“Well, in a few weeks, we are having a welcome home party for him. The fence will be done by then. You are invited. I’ll keep you updated.”
“I’ll be there,” I assure her.
“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow, and look forward to meeting your friend.”
“See you then.”
We hang up, and Reese grabs my hand, pulling me through the apartment. “Girl! This is more serious than I thought. You have the best friend’s wife calling now? This calls for some serious shopping.”
I agree and grab my purse as she hustles me out the door.
“We’re going to find something that knocks the shit out of Finn the moment he sees you.”
“I like the way you’re thinking. And for once, I promise not to argue about your choices. It’s time to pull out the big guns.”
I may regret this, but Reese is in charge.
There’s a knock at the door, and I know it’s finally time. Reese goes to answer while I put the essentials into my small clutch. I step in front of the mirror one last time and add some nude lip gloss. The copper-colored, knee-length dress Reese chose hugs my body, and the golden strappy heels add three inches to my height. In the bright bedroom light, my eyes look a translucent shade of caramel with green undertones. The makeup Reese expertly applied sparkles brightly, complementing the dress.
For the hundredth time today, I thank God for her sense of style.
“Did you think to tell me we’re going to the event with A-listers?” she hisses from my bedroom doorway.
“What do you mean?”
“There’s a fucking stretch limo in your parking lot, a chauffeur, and a bodyguard. Then a fucking supermodel rolled down the window and waved at me!”
“Oh my, you’re kidding?”
“Nope, we’re showing up in style. Something you forgot to tell me?”
“NO! I thought she said she had a car service.”
“Well, I guess we need to get out there. Bodyguard man rang the bell. He’s waiting.”
My nerves go on edge as I follow her. The man at the door gives me a smile in greeting and offers his arm to help me down the one step on my stoop. He whistles under his breath, but I don’t miss him saying, “Finn’s a lucky bastard.”
When we get to the limo, Ember pushes the door open and squeals, raising her arms to me. I lean into her embrace and slide in. Reese follows, and the bodyguard shuts us in then joins the driver up front.
I introduce Ember to Reese, and she jumps across me to hug her.
“It’s so nice to meet you.”
“You too,” Reese replies.
“Okay, so I know this is over the top. Robbie can be overbearing!” She yells the last statement at the men in the front. They chuckle loud enough for us to hear. “But seriously, my husband is crazy, and he wanted us to have a nice experience.”
She pours us champagne, which I readily accept. “Did your husband really send a bodyguard?” I jerk my head to the guy in the passenger seat.
“He’s not our bodyguard. He works with the guys in security. Tonight, he’s helping out and decided to catch a ride with us. I seriously thought we’d have a normal car service, but I have a feeling Hero had something to do with this.”
“Hero?” Reese and I repeat at the same time.
“I call him Hero, but he’s Finn. Once he knew we were coming together, he and Robbie made these arrangements.”
“Why do you call him Hero?” Anxiety sends my pulse racing.
“Because he saved my husband’s life. When they were in the Marines, they were involved in a roadside bomb. If it weren’t for Finn, who knows what would have happened?” Her eyes glass over, and she looks to the side, wiping her cheek.