Him by Carey Heywood (reading strategies book .txt) 📕

"I don’t think I need to be looked after," I grumble.

"God, I wish you wore a one piece. When did you even buy that?"

I feel tears threatening. I am trying so hard not to cry.

"Well?"

"I thought you said I looked nice before."

He flips over on to his stomach and doggy paddles over to me before resting his chin on the edge of my tube, right by my chest. He lowers his sunglasses so I can see his eyes. "You don’t look nice. You look fucking hot."

Holy shit.

Chapter 7

Present

"Isn't the point for them to be separate parties?" I lift a brow.

Christine is applying her eye makeup in the bathroom mirror. I was in the shower when she got to the house. Seeing as how I've only known my future sister-in-law for three hours, I know without a doubt she is a doll and perfect for my big brother. She's gorgeous, all willowy with her pale complexion, hair, and blue eyes, almost ethereal looking, especially next to Brian with his perma tan and dark hair. My brother and parents clearly adore her, and it's hard not to. She's confident without being forceful and warm without making it feel overly familiar. She'd thrown me for a loop, though, when she informed me we were going out tonight for her and Brian's joint stag party.

"Just think of it as a rehearsal dinner only for the bridesmaids and groomsmen."

Great, I thought. That means Will would be there. I tap my mouth, looking at the clothes I brought, trying to decide what to wear. I want to look nice, but I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard. I think back to my call with Sawyer, annoyed she talked me out of booking the first flight home. It's only a week, she said. You’ll be fine she said. Tonight is going to be my first time seeing him again, and I'm already about to panic. Christine comes to stand next to me. Of course she looks like a goddess in a light grey sheath dress that hugs her small frame. I like a sheath-style dress on top, but I'm too hippy to pull them off on the bottom.

"I think you should wear this one," she says, pulling down a cream wrap dress.

"You don’t think it looks too casual?" I argue, gesturing to her dress.

"We'll add a chunky statement necklace. You'll look amazing."

"You wouldn’t happen to have a necklace like that with you?" I know I don’t.

"Brian gave one to your mom for Christmas that would look perfect with this. I'll go beg her for it."

I laugh, doubting very much that Christine will have to beg. While she's gone, I slip on the dress. It is one of my absolute favorites and fits like a dream. When she comes back to my room with the necklace, my mouth drops. It’s beautiful.

"I know, right?" She laughs, taking in my expression as I turn and lift my hair for her to fasten it around my neck.

I turn to take in my reflection. Wow. The dress is simple. The necklace makes it look elegant. The necklace is four golden chains of clear glass beads. I have some simple gold hoops that will look great with it.

"So how are you doing your hair?"

"Um, probably down. Maybe with the ends curled under. I'm bringing a clip in my purse, though, because I'll probably want to pull it up before the night is over."

"I can curl it while you do your makeup," she offers.

My spidey sense is going off. "Is there a reason I should look so nice tonight?" I ask as innocently as I can.

I can see her stifle a smile, but she shrugs noncommittally. Interesting. This feels like a set up. My only hope is that their intended target isn’t Will. I finish applying my makeup before she's done with my hair. While she works, I ask her about how she met my brother. I'm curious what Will's part in the whole thing was.

Her eyes take on a dreamy, faraway look. She was new in town and had befriended Will. They were meeting for coffee one day when Brian saw her. Once he confirmed with Will that she was single, he asked for Will's help with an introduction. They ended up setting up a rouse where Will would meet Christine for dinner only to be called away for some made up emergency, and Brian would step in and have dinner with her instead. That night, after Will left, there were sparks between them from the moment they met. She laughs, telling me how nervous Brian was that night. She didn’t learn it was a set up until maybe three months into their relationship.

They were together for a year when they moved in together and then another year before Brian proposed. Earlier, when I first met her, I could tell how happy they made each other. Brian's face was absolutely beaming as he introduced her to me. As happy as I am for my brother, I cannot help but feel a pang of envy at what they have. My own love life is sorely lacking. I dated through college and after. If I'm being honest with myself, I use all of the traveling for my job as a reason to not let anyone get too close. What's the point? I met the love of my life in middle school. Problem is, he hadn’t felt the same way.

Christine spritzes my hair with hold spray, and I pull on some bronze, strappy, low-heeled sandals before tucking my clutch under my arm. I can hear conversation in the living room as we approach. My brother and Will are sitting on the sofa, my mother's fussing at my father in the next room. Brian and Will both stand as we enter the room.

"Man, you both clean up good," Brian jokes, walking over to kiss Christine.

"You're not so bad yourself," she replies, straightening his tie.

And she