A SEAL's Courage (Military Match #1)(14)
Lauren leaned back and narrowed her gaze on Elise. “What do you know that I don’t?”
Mandy and Steph had been tight-lipped all week, hinting they had a surprise but refusing to share. It had her on edge. With these two, anything was possible.
Mandy straightened off the counter, her mischievous grin somehow widening. “That birthday surprise we told you about starts now.”
Before she could ask what kind of surprise, Steph grabbed her arm and tugged her around the counter. “We’re kidnapping you for the day, babe.”
The young woman she’d been in the process of helping smiled. “Happy birthday.”
Lauren laughed and shook her head. “Thank you. Hope your son’s birthday is fantastic.” She planted her feet, stopping on the other side of the counter, and turned a frown between Mandy and Steph. “Guys, I can’t just leave the shop. We don’t close until nine.”
Elise, having taken over boxing up the customer’s cupcakes, paused to wave her hands at Lauren.
“I’ve got the shop until Jean gets here at six. Lilly is coming in tomorrow morning to help me bake. The cakes for tomorrow are finished. All we’ll need to do is bake for the day.” Elise winked. “We got this. Go have fun. You deserve it.”
“You heard the lady. Your job today is to have fun.” Steph moved behind her, gripped her upper arms, and pushed her out the door.
The chime dinged as Mandy pushed through behind them. “Thanks, Elise! You’re a doll.”
Elise’s voice echoed from within the shop. “You just make sure that masseuse has muscles on top of muscles!”
Outside on the sidewalk, Lauren pursed her lips, looking from Mandy to Steph. Never mind that they’d enlisted the help of her assistant. Neither woman even looked guilty about it. Nope. Mandy and Steph looked pleased with themselves. “Masseuse? What did you do?”
“First up is a day at the spa.” Mandy grabbed her hand and tugged her down the sidewalk. “Then we’re going shopping.”
Steph winked at her as she fell into step beside them. “You’re going to need something sexy for tonight.”
Lauren planted her feet, turning to look between Mandy and Steph. “Wait. What’s tonight?”
Mandy’s gaze shot to Steph before returning to Lauren. Her eyes lit up. “We’re throwing you a party! We rented out the Cypress Room at the Four Seasons. A live DJ and a professional bartender. I invited Mark and Scott, that gay couple whose wedding I planned last year? They’re bringing their straight friends.”
Steph winked. “And I’ve invited a few of the single lawyers in my office.”
“Oh God, you didn’t. I’m officially that pathetic friend.” Lauren released a heavy breath and closed her eyes, exhausted by the prospect of the evening. “I don’t know if I’m up for this, guys. I’ve had quite enough humiliation lately from the male persuasion. If one more man decides I’m not his type, I may just decide to join a convent.”
Mandy squeezed her hand. “It’s not a singles party. It’s just a huge blowout. Because we can. Trent will be there. Will and Skylar and her sisters, Belle and Savannah are coming, too. It’ll be a blast. You’ll see.”
Lauren laughed for Mandy and Steph’s sake, but her stomach knotted. After her complete and utter humiliation last week, she didn’t know if she was ready to see Trent again. How the hell did she act around him now? Did she blow it off? Pretend she hadn’t propositioned him—twice—and he hadn’t turned her down? That was the trouble. She wasn’t sure she could.
Mandy tugged on her hand. “Come on. It’s just a party. You deserve to have a little fun. Let your hair down for a change. But right now we’re having a spa day.”
Chapter Four
Trent peered out at the crowd before him. It was a little after eight, and the Cypress Room of the Four Seasons was jam-packed with bodies. The left side of the room, where he currently sat, contained a small buffet full of everything from finger foods to slices of birthday cake. A DJ’s booth sat along the far wall. The majority of the people who’d come were all crowded in front of it, shaking and gyrating to the upbeat music. A fun, buoyant atmosphere pervaded the space and every person in it.
Everyone but him. The music bouncing off the walls throbbed through his skull, and the sheer number of bodies made him claustrophobic. Which was why he’d chosen to sit near the buffet. He was being a humbug, but he’d had to come. To show Lauren she was important to him, but also simply to see her, to be near her.
Lauren, however, appeared to be keeping her distance. A week had passed since the night he’d gone over to her place to apologize, but clearly she was still upset with him. She’d hardly glanced in his direction since he’d arrived an hour ago. The few times she had, her expression and had been cool and aloof. Would she even miss him if he left?
The problem was, he couldn’t make his legs move. She mesmerized him. Out on the dance floor, Lauren was in the center of it all with Mandy and Steph. Wearing a long-sleeved black crop top that showed off her flat stomach and a pencil skirt that clung to her every blessed curve, she looked damn near edible. She wore heels again, these not so obnoxiously high, and God he loved her in them.
The light in her eyes held his attention. The smile illuminating her face seemed never ending. That four guys currently vied for her attention wasn’t lost on him either. And yes. He was jealous. Damn it. His gut burned with the overwhelming desire to insinuate himself into the midst of them and proclaim her all his.