wanted you to shoot an ad on the same day and you didn’t know who to pick, you made pecan fudge brownies.”
Anton snaps his fingers. “Oh! And when you were trying to decide if you wanted to take blonde Molly or brunette Molly to the SURFER Awards, you made blonde brownies with maca…maca-whatever they’re called nuts.”
I look at them both like they’re crazy.
“So, what’s the great debate?” Brooks asks, stealing the bowl once and for all.
“It’s a long story,” I say as I crack open the oven door to check on said brownies.
“Alexa, how long is left on the timer?” Anton asks.
“There are twenty-two minutes left on your timer,” comes her robotic reply.
The jackass smirks. “Sounds like you have plenty of time to sum shit up to me.”
“Ugh.” I tug on the ends of my too-long hair. “Fine.”
Turns out, it only takes ten minutes to catch them up—plus five after they finish ribbing on me. It also turns out I’m a dumbass and should definitely text her.
Dane: I was an ass today Dots.
Her reply is instantaneous.
Dots: Yeah, you were.
Dane: Let me take you out to make up for it.
Dots: Like on a date?
Shit. Is it a date? I think…I think I want it to be.
Dane: Yeah. A date.
Dots: Tell me when and where.
Dane: Nah. I’ll pick you up. Tomorrow night at 7. Say yes.
Dots: Yes.
SIX
Thea
“YOU’RE GOING ON a date with Dane!” Blue squeals for the fiftieth time as she rifles through my closet for an outfit. It seems I’m not capable of dressing myself for such a momentous occasion.
“Yup, I am,” I reply coolly, even though on the inside I’m every bit the bouncing, excited mess Blue thinks I should be.
She scoffs but continues flipping through my hangers. “Oh, wait! I think this is it!”
She emerges victorious with a black wrap-style maxi skirt that has a thigh-high slit and a black lace bralette. It’s one of those impulse-buy outfits you fall in love with but never wear because it’s so not you.
Which is exactly what I tell her. “Blue, I’ll look like a clown in this.”
She tilts her head, studying me. “If by clown you mean crazy hot, then yes. Quit your bitching and get dressed.”
Stripping down to my panties, I roll my eyes at my insufferable best friend. I step into the skirt and shimmy the soft fabric up my legs before tugging my underwear down—nobody likes panty lines—and slipping the lacy bra over my head. As much as I hate to admit it, she’s right…I look hot.
Blue quirks her brow in a way that says told you so.
I ignore her and finish getting ready. I don’t bother with my hair, it’s wild with a mind of its own and I learned to roll with its whims a long time ago. Thanks to good genes and a healthy tan, I don’t need much in the way of makeup; a little bronzer, a few swipes of mascara, and slick of peachy-tinted lip gloss and I’m good to go.
She gives me an appraising once over as she heads for the door. “My work here is done. Have fun, use condoms!”
“Why are we friends?” I mutter under my breath, not meaning it one bit. Blue’s been with me through it all and I fucking love her like a sister.
Fifteen minutes later, at seven on the dot, there’s a knock at my front door. My inner asshole tries sending a wave of nerves through me, but I lock her away. Not tonight, asshole.
“Holy shit,” Dane breathes out when I open the door. “You look…stunning.”
I can feel the burn of my blush but ignore it, opting instead to drink him in. He’s dressed in a turquoise and green plaid button-down that makes his eyes pop, a pair of light-wash, lived-in jeans, and leather flipflops. He’s basically every beach girl’s walking fantasy come to life—myself included.
“You look good too.”
He smirks. “You ready?”
I lock up and follow him out to his truck, where he opens the door for me and helps me into the lifted cab. “Where are we going?” I ask once he’s situated behind the wheel.
“Wait and see. Let me woo you, Dots.”
Laughing, I lay my head onto the seat back. “Okay, Dane. Get your woo on.”
He shoots me a cocky grin. “Trust me, gorgeous, I’m gonna woo the panties off of you.”
Butterflies—or maybe lust—swirl through me as I roll my head to look at him. “That’d be great if I had any on.”
• • •
Dane
I slam on the brakes as the full force