satisfaction.
“Wow.”
“No, wow is going to be when you get this dress on,” Monica says and turns toward my closet where the dress in question hangs on the front of the door. “If Callum’s jaw doesn’t hit the floor, he’s not a red-blooded man.”
“That’s what I told her,” Natasha says. “Also, it’s a good thing there will be a lot of doctors at the gala tonight because the back on this dress will give most of the men in attendance heart failure.”
“You two are way too good for my ego,” I laugh as I carefully strip out of my loose tank top and shorts and reach for the dress, not caring in the least that I’m mostly naked in front of these girls.
They’ve seen me at my most naked—when I was broken and crying or scared and unsure. Physically nude is nothing in comparison.
I slip into the amethyst-colored gown and turn in a circle for my friends to see.
“Holy Mary, mother of God,” Monica breathes. “I would give up both ovaries to be able to wear a dress like that. And I’m trying to get pregnant.”
“Same,” Natasha says with a sigh. “Except for the pregnant part. Because, no.”
I turn and look at my back in the mirror. “You guys, it’s literally millimeters away from my ass crack. That can’t be okay. What if I sit down, and it pulls a certain way, and you can see my crack?”
“You’re a grown woman,” Monica says with a scowl. “Sit carefully. If a light breeze hits your crack, readjust.”
I roll my eyes. “Great. Also, I didn’t know you and your husband were trying to get pregnant.”
“It’s a new thing,” Monica says with a shrug. “I was afraid if I talked about it, it might jinx it. But you’re my best friends, and a girl has to talk about this stuff.”
“It’s gonna happen,” Natasha says with a sage nod. “You just have to bone him like…all the time.”
“Well, that’s never been an issue,” Monica says with a laugh. “But enough about me. Aspen, you’re stunning, and I almost hate you for it.”
“Speaking of boning,” Natasha says, “you’re so gonna get some tonight, Aspen. He won’t be able to keep his hands off you.”
“I’m not sleeping with him,” I insist, shaking my head. “This is a favor for Ellie. I’ll be cordial, I’ll enjoy Ellie and Nina, and then I’ll come home. No sex. No flirting.”
“Well, that’s damn boring,” Monica says. “He’s a prince for fuck’s sake, and he’s clearly into you. At least flirt a little. You owe it to all of the other women in the world to take one for the team here.”
“You’re sick,” I reply with a laugh. These two always make me laugh, calm my nerves, and make me feel like there’s nothing I can’t do.
They’re the reason I got up the nerve to buy Drips & Sips in the first place, rather than being content just working there. Monica and Natasha are the best friends a girl could ask for.
The doorbell rings, and I freeze.
“Awesome, we get to watch him swallow his tongue,” Natasha says with an excited little shimmy as she takes one final look at me and then gestures for me to follow Monica to the door.
Callum has just stepped inside, holding flowers, and is smiling at something Monica said when his eyes shift, and he catches sight of me.
“Totally just swallowed his tongue,” Natasha whispers in my ear and then steps away. Callum’s eyes are round, and he has to take a moment to swallow hard. It gives me time to take him in. He’s wearing a black suit with a white shirt and a blue tie. He’s just so…hot. Square jawline, dark hair and eyes, and when he clenches his jaw in the way he’s doing now, I want to leap on him and kiss him.
But this is a favor for Ellie. Nothing more.
“Are you still punishing me, then?” he asks.
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll have me on my knees, begging for mercy before the evening is over.”
I laugh, but his eyes tell me he’s not kidding.
“Thank you. You look dashing yourself.”
He grins and steps toward me. “I remembered how much you like flowers.”
Pink roses this time, and I can’t resist burying my nose in them to fuss over the blooms for just a moment.
“They’re lovely.”
“I’m happy to put those in water for you before we go,” Monica says, taking the flowers from me. “You two should be on your way.”
“Thanks for everything,” I reply. “Just let