Living Out Loud (Austen, #3)(61)

“That’s good. She probably hasn’t seen him either. And tonight, you’re going out, and you’re wearing that suit. There’s no way she’ll be able to resist you.”

A dry laugh huffed out of me. “Well, suit or not, we’re just friends, so I couldn’t say. In fact, I’m not sure how I got myself into this. Goddamn it,” I mumbled, the knot ruined again.

Sarah chuckled and pushed off the doorframe, walking around me to take the tie tails from me. “Here, let me.” Her hands went to work. “I think I know how you got yourself into this; you care about her.”

“And she isn’t available.”

She frowned, her head tilting as she worked on the knot. “You can’t give up. Greg, you’ve got to get her away from Will.”

“I know, but Sarah…I don’t know what to say to change her mind.”

“You told her what Will did, right? You told her he’s not a good guy?”

I sighed. “I can’t warn her off just because I don’t like him. I can’t do that to her. I can’t put her in that position. And telling her the details of the rumors your ex-boyfriend told about you in high school, as much of a nightmare as that was for you, wasn’t enough to warn her off from him for good. And if I push it, I’d look like a crazy person. I can’t force her to choose me. I can’t force her to leave him. She has to make her own decision, and I have to let her. And as hard as it is, all I can do is be her friend. All I can do is take what I can get and be there for her as best I can.”

Her eyes were on her fingers as she smoothed my perfect tie, her face tight, throat working as she swallowed. “I just…I’m so afraid she’s going to get hurt.”

My chest ached, my voice softening. “Hey, don’t worry, okay? Annie’s going to be all right.”

“It’s just…Greg, I’ve been wanting to talk to you—”

Dad knocked on the doorframe. “Thought you might want to know you’re about to miss your date.”

I glanced at my watch with a whirl of anxiety and swore. “Sorry, let’s talk later, okay?” I planted a kiss on her cheek and reached for my suit coat. “See you guys tomorrow,” I called as I left the room, then the apartment with my strides long and my heart thumping.

The cab ride across the park was quiet but for my thoughts, which wouldn’t quiet, wouldn’t slow down. My wonder over what Sarah had wanted to talk about was quickly washed away by the force of anticipation of Annie, worrying over what the night would hold as much as I was eager to live every moment. And my nerves just wouldn’t stop, not when I stepped out onto the sidewalk and not as I rode the elevator up to her uncle’s penthouse.

Especially not when the door opened to a cacophony of barking dogs.

I couldn’t help but laugh and pet them as an older woman did her best to wrangle while attempting to greet me over the pack of happy dogs. Elle made her way in and hugged me hello, introducing me to Susan before we fought our way past the dogs and inside.

“Sorry for the noise,” Susan said, her cheeks pink from exertion. “I love the beasts, but they have no manners.”

“It’s no trouble.”

Elle took my arm and ushered me in a little further. “Greg, I’d like to introduce you to our mother, Emily.”

A beautiful woman with Nice to meet you. We’ve heard so much about you,” she said.

Her hand was warm in mine. “Likewise. It’s a pleasure.”

“And this is Meg, our younger sister.” Elle gestured to a bright-eyed, smiling little girl who thrust her hand out for a shake.

When I took it, she squeezed with surprising strength and pumped it like a pro.

I just stepped back when I saw Annie.

She entered the room with the lightness I’d come to associate only with her. Her hair was shining and golden, smoothed and pinned into a twist. The dress she wore was a shade of navy so dark, it was nearly black, the neck high and sleeves capped, tailored at her small waist, but the skirt was flared and shifted against her thighs with every step.

I found myself unable to breathe; all the air had been drawn from the room the moment she walked in.

Annie smiled and made her way over. “Sorry I’m a little late. Are you ready?”

I managed to swallow and nod.

She kissed her mother on the cheek as Meg grabbed her around the waist and squeezed. And with another kiss for Elle, we were saying our goodbyes and waving our way out the door.

When the elevator doors closed, she sighed. “Your suit is gorgeous, Greg.”

Amusement and pride lifted one corner of my lips. “Not nearly as gorgeous as your dress.”

She smoothed her skirt, blushing. “Thank you. I have on heels and everything! I just hope I don’t break an ankle.”

I offered my elbow. “Guess you’ll just have to hang on to me.”

And she slipped her hand into the crook of my arm, smiling up at me. “Guess I will.”

“Mmm,” Annie hummed an hour later, her eyes closing for a brief moment. “You have to try this.”

She sliced off a piece of her chicken Kiev and spun her plate to put it in front of me.

I speared it, making sure it was well acquainted with the mushroom sauce before bringing it to my lips. “Mmm,” I echoed when it hit my tongue.