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Series Premise: When Ethan breaks his promise, Cassie is forced to accept they’re not inevitable after all.
Book: Open Heart
Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine)
Rating/Category: Teen. Angst
Words: 1,660
Series Masterlist
Chapter 6: Sunshine and Rainbows.
A new romance leads to a surprising admission and food for thought.
A/N: Submission for @choicesmonthlychallenge - using January challenge prompt "dating". I'm also using one of the flirty pick-up prompts @creativepromptsforwriting. Tagging for reblog to @creativepromptfills
Cassie Valentine had forgotten what it was like to primp for a date and try out sexy outfits designed to drive a man crazy. And feel the butterflies flutter in her stomach when she really liked a guy.
She tried to remember the last time she’d been on a date. Flipping a mental calendar, she paused in surprise that it was with Nate Hanson six months ago. And now they’d come full circle.
Despite their physical intimacy, she and Ethan Ramsey had never gone on a date. And she was a woman who loved romance. So why had she settled for less?
Because being with him in whatever way she could, had filled her heart in so many other ways.
Studying her reflection in the mirror, Cassie nodded in satisfaction. Dark jeans, a black blouse that shimmered in the light, a dark red leather jacket and subtle jewelry completed the look.
She was grateful Nate had texted to say the dress code was casual. After today’s harrowing events, she wasn’t in the mood for fancy. Luckily nothing was broken or torn, and the swelling in her shoulder would die down in a few days as long as she didn’t overdo it.
Cassie absently wondered what it would be like to go on an actual date with Ethan, not just a stolen coffee catch-up at Derry’s or wine and takeout in his apartment.
In her mind, she saw a candlelit table tucked away in the corner. Ethan in a beautiful suit, her in a gorgeous dress that would make his eyes darken with desire. He would have to behave in public, but the dress never stood a chance once the door to his apartment closed behind them.
And imagining what couldn’t be was not helping her get in the mood for her very real date with a lovely man who deserved better.
When the knock came on her door, Cassie shook off the memories and reached for the sling, carefully adjusting it around her strained left shoulder before cradling her elbow.
With a final look in the mirror, she blinked away the lingering sadness and left the past behind.
“You know, when you said we’re going out for pizza, I wasn’t expecting to be whisked off to Brooklyn in a helicopter,” Cassie said a few hours later.
She hummed in pleasure as the hot, gooey cheese burnt the top of her mouth and the mouth-watering flavors exploded on her tongue.
“Best pizza in the city,” Nate grinned, carefully biting into his slice. “And I was trying to impress you even if private jets and helicopters are par the course for a Valentine.”
“It worked,” Cassie teased, lifting her glass of Chianti in a mock salute. “This pie was definitely worth the trip.”
“I make it a point to visit Lucali whenever I’m in town,” he said.
The atmosphere in the pizzeria, with the aroma of garlic and Italian spices in the air, was homey and casual. Packed with locals and tourists alike, the restaurant was loud and noisy, perfect for her mood.
“How’d you hear about this place?” Cassie asked, curious. She knew Nate lived and worked in Bethesda.
“I was visiting VCs in the area, trying to secure funding for my start-up. This was back in med school,” he told her.
“I’d already decided residency wasn’t for me and opted out of the match process. Needless to say, I was financially desperate and emotionally invested in getting the company off the ground.”
He polished off his slice before continuing the story. “Anyway, after a couple of rough meetings where I was basically laughed out of the room, I walked around the neighborhood and stumbled upon this place. I hadn’t eaten all day and practically inhaled a whole pie.”
“And you loved it so much it became your favorite?” Cassie prompted when he paused, lost in thought.
He laughed. “Not quite. I was sitting in the corner, wondering if I’d just thrown my career away on a whim, when one of the top VCs in biotech dropped in for dinner. Apparently, he’s a regular here.”
As he narrated the tale, Cassie watched Nate’s face become animated with a hint of self-deprecation she found charming and refreshing. He wasn’t afraid to share parts of himself with her.
Ethan always held himself back from everyone, only letting his guard down when she backed him into a corner.
“I figured nothing left to lose, so I walked over and pitched him the idea while he dug into his calzone. I could tell he was amused by my naïvity,” he grinned and shook his head at the memory.
“He handed me his business card and told me if I was gutsy enough to interrupt his dinner, I’d earned at least twenty minutes on his calendar. Tim’s still my biggest investor and has become a friend and mentor.”
