Strings of the Heart (Runaway Train #3)(22)

“Not really,” Allison replied.

“Exactly. So it’s yours as long as you’re not uncomfortable wearing a dress that is a few seasons old.”

Allison furiously shook her head. “No, I’d be happy to.”

Cassie grinned. “Then it’s all settled.” She turned to me. “Now you make sure to show our girl a good time.”

Fuck me that the words, “Allison” and “good time”, sent my perverted mind once again in a direction it shouldn’t have. Of course, it didn’t help I had such a delectable vision in front of me with her fitted dress and high-heeled boots on. Shit, I was so utterly screwed.

After sucking down the rest of my Crown, I met Allison’s gaze and plastered on what I hoped was a brotherly smile. “I’ll try my best.”

Chapter Four

As soon as I could clock out, I peddled like lightning home. I only had an hour to shower and get ready before I was supposed to meet Rhys at the Mercer Williams House. Considering I reeked of pizza and beer, I needed some time to transform myself so that I would look and smell acceptable for him.

I tore through the front door to find Cassie lounging on the couch. “There you are. I laid the dress out for you on your bed.”

“Thank you,” I panted. Without another word to her, I streaked down the hall to my bedroom. When I threw open the door, I bent over at the waist, bracing my hands on my knees to try and catch my breath. Once I had regulated my breathing, I jerked my head up and eyed the dress draped across my homemade quilt. “What the…?” I murmured, taking a few shaky steps over to the bed. “Cassie!”

“What?” she called.

“Get in here!” I demanded.

Within seconds, I heard her footsteps hurrying along the creaky old floorboards. When she burst through the door, she stared quizzically at me. “What the hell is the matter?”

I couldn’t find the words, so I pointed to the dress. Cassie crossed her arms over her chest. “Don’t tell me you don’t like it?”

Reaching my hand out, I lightly touched the silky material. “No, it’s not that. The dress is gorgeous.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

I didn’t know quite how to articulate that the little black dress was in fact an extremely tiny black dress. I took it in my hands and held it up to my body. “Don’t you think it’s a kinda…” I wrinkled my nose. “Slutty?”

Cassie threw her head back and laughed. “Well, duh, of course it is. After all, it came from Paris.”

As I eyed the bottom of the dress, I couldn’t help thinking the slits and tears in the fabric made it look like it had been caught in a paper shredder. I loved fashion, but at the moment, I was not digging the designer’s approach.

“You’re going to be a f**king knock-out in that dress. I predict that several guys will come in their pants at the mere sight of you.”

“Eww,” I muttered with a laugh.

With a knowing look, she said, “Would it be gross if it were Rhys blowing his load just looking at you?”

“Must you be so vulgar?” I said, mimicking the haughty tone I’d heard her mother use at Cassie’s antics.

Cassie grinned. “Why yes, darling, I must. And don’t try to change the subject from Rhys.”

Feeling warmth flooding my cheeks, I laid the dress back down on the bed. “I need to hop in the shower.”

“There you go avoiding it again. I know how you feel about him, Allison.”

“But he doesn’t know.”

“But he should. You need to tell him. Hell, if you can’t say the words, then you should show him with your actions.” When I opened my mouth to protest, Cassie shook her head. “I know what I saw the other night. The man may be in denial, but he is totally and completely into you.”

More than anything in the world, I wanted to believe what Cassie was saying was the truth. While I’d never had the chance to be alone much with Rhys, I couldn’t help but see how differently he had treated me yesterday, not to mention that he called me sexy and beautiful. Surely someone who just considered you their little sister wouldn’t say that. But at the same time, there was still far too much unsaid between us to believe that we had really turned a corner.

I shook my head at Cassie. “You don’t understand. What happens between us…it has to be all or nothing. If things were to go wrong, it would affect so many others besides us.”

“But you won’t ever know if it’s going to work or not if you don’t try.”

“Look, I know you’re right, but I just have to take things slow, okay?”

Cassie scowled. “Just how much slower do you plan on going? You’re already moving at glacial speed now.”

With a sigh, I held up my hand. “Can we finish this discussion later when I’m not running horribly late?”

“Fine, fine. Go shower the tomato and beer smell off you.”

I threw my arms around Cassie and squeezed tight. “Thanks for the dress, but most of all, thanks for caring about what happens between me and Rhys.”

She squeezed me back. “I just want you to be happy, Sonny.”

“I know.”

After I pulled away, she smiled. “Now hurry up. You don’t want to make Prince Charming wait too long.”