Bring Down the Stars (Beautiful Hearts Duet #1)(29)

“Jesus, dude,” I said.

“What? That’s exactly what you told me to do.”

“Not like that,” I said. “I told you she needs romance.”

I don’t know, she wrote. I have so much work to do already.

“Fuck,” Connor said. He nudged me with his phone. “Wes, man, you do it.”

I blinked. “Do what now?”

“Ask her out for me. The right way.”

I stared.

“Look, this girl is special. I’m not too proud to admit I need back-up getting things rolling with her.” He grinned that winning smile. “C’mon. Just this once.”

“But…”

Connor shoved his phone into my hand. “Come on, man. Do what you do. Write something witty and poetic. Something that’ll impress her enough to get me another text. Another…anything.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “Write something that knocks her on her ass and gets me in the door. That’s all I ask.”

I looked at Connor’s phone in my hand and Autumn Caldwell’s text, waiting for an answer. I felt my best friend’s expectations literally breathing down my neck as he leaned over me.

Ignoring the small ache in my heart, I thought about what I would’ve said to Autumn had it been my phone in my hand and began to type.





Autumn



“I’m ready,” I said, smoothing the flared skirt of my black halter dress. “At least, I think I am. Is black too formal for a first date?”

Ruby, sprawled on the couch, looked up from her magazine. “Girl, you look amazing. That dress is perfect for the Rostand. Connor is going to lose his mind.”

“He can keep his mind and use it for stimulating conversation.” I sucked in a breath and smoothed my skirt again. “I’m nervous. Why am I nervous?”

“Because you haven’t had a first date in ages. You aimed high with Mr. Drake.”

“I’m not aiming for anything,” I said. “No expectations. I’m just going to see what happens.”

“Uh huh,” Ruby said. “How many times have you read that text of his?”

“Oh, hush. I haven’t read it in days.”

Because I had it memorized.

You’re the Halley’s Comet of girls. The kind that doesn’t come around but maybe once in a life. I don’t want to spend the rest of mine wondering what might’ve been if I hadn’t tried, one last time, to take you someplace where every man will stare at you and wish they were me.

My cheeks warmed and Ruby raised a brow.

“Okay, fine,” I said. “I’m hoping for romance. For electricity. The same kind I felt while reading that text. What if there isn’t any?”

“What if there is?”

“Maybe this was a bad idea.”

Ruby wagged her eyebrows. “Bad ideas are my favorite kind.”

I jumped as the door buzzer buzzed.

Ruby checked her phone. “Not even six yet. A little early for dinner, isn’t it?”

“He wants me to see the sunset from the Rostand’s top deck.”

“Wow,” she said. “I wouldn’t have pegged him for a romantic, but I’ve been proven wrong twice now.” She shook her head, laughing. “You are such a goner.”

“No expectations,” I said. I went on muttering it under my breath like a mantra as I went to hit the button on the intercom. “I’ll be right down,” I called.

“Have fun,” Ruby said. “Text me if you’re bringing him back here. I’ll crash at Deb and Julie’s. Or maybe I’ll give Hayes a call. How far a drive is it from here to Wesleyan?”

Since meeting at Weston’s track meet, Ruby and Hayes had been texting and calling each other all week.

“It’s about an hour,” I said.

“Definitely within my range.”

“I’m not bringing Connor back here,” I said, throwing on a black cardigan. “Just dinner.”

“After dinner comes dessert.”

I shot her a look as I grabbed my purse.

“Come on.” She rifled through her magazine. “You’re trading fuddy-duddy Mark Watts for Connor-flipping-Drake. This is like watching a brand new rom-com after staring at PBS for two years.”

“I’m so glad my love life is your entertainment.”

“The farm girl and the rich city boy,” Ruby said. “Episode One: the first date.”

“Good night, Ruby.”

She blew me a kiss, and I went out.

At the bottom of the outside steps, Connor waited. His back was to me, broad beneath a fitted dress shirt, tapering down to a narrow waist in tailored dress pants.

His ass is perfect.

I blinked at my own errant thought, and composed my stare just as he turned around.

“Hey,” he said, and the slow smile that spread over his face was better than a thousand compliments. “You look incredible.”

“Thank you,” I said, my gaze caught on his handsome face. Thick brows, a broad mouth. His eyes were like chips of emeralds fringed by long lashes. A shadow of stubble over his strong jaw.

“Ready?” He offered me his arm.

My fingers slid around his elbow, feeling the smooth skin and muscle beneath his rolled-up shirt sleeve. We walked toward a brand-new-looking sports car, parked at the curb and begging attention. Dark gray with bright red brakes underneath chrome wheels. The front grill made me think of a snarling dog baring its teeth.