“So, you brought me here because this place is special for you,” Cassie said, astutely connecting the dots.
“Yes,” Nate said, topping their wine glasses. ”It marked a new and auspicious professional beginning for me. I’m hoping it does the same on a personal level with you.”
Cassie sniffed in amusement and observed him over the rim of her glass. “Tim was right. You’re definitely gutsy. No wonder Fortune Magazine put you on the cover.”
Cassie appreciated that he didn’t push her for an answer, letting their conversation drift to other topics. But in the back of her mind, she kept turning over his proposition and wondered if she was ready to move on from Ethan.
It was late when they returned to Boston, and the drive from Logan Airport to her apartment didn’t take long. Cassie felt satiated from the meal and the company. And a little bit tipsy from the wine, if she was honest.
Nate escorted her up the steps of her building, and they stood facing each other in front of the street entrance door. He took her hand and moved close, angling his face, and his hazel eyes caught the light.
Anticipating a goodnight kiss, Cassie tilted her head back and wondered how his lips would feel against hers. And would they be enough to make her forget laser blue eyes and a firm mouth that had touched every part of her body and soul?
Lifting his hand, he tenderly brushed a golden lock of hair off her cheek, tucking it behind her ear.
“So,” he murmured, leaning in. “How does dinner and dancing sound for our next date?”
“Hmm. I haven’t decided if I’m going on a third date with you yet,” Cassie said, amused.
“You know, I believe that honesty is the best policy,” Nate said, his lips hovering above hers. “So, to be perfectly honest, I want to spend many more days with you.”
Cassie stilled. He was being honest with her, and she owed him the same. She stepped back, breaking the spell cast by the wine and a moonlit night.
“I need to confess something,” she said, closing her eyes briefly as she struggled to find the right words.
Nate looked confused, but he didn’t say anything.
“I was in a relationship until recently, and it ended badly,” Cassie said, rushing to get the words out before the pain that never went away caught up. “He broke my heart, but I can’t seem to get over him. I don’t want to lie to you, pretend I’m okay moving on when I don’t know if I’m ready.”
She peeked at Nate through her brows, worried that she’d hurt him or made him angry by not being honest sooner. He looked taken aback, but he pressed his lips and schooled his features neutrally.
“I’m sorry you’re hurting, Cassie,” Nate said eventually. “But I can’t be sorry that his loss is my gain.”
He put up a hand when she started to speak.
“Not many people know this, but I was engaged several years ago,” he said, shoving his hands in his pant pockets and rocking back on his heels. “She dumped me when she realized I didn’t want to become a doctor after med school. It took me a long time to get over what we were to each other, longer than it should have. So, I get it.”
“I like you,” Cassie said sincerely, tears in her eyes. “I don’t want to hurt you when I’m still mourning the loss of what could have been.”
“Dreams of what could be are the worst delusions and the hardest to wake up from,” he said softly, a hint of sadness in his eyes.
Nate checked his wristwatch. “It’s late. You have work tomorrow, and I need to fly back to Maryland tonight.”
He stepped towards her and framed her face between his hands, his eyes so gentle and understanding that Cassie felt like crying.
“I like you too, Cassie, and we could be amazing together,” he said. “Selfishly, I want you to pick me because you believe that too. But I don’t want to be the fallback guy because you know he will never be an option.”
“I do believe that, but….” Cassie said, her voice drifting off when uncertainty reared its ugly head.
“Let’s do this,” he said, filling the silence. “I’m leaving on an R&D trip to Australia in a few days with a detour to Singapore. I should be back in about three weeks, four at the most. Take this time to figure out what you need and if things with him are truly over. I’ll accept your decision, whatever that is.”
He kissed her forehead, a sweet touch rife with friendship and caring, and then he was gone.
Cassie watched the red lights of his car fade into the distance and wished she could fall in love with Nate. But as things stood now, she couldn’t see herself loving anyone but Ethan.
When a Valentine meets their true love, it’s for life. But could a Ramsey believe that too?
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I almost forgot it was Thursday! lol But - better late than never!
FIRST, a few quick rules!
Please reblog your answer - don't create a new post. The point is to keep us all together in one place and to get to know each other.
You can answer any way you like - basic answer, headcanons, fics, moodboards, edits, artwork - be as creative (or not!) as you like.
