“How are things with you and Nick?” Reagan, asks unexpectedly as we sort through racks of shirts at a clothing store about a block away from our hotel.

“What do you mean?” I question, not sure what she’s driving at.

“How is it sharing a room with him?”

I try not to think about the last two nights I’ve slept in his arms. Can she tell just by looking at me? “He’s chill and fun to hang out with,” I reply with a one shoulder shrug, aiming for a nonchalant tone of voice. I don’t know if she’ll fall for it.

“Chill and fun? Sounds like my big sis has a crush on someone.” Nope, she didn’t buy my indifferent act.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, holding up a green shirt in front of me.

“Come on. I could see the sparks between you guys at dinner the other night. I’d have to be blind to miss them.”

“I find him mildly annoying. I wouldn’t call that sparks.”

“If you say so.”

“Well I do. Nick’s just a friend and really, I can barely call him that. He’s just a guy I kind of know.”

“He’s ridiculously hot; even you have to admit that.”

“He’s attractive.” I press my lips together and nod.

“Are you getting that shirt?” she questions, gesturing at the short sleeved one in my hands.

“Should I?”

“Yes, it’s about damn time you bought something that’s not pink. And while you’re at it, get this one too,” she says, shoving a light blue one into my arms.

“Yes, ma'am. Someone’s bossy today.”

“I’m bossy every day,” she replies with a smile.

“Is that how you keep Noah in line?”

“No that’s all about bartering for sex.”

“It seems like everything’s about sex,” I say.

“If you’re not having it then you want to be. If you’re having it then you wish it was better or that you were having more of it.” Blowing my long bangs out of my eyes, I continue, “or you think everything’s fine and then your boyfriend sticks his dick in someone else.”

“Sex is definitely important and if you wish it was better then you’re not with the right person. Or you need to tell him what to do to make it better. But you can’t let Joseph ruin all guys for you. He’s just one dickhead in the big sea of eligible fish.”

“You mean in a sea of eligible dickheads,” I say, snorting at my own joke.

She looks at me pointedly. “I know he hurt you, but you need to put yourself out there and give another guy a chance. There are plenty of good ones.”

“Like Nick?” I ask, assuming she’s talking about him.

“God, no. I love Nick, but he’s not the kind of guy I’d want to see you with. He’s Mr. No Commitments and I don’t think that’s something that would work well for you.”

Her words echo through my thoughts as I mull them over. She didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know or anything that he hasn’t said himself, but they still send up a red flag. I need to be careful with Nick. He’s attractive and fun. I could easily get caught up in the excitement that having his attention brings and where would that leave me? I’ve already invested too much time in someone who wasn’t worth the effort. I can’t make the same mistake again.

* * *

After three solid hours of shopping and eating lunch at a small cafe, Reagan and I headed back to the hotel. Napping seemed like the best plan if I’m going to be able to make it through the reception we have to go to tonight. Reagan said I had to be there, that it was “non-negotiable.” She’s been really bossy lately or maybe she’s always been that way and I’m just realizing it.

My eyes flutter open at the sound of a door closing. Glancing at the alarm clock, I notice it’s six. Crap. My head hit the pillow at two and I don’t remember waking up at all during the hours in between. I guess my nap was needed.

“Hey sleepyhead. Did I wake you?” Nick says, catching sight of me under the covers.

“Yeah, but it’s all good. I needed to get up now anyway.” Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I sit up as he sits down on the edge of the other bed.

“What did you guys do today?”

“We went shopping for hours. It was a nightmare.”

“You don’t like shopping?”

“I don’t mind shopping on the whole, but three hours of it is too much for me. And Reagan kept making me try on clothes. Getting undressed and dressed over and over is a pain in the butt.”

“I think I would have had a much better time if I’d gone with you than I did at the gym with Noah and Jimmy.”

My eyes trek over him, taking in his damp, ruffled hair. Sweaty looks good on him, but then again, what doesn’t?

“How’d it go?” I question.

“Great. Noah’s looking really strong. I think this will be a quick fight. Sanchez won’t make it out of the first or second round. That’s my prediction, anyway.”

“I hope you’re right and it goes that quick. I can’t imagine how nervous Reagan must get watching.”

“Will you come to my first game?”

“Your football game?”

“Yeah. You’ll also be a student at B.U. That gives you a vested interest in the football team that goes beyond us being friends.”

“I guess I could come watch. I’ve never been to a football game.”

“You’ve never been to a game? Not even when you were in high school? That’s unamerican.”

“No. I wasn’t really the social type and I was really focused on doing well in all my classes.”

“Will you get nervous watching me play?”

“Why would I get nervous?”

“Because you’ll want me to score a touchdown. Or maybe when you see me getting pummeled by some two-hundred-seventy-five-pound dude, you’ll be worried about me.”

I grimace at the picture his words paint in my mind. “I don’t know if I’d be worried, but I wouldn’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I’m indestructible. No need to worry about me, Candy.”

I don’t say anything to refute his cocksure stance. Instead, I ask, “are you going to shower?”

