25. Abbie
25
ABBIE
"S top fidgeting, you'll mess up your lipstick." Tessa swats my hand away from my mouth. "Trust me, this shade of red is perfect on you."
I study my reflection in the full-length mirror, hardly recognizing myself. The black dress hugs every curve, showing just enough skin to be sexy without crossing into trashy territory. My usually unruly curls cascade down my back in perfect waves, thanks to Tessa's expert handling of a curling iron.
"I can't believe you talked me into wearing this." I smooth my hands over the fabric, trying to tug the hemline lower.
"Please, you look incredible." Tessa appears behind me, adjusting the thin straps on my shoulders. "Corey won't know what hit him."
The doorbell rings and my heart jumps into my throat.
"I'll get it!" Tessa bolts for the door before I can stop her. My heels click unsteadily against the hallway floor as I chase after her, my heart hammering against my ribs.
"Wait-"
Too late. Tessa flings the door open with her signature mega-watt, sugary smile. "You must be Corey! So nice to finally meet you. Please, come in."
I realize I'm holding my breath. He fills the doorframe, larger than life in an expertly tailored suit, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement. The silver at his temples catches the light, and dear god, how does he make distinguished look so damn sexy?
Tessa spins around to face me, her eyes wide as saucers. Her lips form the words "HOLY FUCK" in an exaggerated silent scream. A blush spreads across my neck as I try not to laugh at her completely unsubtle reaction.
"Nice to meet you too," Corey says, his voice smooth as aged whiskey. His gaze travels down my dress, lingering just long enough to make my skin tingle. "You look stunning, Abbie."
“Thanks.” I feel a blush rising in my cheeks as I move toward the door.
"Shall we?" Corey extends his arm, and I catch a whiff of his cologne - something woodsy and expensive that makes my knees weak.
"Have fun you two! Not too much fun, though!" Tessa waggles her eyebrows at me behind Corey's back as we head out.
His BMW purrs to life, the leather seats cool against my bare legs. My dress rides up slightly as I settle in, and I notice Corey's eyes flick to my thighs before returning to the road.
"So who exactly are we meeting?" I fidget with my clutch, trying to distract myself from how good he looks driving the car. "You mentioned your best friend?"
"Donovan. Known him since we were kids. He's actually my son's godfather."
The casual mention of his son catches me off guard. I knew he had one, but we haven't discussed family yet. "And his date?"
"Mindy. She's new in the picture." Corey's lips quirk up. "Don's not exactly the settling down type. He's had lots of girlfriends during the time I've known him."
"Unlike you?"
His deep chuckle and sheepish smile send shivers through my body. "I suppose I am more... selective these days. Always have been, really."
The way his eyes darken when they meet mine makes my mouth go dry. I cross and uncross my legs, remembering exactly how selective he could be.
"You really do look beautiful tonight." His voice is intimate. "That dress is downright dangerous."
Heat blooms in my core. "Thank you. You look pretty too." I smile, waiting for his response.
"Pretty?" His mock offense makes me laugh.
"Fine. You look damn edible in that suit. Happy now?"
"Getting there." His hand finds my knee, the simple touch setting every nerve ending on fire.
"Donovan and I go way back," Corey says, his hand still on my knee. "Met him freshman year of college when he caught me trying to sneak into the wrong dorm room at three AM."
"Please tell me you were drunk."
"Stone cold sober. Just terrible with directions." His laugh fills the car. "Don found me wandering the halls, took pity on my sorry ass. Let me crash on his floor."
"Such a gentleman."
"Oh, he never lets me forget it. Reminds me every chance he gets that he saved me from spending the night in the hallway." Corey's eyes crinkle at the corners. "Next morning, we grabbed breakfast and just... clicked. Been inseparable ever since."
The warmth in his voice makes my chest tight. There's something incredibly attractive about a man who maintains lifelong friendships.
"He was there for all the big moments," Corey continues. "My first real heartbreak, starting my business, finding out about my son. Even taught me how to throw a proper punch when some asshole wouldn't take no for an answer from a girl at a bar."
"Sounds like quite the knight in shining armor."
"More like leather jacket and combat boots. But yeah, he's got a good heart under that gruff exterior." He glances at me. "Fair warning though - he'll probably give you the third degree tonight. He's protective."
"Of you?"
"Mmhmm. Says I have terrible taste in women. Though I think you might change his mind about that."
The casual confidence in his voice sends butterflies through my stomach. How does he do that? Make me feel both completely unsure of myself and somehow special at the same time?
"You two sound more like brothers than friends."
"Might as well be. He's family in every way that matters." Corey's voice softens. "Sometimes those are the strongest bonds - the ones we choose."
I sink into the leather seat, watching his profile as he drives. The streetlights catch the silver in his hair, and I'm struck by how much I want to know every story, every memory that made him who he is.
The car glides to a stop outside an upscale steakhouse—Morton's. My stomach does a little flip - not from nerves exactly, but anticipation. This feels... normal. Nice. Like something a regular couple would do.
Corey kills the engine and before I can reach for the handle, he's already out and coming around to my side. The door opens with a soft click, and his hand appears before me. Such an old-school gesture, but it makes my heart flutter all the same.
"M'lady." His eyes dance with playful charm as I place my hand in his.
The warmth of his palm steadies me as I step out, my heels a bit unsteady against the pavement. He offers his arm, and I slip mine through it, fitting perfectly against his side. The solid strength of him grounds me, makes me feel delicate and protected all at once.
"Ready to face the inquisition?" He winks down at me.
"As I'll ever be." I squeeze his arm lightly. "I'm starting to think you're overselling how scary your friend is."
"Oh, just wait. Don can smell fear."
A laugh bubbles up from my chest, genuine and light. This is what dating should feel like, isn't it? Easy conversation, gentle teasing, that spark of chemistry without the overwhelming pressure. No games, no uncertainty about where I stand.
His hand covers mine where it rests in the crook of his elbow, thumb brushing over my knuckles. Such a simple touch, but it sends warmth spreading through my entire body. After everything that's happened between us - the speakeasy, that night with Seth - this feels almost surreal in its normalcy.
Am I stupid to hope for a happily ever after?