Pixelberry Choices-related content only.
PLEASE BE KIND! People will have different options, thoughts, headcanons, and likes - and that’s a good thing. Be respectful of one another.
I'd like to thank @quixoticdreamer16 for suggesting this week's category! You're the best, Kate!
For Week 15 - We're sticking with YOU again.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 GUILTY PLEASURE CHOICES STORIES?
They aren't your favorite stories. You know they aren't the best of the best. But for one reason or another, you love them! Hey, it's OK - sometimes you want filet mignon, sometimes you want fast food burgers! What are your top 3 guilty pleasure stories?
If you’d like to be added to the tag list, let me know, but anyone can participate! Tags below break. 💙💙💙Keep reading
Queen B : There was a lot of controversy and a lot of things that Poppy did was just inhumane but I enjoyed it. Because for once we didn't have an innocent MC and had the option to be bad. Not to mention some of the sex scenes with Ian was really hot.
America's Most Eligible : It was the first book I played. And just like trashy reality shows irl, it was trashy but entertaining.
Shipwrecked : Even with its flaws, I quite enjoyed it.
How are all of my top 3 MCs an investigator in one way or the other? 😂
Meera is my brainchild. Alia is the baddest of the bitches. And Aishwarya fights the British Empire and finds out her sister's killer like a pro. All of them have my heart. 💜
Jeff Duffy (Veil of Secrets) : One of the best choices villans imo. I couldn't catch onto his act till the last moment and his smirking face after the reveal still haunts me. Truly a well written character.
Poppy Min-Sinclair (Queen B) : She doesn't need any further explanation. The things she did to MC and others should be called hate crime. The worst fictional person.
Duke Richards (Desire and Decorum) : It has been ages since I played D&D but this man still gives me the icks. Sexist, racist, misogynistic. Not to mention he literally tried to sexually assault MC. He'll be a part of the top 3 for me.
Ainna strikes again! How we give her a few little pieces and an idea, and she just brings it to life will never cease to amaze me! In my HC, Ethan & Kaycee's wedding day was last week, July 29th. It's a simple, informal affair held at a beach house they had rented on the Cape. It's also a surprise wedding. With guests thinking they're coming to a surprise birthday/engagement party for Kaycee, but the guests are the ones in for the surprise. Here's a little more about their big day. I'll be adding to it over time.
I hope you enjoy this little fic about how they spent the morning of their big day!
Book: Open Heart (Post Series)
Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Kaycee MacClennan)
Rating: Teen
Words: 1,400
Summary: They didn't want a lot of fuss, so they planned their "surprise wedding" in less than a month. On the morning of the big day, they remember they forgot to iron out a couple of details, but it all works out in the end.
A/N: @choicesmonthlychallenge (Throwback to February, Day 12, Marriage).
Kaycee peered out the bedroom window, perplexed to see the beach nearly deserted on a perfect July day. The homes on this part of the Cape owned the beaches that served as their backyards. Still, she and Ethan had had rented this property before, and on a Saturday in July, the neighbors were usually out in force. She let the curtain fall from her hand and shook her head.
“Ethan, what did you do?” she laughed to herself.
July 29th had arrived. She couldn’t say finally, as she and Ethan picked this day less than a month before, but it was hard to believe it was here. In just over an hour, they’d greet their guests, who would learn they weren’t sitting in traffic on Route 6 for Kaycee’s surprise birthday party. No, the surprise was all for them because today was their wedding day.
With the exception of her parents, Alan and Naveen, no one knew. They only caved and told them the week before, and now, she was glad they did. The four of them were happily attending to last-minute details – which she was convinced included threatening the neighbors to stay inside until the ceremony ended – leaving her to quietly enjoy her last hours as a single woman.
Also, she couldn’t have imagined getting ready for this day without her Mom. Rose had helped her into her wedding gown. Then she presented her with the pearl drop earrings she wore on her own wedding day, and Kaycee’s grandmother had worn on hers many years before. Even though Kaycee was going for a natural look, makeup still had to be reapplied after that. Now, with Rose off to ensure every flower was in its perfect place, Kaycee stood before the full-length mirror in her room, spinning in circles and watching the sheer, delicate lace of her gown dancing around her. Time spent planning be damned, she was allowed to say... the day was finally here!
A knock on the door startled her. She was pretty sure it was Rose making her way back, but just to be safe, she asked.
