“So does everyone get ready in here?” I asked as I surveyed the number of people in our room.
Nick leaned toward me, his lips close to my ear. “Yes, Miss Michaelson, but we have our own bathroom. You won’t have to share with anyone unless you want to.”
I smiled at the way he seemed to think of the small details before I had even considered them. Nick’s thoughtfulness was something that made me feel special.
“Except for me. You have to share with me.” He winked before wrapping a strong arm around me. “And after we get changed, we’ll take pictures and head out.”
“Take pictures?” I asked, getting lost momentarily in the depths of his blue eyes.
“Hell yeah. If you think I’m not documenting this evening, you’re crazy,” he said before planting a kiss on my forehead. “Go get ready.” He smacked my ass and sent me in the direction of our room.
“Rachel, come get ready with me,” I yelled over the music that was now blaring from someone’s travel speaker.
“Be there in a minute,” she shouted back, then downed another shot.
Rachel and I took over the bedroom and hogged the bathroom, forcing Nick to change in another bedroom with Trevor. Rachel helped curl my hair into beach-like waves that fell loose over my shoulders, but her normally wavy long dark hair had been straightened.
I had to smile at the sight of us in the bathroom mirror. Each of us had done the opposite of our normal styles. “Thanks so much for your help.”
“Of course. Your hair looks pretty like this.” She reached for a few strands and ran her fingers through them, making the waves even looser.
“My dress is in my room with Trevor. I’ll just change in there,” she said, and gave me a hug before walking away.
Outside my room, I heard her tell Nick that he couldn’t go inside, that I wasn’t done yet and would come out when I was ready. I laughed to myself as I put the finishing touches on my makeup.
The smoky eyeshadow made the blue in my eyes stand out even more, and the contouring I’d done on my face pronounced my usually undefined cheekbones. I finished the look with a practically nude lip and smiled at my reflection.
Reaching for my dress hanging in the small closet, I pulled it off the hangar and stepped into the black-and-white fabric. The top was fitted, hugging every one of my curves until it reached my hips and flared out slightly, stopping short well above my knees.
After one last spritz of hairspray, I headed toward the closed bedroom door and pulled it open. Nick happened to be standing right outside of it, and when he turned to face me, his jaw immediately fell open.
“Jess.” He scanned me from head to toe. “You look beautiful.”
My cheeks burned as I gave him a once-over, approving of his black-and-gray suit. “Thank you. You look gorgeous.” When my gaze settled on his dark hair, I said with a wink, “But I miss the hat.”
“You do not. Do you really?”
“Kinda.” I shrugged. Nick was hot as hell, but something about him in a baseball hat really worked for him.
“Can I wear it? My hat?” He sounded almost timid, like I might yell at him for even suggesting such a thing.
“I don’t care. Why not?”
His face lit up like a little kid who’d just been told he could have a puppy.
It was just a fraternity formal in college; it wasn’t like we were going to an event at the White House. Who cared if he wore a baseball hat or not? Certainly not me.
“You’re the best damn girlfriend in the world,” he said before kissing my cheek and disappearing into our room. He walked back out a second later, wearing his black baseball hat turned backward.
I smiled. “You look even hotter now.” And he did.
“No other girl would ever let me wear a hat to formal. I fucking love you,” he said, and we both froze as his words sank in. “Y-you know what I mean.”
I averted my eyes, pretending my heart hadn’t just soared out of my chest and was currently playing hopscotch in the clouds.
“I know what you meant,” I said, biting my lip to keep the dopey smile off my face as I tried to rein my heart back down from the sky.
Nick gathered our group and we headed downstairs. We took a ton of pictures in the courtyard of the hotel, surrounded by lush flowers and green shrubbery. I was secretly thrilled at the idea of having pictures like this with Nick. His arm was tight around my waist, pulling me close against him at all times.
“Let’s eat,” Trevor announced in a loud voice, then reached for Rachel and tugged her toward the double doors.
“Guess we’re done taking pictures,” Nick said with a laugh as he took my hand.
The ballroom where the event was being held was decorated like for prom, but with less fanfare. A DJ was set up in one corner, spinning tunes in the background that were pretty low-key. The round tables were covered with dark blue cloths, with centerpieces of multiple ivory candles in various heights. The decor was elegant in its simplicity.
Nick and I took our time wandering through. When we reached our table a few moments later, I was thankful to see Rachel and Trevor already seated, eating salads.
“Guess he really was hungry,” I whispered to Nick, motioning toward Trevor.
“Never stand between a man and his stomach.”
“Good tip.”
Nick pulled out a chair for me next to Rachel, and I smoothed the back of my dress as I sat down. “Thank you.”