One Baby Daddy (Dating by Numbers #3)(28)

“Of course, but I was going to go with a natural look with my makeup, not too much since it’s going to be late.”

Shrugging her shoulders and casually picking up the magazine again, she says, “If it were me, I would wear a dress and make it impossible for him not to stare at me. Works with Tucker every time, then again, he usually sees me in scrubs, so when I get dressed up, his eyes pop out of their sockets.”

“I don’t know.” I pull on the hem of the dress that reaches mid-thigh. “Maybe something more subtle. This is a little slutty.”

“Do the pink sundress. It’s more casual but still pretty and looks great against your tan skin. It’s going to pop, plus it gives you great cleavage.” Tossing the pink dress at me from the pile that’s formed on my bed, she says, “Put it on. Trust me, it’s the winner.”

Since there is no modesty between Emma and me, I take off the slutty-looking dress and put on the pink one. I adjust my bra in the cups of the dress and look in the mirror. Emma is right. It’s casual but pretty and gives me great lines.

“And if you wear your hair down in loose waves, add a touch of makeup, he’s going to be begging to kiss you.”

Before we started trying on dresses, I filled Emma in on my little kissing problem with Hayden. To say she was giddy over our budding relationship is an understatement. It took her at least five minutes to stop squealing over everything I said, and now that she’s calmed down, she’s bound and determined to help me get that kiss.

“He’s different than any guy I’ve ever been with. I could answer the door naked, and I’m pretty sure he still wouldn’t kiss me. I can tell he’s physically attracted to me, that doesn’t go unnoticed, but I’m shocked by his restraint. For some reason, I thought athletes were horn dogs, you know, all that adrenaline and masculinity pumping through them.”

“I think Hayden is exactly what you need.” Emma peers at me, true honesty in her eyes, the kind of honesty only a best friend can give. “Ever since I met you, you’ve been one and done with men, never really continuing past a first date.”

“Because none of them were worth it.” I shrug casually.

“Or maybe because you didn’t care enough to give the guys a second chance. But Hayden is different. I can tell you really do care about him.”

I fiddle with the right strap of my dress, adjusting the length. Up and down, up and down. “Maybe it’s because he’s one of the first guys ever to treat me the way my brothers always said I should be treated.”

Realization hits me as the words come out of my mouth.

It’s true.

From as early as I can remember, my brothers have told me countless times how I need to be treated like a lady, how the guy I date needs to be open and honest. How he needs to respect me not only for my body but for my mind too.

Hayden is physically attracted to me, yes, but when I’ve given him the opportunity to push further, he hasn’t taken it. And when he speaks of my job, of my education, he’s in awe, like I have the hardest job he’s ever heard of. It makes me feel . . . valued.

He makes me feel accomplished.

He makes me feel like I’m more than a pair of legs, like I’m a good human being.

And that’s what my brothers want, for me to be appreciated for who I am. Not only what I look like.

“I think you’re right.” Emma gets up from my bed and stands behind me, both hands on my shoulders. She looks into the mirror, staring at my reflection. “He’s a good guy, Addie. I’m really happy for you.”

But . . .

“He’s not here forever.”

She squeezes my shoulder. “If it’s meant to be, you’ll work it out, but for now enjoy yourself, enjoy him.”

“I don’t want to get hurt.”

“I don’t want that either, so take one step at a time. If he’s smart enough, he’ll know that when it’s time to go back to Philly, he’ll make whatever is going on between you two work.”

“You think so?” I bite on my lip, feeling so unsure.

Emma gives me a get real look. “Adalyn, he’s one of the few high-profile hockey players out there we rarely hear about. He’s not in the tabloids with women hanging off him at every event. And you’ve figured out by now that Racer, as much as he is a lunatic at times, he’s good people. And by association, Hayden is too. I mean, he went around to hospitals in the area looking for you. That was so damn sweet. And, I’m pretty sure it means he’s going to put in the effort where you’re concerned.” She presses her fingers into my brow, dissolving the tension in my forehead. “Now stop worrying. You have a cake to make.”

Shit, I do. And it has to be perfect.

Like how Hayden seems to be. Perfect.

Chapter Nine

HAYDEN

“Can you stop dancing for the love of God and finish this damn thing?” I beg of Racer who won’t stop dancing to the playlist he created “just for this occasion.”

Huffing, he steps up next to me and starts hammering the two-by-fours into place. “You’re telling me you can listen to ‘Get your Freak On’ by Missy Elliot and not want to bust a move? Dude, she’s a lyrical master.”

“As much as I appreciate the beat, I have things to do tonight.”