Joelle Morrow has her focus set on the future. As an up-and-coming lingerie designer, she's overcome multiple setbacks on the road to achieving her dream of opening her own boutique but has yet to be knocked down, leaving her no time to think about...
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"Dress casual, that's it? That's all he said?" Aimee stood in front of me, mildly frustrated as she tapped her foot, her hands on her hips. With Seb due to pick me up in a few minutes, I sat on the sofa, trying to sooth the rush of nerves and excitement flowing through me. "He didn't give you anything else?"
I shook my head, deciding she didn't need to know about the second half of the text—a cheeky quip that'd brought a blush to my cheeks when I'd read it.
She sighed. "Well, hopefully he'll have learned his lesson after your last date," she said, and I cringed slightly. Upon walking through the door that night to see her up and waiting, nearly everything had spilled out, though I'd made her promise not to mention any of it to Jack. The date hadn't been bad, per se, but until those last few moments in front of the apartment, it'd been hard to imagine there being a second date. "And I have to say, I love the outfit."
With my hair left down and a minimal amount of makeup, I'd tucked a loose-fitting blouse into black skinny jeans and had pulled on a pair of knee-high boots. It wasn't anything fancy, but I certainly felt more like myself and less like I was trying to impress someone.
"Thanks."
"And in case your date goes well," she started as the doorbell rung, moving across the room to buzz him in, "just know I'm heading to Jack's in a bit and won't be back until tomorrow morning."
There was a gleam in her eyes as I stood and shook my head, unable to contain my laughter. "You're awful."
She said nothing as she passed by me with a smirk on her lips, waiting until she was fully out of sight to get one last gibe in. "There are condoms in the bathroom if you need them," she drawled loudly.
A surge of heat flared on my cheeks, no doubt painting them a rosy hue as a knock echoed throughout the apartment. With next to no time to compose myself, I was only able to take a few calming breaths before I opened the door, freezing momentarily as my gaze fell on the bouquet of sunflowers Seb held in front of him.
"For you," he said, extending the flowers towards me. His smile softened as I slowly took them, my fingers curling around the stems. "I thought I'd start the night off on a bright note."
Bringing the flowers close enough to inhale the scent—a freshness, with a touch of honey—I lifted my gaze, knowing he would see the gratitude shining there. "They're perfect," I said softly.
I stepped aside, opening the door wider to allow him in as I turned and headed towards the kitchen. "Just like tonight will be," he said, confidence backing the words.
"Pretty sure of yourself there?" I mused, lifting a brow once I'd gently placed the flowers down on the countertop and turned back to face him.
He took one step. Then another. And another. Only stopping when he stood less than a foot away. One of his hands wove around my waist, settling gently on my lower back as he tugged me, willingly, to close the rest of the distance. He murmured an agreement, the sound reverberating through his chest and causing a stir within me. "That's because I have a feeling you'll have fun tonight."
