Before You

“I don’t think it’s low enough.”

I turned toward the mirror again, knowing she would probably have me wear lingerie if she could. “I just don’t want to send the wrong message.”

“Billie, Jared’s eyes are going to be all over you regardless of what you wear.”

Every time she brought him up, my face warmed. “Don’t say that … he could be married.”

“We both know he’s not.”

“We know nothing,” I corrected her.

She released me to put her hands on her hips. “Well, I know everything, and I’m telling you, he’s not a married man.”

Aside from not having a social media presence, an online search hadn’t turned up any personal information on him. He didn’t wear a ring, but many men didn’t.

Since there was no reason to argue about this, I took a final look at myself, twisting to see every angle. “It’s on the maybe list, but I like it a lot.”

“That means it’s a yes.”

“You’re too much.” I went into my closet, hanging up the outfit and sliding into the yoga pants and tank I’d had on before.

When I joined her on the bed, she was eating a bag of gooey red fish that she held out in my direction. I removed two, nibbling the first one.

“What’s on your mind?”

I glanced up, not realizing I’d been staring at the floor. “Him.” Even if I tried to hide it, she’d see right through me. “My head is all over the place right now.”

“I can tell,” she replied. “And I can tell you have feelings for him.”

My chest started to tighten. “Ally—”

“Listen to me,” she said, setting down the candy to rest her other hand on my shoulder. “I want to put the married stuff aside for a second and just focus on you.” Her grip tightened. “You treat everything like a recipe, Billie. But you’re not going to be able to figure out the ingredients of this one.”

I sighed. “I was afraid of that.”

“Stop trying to work it all out in your head and just let it happen.”

Several deep breaths moved in and out of my chest. “I’ll try.”

“You’d better call me the second you get home … even if it’s not until the next morning.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her expression. “You always have to take it to the next level, don’t you?”

“This is why I’m your bestie, bitch.”

THIRTY-SEVEN

JARED

THE FRENCH RESTAURANT I’d chosen was three blocks from Billie’s apartment. I knew it was a place she enjoyed; she had reviewed it about a year ago and given it five noodles, which was her highest rating, and one she didn’t hand out often.

The table I’d requested was in the back corner, and I arrived early to get there before her. I wanted to see her walk in, and after a few minutes of sitting there, it happened. I gripped my hands under the table and did everything I could to keep my body calm while I watched her move across the dining room.

Billie Paige was more beautiful every time I saw her.

Tonight, she was exceptional.

“Hi,” she said as she approached.

It had been about a week, but there was a difference in her eyes. A hint of lightness that had been there before the crash but one I hadn’t seen since.

Until now.

“Good evening.” I stood and leaned forward, wrapping an arm across her back, pulling her against me. The closeness sent me her smell, and I closed my eyes for a second as I swallowed the Billie-scented air. Then, I felt the brush of her hair across my chin and the way her fingers clung to my back, and I knew it was time to pull away.

“Hi,” she replied, and she took off her jacket, her shoulders bare underneath. The shirt she wore wrapped only around her torso and cut low between her breasts.

By the time her coat was hanging on the back of her chair, my eyes had returned to her face.

She was thinner, but the change was subtle, telling me she was also getting a little better.

I liked her curvier.

Even though I shouldn’t have a goddamn preference.

“Thanks for the invite.” She was sitting, glancing around the room. “I haven’t been here in a while, but it’s a favorite.”