“Why?” Do you want to join me?” he fires back with a flirtatious grin.

“No. I want to know how much longer I can sleep before I need to get ready.”

I must have dozed back asleep while Nick was in the shower because I don’t remember anything until I feel the mattress sink down next to me and feel the back of his fingers caress over my cheek. “Hey, sleepyhead. It’s time to get ready.”

My eyes open unwillingly before fluttering shut again. “Do I really have to go? I’d rather stay here,” I mumble into my pillow.

“Come on. We’ll have a great time,” he urges.

“That’s debatable. I think I’d rather watch a movie and order room service.”

“Do you doubt my socialization skills? I promise that you’ll have a good time. I’ll make it my priority to make sure you’re enjoying yourself.”

“I suck at gatherings. I’m awkward and meeting new people stresses me out.”

“If you’re not having fun then I’ll personally escort you back here and we can watch a movie of your choice.” He raises an eyebrow at me. “Huh? What d’ya say? Do you trust me to look out for you?”

I study his face to see if he’s being sincere. He seems like he means what he said and I’m not really in a position to skip this reception, even if it’s an informal one. Reagan will kick my ass if I don’t go. “Yeah, I trust you,” I admit reluctantly.

“Okay then it’s time to get your lazy ass out of bed.” Nick slaps my rear through the covers.

“Hey,” I yell.

“Better get a move on unless you want another.”

Sitting up quickly, I stretch and yawn loudly. “I really don’t want to go to this party.” I slant him a pleading look.

“Come on,” he says, rising to his feet. Stretching his hand out to me, I allow him to pull me up off the bed until I’m standing in front of him. I’m suddenly aware of the fact that he’s only wearing a towel wrapped around his lean waist. One white piece of material is all that keeps him from being naked. He places both his hands on my shoulders. “You’re going to have a great time, Candy,” he reassures me. He turns me around until I’m facing away from him. “Now suck it up and get your ass ready before I dress you myself.” His hand slaps my backside once again and a yelp flees my lips as I scurry away from him. His deep chuckle follows me into the brightly lit bathroom.

I’m dressed, and my hair is slicked back in a ponytail within fifteen minutes. Glancing in the mirror, I slide some pink lipstick on my mouth. Halfway through, I grab a tissue and wipe it off. Fuck that. No more pink. Picking up a tube of red lipstick, I paint it on my lips and then smile at the small change. It’s funny how such a tiny thing can seem like a monumental step in the right direction. Add in my new green shirt and tight black pants and I’m feeling rather daring tonight; the sky’s the limit.

Nick whistles loudly when I step foot outside the bathroom. “Damn, Candy. You’re hot enough to set the sprinklers off in here.”

I smile at his words even though they make me somewhat self-conscious. No one has ever called me hot before. Not even my ex Joseph. He’d say I looked nice or my dress was pretty, but he never made me feel sexy like Nick’s heated stare and words do.

My eyes roam over him from the top of his pushed back dark hair to his wide shoulders hidden by a fitted black button-down shirt, tucked neatly into black dress pants. He’s monochromatic from top to bottom. He looks dark and sexy and dangerous to my libido. He promised to show me a good time, but now I’m wondering if the best option would be to avoid being near him tonight. I’m worried I might let him show me too good of a time. Once we cross that line we can’t hop back over and pretend it didn’t happen.

“You look nice too,” I say, averting my gaze.

Once we’re in the elevator, I pull out my phone just for something to keep me occupied and keep my eyes off him. Scrolling through my messages, I take my time, avoiding conversation until the steel doors quietly slide open. We exit side by side as I slip my phone into one of the pockets on my fitted black pants while my eyes search for any sign of Reagan and Noah. The sooner I find my sister, the sooner she can serve as a buffer between Nick and me.

“Let’s get some drinks,” he says, grabbing my hand, before I can pull away. His warm palm against mine has me imagining what his hands would feel like trailing over hidden parts of my body. Parts that would involve stripping my clothes off. His stride is long and fast. I’m unsteady on my high heels as I try to keep up. “Slow down, before I break my neck. Are you that thirsty?”

“No, I’m not. You had a deer in the headlights expression on your face and I figured you could use a drink. Just trying to be a good date.”

“This isn’t a date, Nick.”

“I’m trying to be the best escort I can,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Escort? You wish,” I snort.

“I had a sugar momma offer me money one time to be her boy toy.”

“Shut up. You did not.” I slap his arm with the hand he’s not holding.

“I’m not kidding. This really happened.”

“How did that even come up in conversation and who is she?”

“She’s someone who donates a lot of money to Boston University and she was getting a tour of the stadium guided by yours truly. I guess I was a little too charming because she propositioned me to be a kept man.” He grins, flashing his perfect white teeth. The poor woman didn’t stand a chance against that smile.

“Wow. I don’t know what to say to that.” I shake my head. “I don’t have enough money to be your sugar momma, although I am older than you.”

“What’s a few years between lovers?”

“It’s four years and we’re not lovers.”

“Not yet.” He smirks.