“Who is it?”
“It’s your future husband,” Ethan declared, a smile present in his voice. “I’m just checking to make sure you haven’t come to your senses and run away.”
“Hmmm, it was a close call,” she laughed through the door. “But Naveen stopped by and put this ankle monitor on me, so you’re safe.”
“Thank God for Naveen,” he chuckled. “You know, since Tobias still has no idea that he’s going to be my best man, I could change my mind and give the honor to Naveen.”
“Now, Ethan Ramsey! What has Tobias done for you to consider taking his title away?”
“Nothing. That’s just it; he’s done nothing, whereas Naveen prevented you from becoming a runaway bride.”
“Ethan,” she laughed. “If I was going to run away, it would have been long ago. You’re safe with me.”
Their conversation had all been in good fun, but those last four words left Ethan choked up. You’re safe with me.
“I know that,” he said with a cracked voice. “And I hope you know you’re safe with me, too.”
Kaycee leaned against the wooden door, a tender smile on her face. “Of course, I do, Ethan. Of course, I do.”
“Good,” he grinned. “And I heard two I do’s there. Excellent work, Rookie. Get practice in because I’m going to need you to say that one more time very soon.”
“Oh, I plan on it,” she reassured.
“So, we never really discussed it.. but when do I get to see you? It won’t be when you’re walking down the aisle, will it?”
“Considering we’ll be greeting our guests together, I think that’s a no. See, these are the things we would have ironed out if we had gone a more traditional route.”
“Any regrets?” he asked.
“Not one.”
“Good. But that puts me right back where I started. When do I get to see you?”
“Well... nothing is stopping me from opening this door right now.”
“All right, but shouldn’t I go grab the photographer? I believe it’s called a first look shot or something like that.”
“You could,” she replied with a question in her voice. “But I’m not of the belief that every moment has to be shared or recorded. Some of them should just be lived, and I want to share this with you and you alone. Is that all right?”
“All right?” He enthused. “I think I just fell in love with you a little more.”
“All right,” she beamed, bouncing on the balls of her feet with excitement. “Let me step back, and I’ll tell you when to open the door so we can see each other at the same time.”
Ethan’s heart began to race with anticipation. “Sounds good, but don’t make it long.”
“The room isn’t that big, Ethan,” she teased as she fluffed her skirt and positioned her lace train around her. “OK,” she beamed. “You can come in.”
His hand was already on the knob, and the door opened before Kaycee could complete the words. A puff of air escaped him, and he visibly stepped back when his eyes fell upon her.
“Kaycee...” he gasped, completely overwhelmed. “You look...” he wanted to say so much, but words truly escaped him.
“So, is it appropriate?” she giggled.
A bright smile spread on his lips, and he quickly closed the distance between them before taking his bride into his arms.
“You are breathtaking,” he breathed into her ear. “I knew you would be, but,” he stepped back with tears in his eyes. “Nothing could prepare me for this.”
“So... it’s definitely appropriate,” she grinned.
“I’m glad to see that getting married will have no impact on you being the wiseass I fell in love with.”
“Oh, never!” she assured. Moving closer, she smoothed out his lapel as Ethan wrapped his arm around the small of her back, pulling her tightly against him. “You look gorgeous, too,” Kaycee whispered. “Remind me how I got this lucky?”
“You,” he asked, lifting her hand over her head and giving her a gentle spin. His eyes drinking in every inch of her. “The lucky one is me, and I won’t hear any arguments.”
“We’re both lucky,” she smiled.
“OK, I’ll accept that one!”
“So,” she questioned. “We have a little time to kill before guests begin to arrive. What would you like to do?”
Ethan smirked, leaving little to the imagination. “If I did what I want to do right now, I promise, we wouldn’t be in any condition to greet our guests anytime soon.”
“We will save that for tonight, dear.”
“Yes, and we’ll be kicking people out early! But what would you like to do now?” he asked.
“I know! Why don’t we take a quick walk along the beach? I know it’s a small guest list, but even so... once everyone arrives, I won’t have you to myself until the end of the day. So, want to take a quick walk, just you and me?”
“I’d love that,” he smiled. “But you need one thing before we go.”
“I do. What’s that?”
Ethan stepped back into the hall, returning with Kaycee’s bridal bouquet in his hand.
“I think this will complete the picture.”
