Page 28 of The Score

Her eyes take a quick perusal of my shoulders, chest, and arms. "You don't have to."

"I know. But I bet you'll enjoy it."

Her gaze roams over my chest for a few extra seconds, before she looks away to the house, then back at me.

"I will," she says, "but at what cost?"

I arch an eyebrow. She mirrors me. I'm not sure if our words are only about the honeymoon anymore, or the thoughts that might have crossed her mind. I don't let myself imagine.

"Don't be silly," I finally say. "Just take the trip. Take the damn break."

Take another look. As many as you want.

Ugh. I don't blame this thought on what I read. The way she looked at me just then is all her responsibility. When her eyes get lost on me with that particular glint, like she likes what she sees.

Yeah, those are the times when I have to be careful.

"Don't call me silly!" she insists.

"We've been friends for twenty years. I love spoiling you. When are you going to get used to it?"

Are you used to it? Do you want to look again?

Fuck. Okay. That one is on me.

She gives me a half-offended look. "What you've never understood is what I know will happen when you find your one true love. You'll spoilher, as youshould. And then I'm going to know what I'm missing because I've had it with you but then not anymore!"

"Pen, I'm a big guy with big pockets. I have plenty to give. I can spoil you forever if I want. Test me on this too."

She laughs. "How should I test you with this?"

"What kind of wedding do you want? And what about a reception? Tell me what color you want on the walls of your new room, and I'll make it happen before you move in."

"I've never imagined my own wedding like this!"

"You better start imagining it, because you and I are getting married, and I would never just do a courthouse wedding."

She snorts. "I bet you have a vision board somewhere."

"I'll share it with you."

She shakes her head. "Save it for your true love."

"Then let's start another one. Together. Let's make this a beautiful party. Dress in whatever dress makes you feel gorgeous. We'll do a tradition or two, and you'll dance with your dad, and throw your bouquet to a small group of friends. We'll want the memories, Pen. And if your dad doesn't cry, then we didn't do our job right."

She purses her lips and glances at me, but says nothing.

"Imagine it, Pen." I make my voice stern. "Picture what you want our wedding to be like. Think of getting married tome. We're going to make it happen."

She watches me for a few seconds and, when she shakes her head this time, it's only a tiny movement of irritation. Still, humor returns to her eyes.

"Sometimes," she says, "when you get bossy like this, I bristle. Right now? Ugh, right now I'll let you win."

"Finally. Did you have to fight me so much?"

"You're the worst!" She punches my arm and laughs.

I chuckle. "Now, let's plan how the hell we're going to tell our friends that we're getting married. We're seeing them next week for Damián's barbeque. We should make it special."