them as I escaped to the guest room to change out of the dress.
Once back in my clothes, I opened the door, and Nathan was waiting right outside with his two suitcases. “Are we sharing the room?” he asked casually.
“Oh, no. I live downstairs in 9A. I was just trying on the dress for a costume party.” I quickly stepped out of the room, holding the dress. Nathan rolled the suitcases inside and came back out.
There was a knock on the door, and Joel rushed to open it while I had a mini heart attack.
Tobias.
Please,no more brothers! I wouldn’t be able to handle it if William arrived.
“Joel told me this son of a bitch had arrived,” Tobias said. He walked up to Nathan, and they hugged each other with big pats on the back.
“Hey, Billie.” He smiled. Sophie’s eyes went big and round.
“Hey, Tob. This is Sophie and Cecile. They just arrived from Paris.”
“Nice to meet you both.” His gaze instantly darted toward Cecile.
Joel and Nathan took a seat in the living room with beers in their hands. Nathan rubbed his face. He looked exhausted.
Lily stared at me like a cobra and shifted her sight toward Nathan and back at me. She nodded once, and I shook my head twice.Lilydon’t do it!
“So, Billie, have you decided who to take to the party? You’re three guys short.” Lily dropped the bomb and walked to the kitchen to grab some snacks, she said.
“You didn’t mention anything yesterday about needing dates for the party,” Tobias said to me, his eyebrow moving up.
“Um, yeah. It’s a silly requirement.”
Nathan talked to Joel in Swedish but stopped to listen to our conversation.
“I thought we could get in the party with Aaron, Caleb, and David.” I hadn’t thought about that option before, but it could work. The person posted at the party’s entrance could think they were disguised as bodyguards. I could probably make them wear sunglasses to complete their looks.
“Boring,” Tobias interjected. “I’ll go. You’re two guys short now. But why don’t you ask a couple of those guys you met from all the blind dates you’ve been going to recently?” He laughed as he took the free seat next to Cecile and picked at the snacks that Lily had just set on the table.
I glowered at him, but he just laughed even more. “Don’t you have some boring event to go to with your brother?” But that wasn’t a half-bad idea. I’d been thinking about asking Ren to come too. I could tell him it was a casual group date of sorts.
“I’m sure Billy will survive without me,” Tobias replied. He was ditching William. Nice.
“Well, I’m free tomorrow,” Nathan said casually, taking a sip of his beer. Lily, who stood behind him, stuck the tip of her tongue out at me. She got away with it.
But then I remembered … the background checks. Caleb would have to check Nathan out first. A hint of mortification brewed inside me, but I choked it immediately because I was done worrying about everything and everyone’s opinion. If Nathan didn’t want a background check, then whatever. Ren could bring another friend who wouldn’t mind getting one.
“I’m going to need some ID.” I laughed. At least I’d try to make it fun. Nathan stared at me. Curious.
“You’re dead serious, aren’t you?”
I stuck my hand out as a reply. He threw a curious-filled smile at me and stood up to take his wallet out of his pocket.
I snapped a picture of his ID from both sides and sent it to the security group chat.
1982.He’s seven years and a few months older than me. I swallowed hard and gave Nathan his ID back. I excused myself and told him I would explain everything in a few minutes.
Me:I need Nathan Saunders approved for a date. It’s for CJ’s party. Tobias will be coming too, and I’m about to check with Ren if he’s available. We won’t be allowed inside the party without dates.