Kaycee held the bouquet to her nose, inhaling the beautiful fragrance of the soft pink and white roses and peonies in her bouquet.
“It’s so beautiful,” she sang.
“It is, but it pales in comparison to you.”
Kaycee reached up and pulled him into a tender kiss.
“Aren’t we supposed to wait until the officiant tells us to do that?” He asked.
“I won’t tell if you won’t.”
“Come on,” Ethan insisted as he took her hand. “Let’s take that walk so we’ll be back in time to greet everyone. Until then, I’m showing you off to everyone on the beach.”
“Speaking of that... who do you plan to show me off to? The starfish? Can you explain why none of the neighbors are on the beach on this gorgeous summer day?”
“Briberly,” he deadpanned. “Bribery may have had something to do with it. I also told them they could join us at the reception later.”
“I knew you were behind it!” she laughed as they approached the door.
But just before they reached it, Ethan stopped and turned to Kaycee, gently taking her face in his hands.
“I love you, Kaycee. I love you more than I could ever express, and I hope you know that.’
Reaching up, she gently squeezed his hand.
“I do. And I love you every bit as much. I hope you know that.”
“I do,” he smiled.
“Thank goodness,” she grinned as they stepped outside. “I do...now you’re practicing, too!”
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Look at you! You made it through another week! That is something to be proud of! Take each day as it comes this next week, the good, the bad, and everything in between. And don't forget to remind yourself that you are enough and you always have been! 💛 (PS - drink some water!)
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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Premise: Sienna is nervous about meeting Max’s parents, aka, her soon-to-be future in-laws.
Book: Open Heart (post series)
Pairing: Sienna Trinh x Max Valentine (M!OC)
Rating/Category: Teen. Fluff.
Words: 1,340
A/N: I've been missing Maxenna lately and got inspired by Meghan Trainor's Made You Look. I'm using @choicesflashfics week 44, prompt 1 (in bold). Submitting to @choicesmonthlychallenge August, National Couple's Day.
The walk-in closet in the swanky Georgetown apartment was littered with discarded outfits, a kaleidoscope of colors and fabrics. Time was running out, and the lone occupant in the room was ready to scream from frustration.
Wearing only a black lace bra and matching panties under her robe, Sienna Trinh riffled through the clothes hanging on the rack for a suitable dress. She should have gone shopping earlier; now, it was too late to do anything.
Too short. Too frumpy. Too slutty. Sienna ran through the litany of everything wrong with her clothes.
She’d spent the last eight years in and out of hospital scrubs and clothes designed for comfort during twelve-fourteen-hour shifts. Her limited wardrobe was not intended for fancy dinner parties with billionaires.
Sienna had moved to DC and in with Max Valentine a month ago. They’d been traveling ever since, first to visit her family in New Orleans, then vacations in St. Thomas and Paris. Now that she and Max were back in town, his parents had invited them for dinner.
Maybe she should fake a headache and end the misery now. Except, they would see right through that excuse, and she’d have forever damaged her relationship with her boyfriend’s parents.
Sienna glimpsed at the floor-to-ceiling mirror, and her face fell at the sight of her reflection. Her make-up-free face was haggard from worry, and strands of brown hair escaped whichever way from a messy bun atop her head.
“Whoa. What happened in here?” Max asked from behind her.
Sienna spun on her heels to see him standing in the doorway. His suit jacket was folded neatly on his arm, and a dark gray tie hung loose around his neck. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, revealing an expensive watch wrapped around his left wrist.
Seeing him looking like that after a full day at work, Sienna felt even shabbier.
Max was staring at the mess on the floor, eyes wide in astonishment. He was a neat freak, and it was probably driving him crazy. Great. One more thing she couldn’t get right, she thought in despair.
“I can’t do this,” Sienna said, her voice hitching on unshed tears. “Please apologize to your parents for me. Tell them I came down with a cold, a stomach bug, or something contagious. Just make it up.”
Max slowly walked towards her, his green eyes wary.
“I can do that,” he said, gently touching her shoulders. “But if I’m going to lie for you to my parents, you’ll have to explain why first. And make it good.”
“I have nothing to wear!” Sienna exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air.
“Okay,” he nodded. “I have a sister, so I know that’s Girl Code for ‘I’m nervous, and everything I own is ugly.’ Did I get that right?”
