Page 101 of Hard to Get

“Yes!” Meredith squeezes Harrison’s arm. “It’s going to be fun. I hope it’s fun.”

“It’ll be fun,” he says reassuringly.

“It’ll be super fun. Are you sure there’s nothing I can help with?”

“I think we’re good. The event planner at the club is awesome. But we’ll shout if we need something.”

“For sure. I can’t wait!” I give them both hugs, find my coat, and pull out my phone to request an Uber.

As I ride in the back of the car through rain-slicked streets reflecting the lights all around us, I think about my conversation with Harrison.

It’s understandable I’d be afraid of another serious relationship, given my history. But it’s not just that. I don’t want another serious relationship. I am happily, joyfully single. Why wouldn’t I want to stay that way?

26

STELLA

Jayden arrives at my place at three o’clock the next afternoon, along with Frank. We decided that Frank and Betty could keep each other company while we’re at the wedding.

Since I talked to Harrison last night, I’ve had an uneasy feeling about bringing Jayden to the wedding. But I can’t cancel now. And… I don’t want to.

I’ve never seen Jayden in a suit before, although there are images all over the Internet of him arriving for game day in stylish suits. My lungs feel like they can’t expand when I open the door to him and take in his appearance.

He looks at me too, both of us oblivious to Betty and Frank going crazy at our feet. “Jesus Christ, Stella.”

I blink and a shaky smile tugs at my lips. “Um, hi?”

“You look… Jesus.”

“Thank you. You look amazing, too.”

The warm admiration in his eyes and his smile as he studies me make my heart pick up speed. Finally, he stoops and picks up Betty, who’s greeted Frank and now wants attention from him. “Are you sad you can’t come to the wedding?” he asks her.

I bend to pet Frank and grin. “Of course she is. I tried to convince them she would be good. I even got a little pearl collar for her to wear. But they weren’t having it.”

“Damn.” Jayden accepts a couple of tongue swipes on his chin, then sets down my dog. “Seriously, you are stunning.”

“Thank you!” I do a little twirl, swirling the skirt of my chiffon dress, sage green with burgundy and deeper green flowers in a sort of watercolour floral pattern.

His gaze drops to my cleavage. “Very nice.”

The plunging bodice does reveal some boobage.

I smile and pet the lapel of his charcoal suit jacket. “How did you know to wear a green tie?”

“I had no idea. It’s that crazy fate or destiny or luck, or whatever.” He’s still looking at my chest.

“You can’t stare at my boobs all night.”

He grins. “Why not?”

“It’s, um, unseemly.”

“There’s a good old-fashioned word.”

I move to get my coat where I draped it over the back of an armchair. “Inappropriate?”

“Eh.”