Sienna deflated when she realized he was serious rather than dismissive as she’d been expecting. She should have known better. After all, he’d never trivialized her feelings when they were friends. Why should now be any different?
“Here,” he said, folding her into his embrace.
Sienna nuzzled into him, the fabric of his dress shirt soft against her cheeks, and inhaled his scent. Her earlier panic dissipated the longer he held her.
“Want to tell me what’s wrong?” he said softly against her ear. “You’ve met my parents before, remember? You even had dinner at their house last year.”
Sienna leaned back in his arms, her hands resting on his upper arms, and smiled ruefully.
“Yes, but I was always Cassie’s friend before. Now I’m living with their son and heir, a man I barely went on a handful of dates with before moving in with him a month later. I’d be suspicious of me too.”
“First of all, Cassie and I are both their heirs,” Max said, leading her to the padded bench in the middle of the room. “Second, you and I have been circling each other for years, even if we didn’t make it official until recently.”
He placed two fingers on her chin and tilted her face up. “Third, my mother loves you. Probably more than she does me.”
“I see you didn’t mention your father in that sentence,” Sienna said, pursing her lips.
Max shrugged. “My dad will, too, once he gets to know you. He hasn’t had the same opportunities as my mom to spend time with you.”
“I’m so afraid I’ll mess up, use the wrong fork or dip my fingers in the soup instead of the water bowl,” she confessed anxiously.
Max laughed, tears of mirth leaking from his eyes.
“If I was dining with the Crawleys at Downton Abbey, I’d probably worry about that too,” he said, still chuckling. “Luckily, we’re dining with the Valentines at Country Club Hills, and there’s no water bowl or snobby butler in sight.”
“I’m being ridiculous, aren’t I?” Sienna said, more annoyed with herself.
“No, you’re not,” Max said. “I was terrified of your family, especially because your sister kept giving me the beady eye. So, I get it. But I survived meeting the parents of the woman I love, and you will too.”
Sienna covered her face with her hands and groaned in frustration before turning to face him.
“Tell me something about them. Your parents,” she clarified when he looked askance. “Doesn’t have to be major, just anything, even if it’s small, about Olivia and Robert, not Mr. and Mrs. Valentine.”
Max drummed his fingers on his thighs as he thought about the request.
“Okay. I don’t know if this counts, but,” he began slowly, “my parents have never spent more than a handful of nights apart since they got married.”
Sienna felt her heart melt at the sentiment, and her eyes softened as he continued his tale.
“Whenever my dad travels overnight for work, my mother accompanies him. Neither is happy unless the other is close. I remember once my mom was admitted to the hospital for a mild concussion after a skiing accident.”
Sienna smiled, watching the amused exasperation cross his face at the memory.
“My dad pulled strings with the board so they’d let him spend the night in her room on a rollaway bed. The damn thing was way too small, and he was uncomfortable, feet hanging off the end. But you couldn’t pay him to leave until she was discharged.”
“That is so incredibly romantic,” Sienna said, tears dripping down her cheeks.
“And incredibly embarrassing if you’re their kid,” Max grumbled with an exaggerated eye-roll and head shake. “They’re always touching, a hand pat here, a kiss on the side of the head there.”
“I love that!” Sienna gushed, recalling how she’d seen them do just that at Cassie’s wedding.
Sobering up, Max sighed and took her hand. “If you can’t do this tonight, I’ll call them to reschedule. Tell them I double-booked or something came up at work. They’ll understand.”
Sienna’s lips twisted in a wry grin at Max’s offer, and she shook her head.
“No, it’s okay. We should go.“ She glanced at the clothes lying on the floor and sighed morosely. “But I still don’t know what to wear.”
“Will you trust me to help you with that?”
“I trust you with parts of myself I’m afraid to show anyone else,” she said softly, giggling at the strange comparison. “So, yes. I can trust you to dress me appropriately for the occasion.”
He pulled out his phone and unlocked the screen.
“What’re you doing?” she asked curiously when he clicked on the FaceTime app.
“Calling the expert,” he replied just as Cassie appeared on the screen.
Telling his sister to hold on, he paused the call and peered intently at Sienna. “I’ll hold up the phone; you try outfit options with your bestie. Sound good?”
Sienna beamed in pleasure at his solution. Deciding her best friend could wait a few more seconds, she leaned in and slowly kissed his breath away with the promise of more to come later.
