Page 47 of Too Good to Be True

“I made brownies too,” Kelsey said. “Do you mind cutting them into squares and setting them on a plate?”

“Not at all.” Stacy was glad for something to do. She’d glanced at the microwave clock and seen it was after seven, and Nick still hadn’t arrived. It wasn’t like him to be late.

“Don’t worry. He’ll be here,” Kelsey said as if she’d read Stacy’s mind.

“I’m not worried.”

“Yes, you are. By the way, you look great tonight. Love the outfit.”

“Thanks.” Leave it to Kelsey to boost her ego just when she needed it.

While she was cutting the brownies, the intercom buzzed. The loud noise caused her hand to jerk, resulting in a crooked line across the pan. She heard Jared answer the intercom and then Nick’s voice as he announced himself.

“I told you,” Kelsey said. “Come on. Let’s go out and say hi.”

Stacy set down the knife, wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans, and followed Kelsey into the living room. Jared was standing in the doorway, blocking Nick from view as the men greeted each other with a handshake.

“Come on in,” he said.

When Jared stepped aside and Nick came into sight, Stacy thought he looked even hotter than usual. His eyes locked on hers right away, and his smile lit up the room. For a moment, she forgot that anyone else was even there.

Kelsey stepped forward first. “Thanks for coming, Nick.”

“Of course,” he said.

“Hey, everyone. This is Nick Perez, a friend and coworker of mine and Stacy’s.”

The men exchanged handshakes, and Hudson said, “Welcome to Buckingham Square.”

“Thanks. It’s good to meet everyone.”

“Drinks and snacks are in the kitchen,” said Jared. “Kelsey can show you where.”

During the exchange, Stacy had stood mute, but when Kelsey and Nick moved toward her, she forced herself to speak.

“Hi.” It was all she could manage right then.

“Hi,” he said, looking amused.

Kelsey rolled her eyes, which Stacy saw, but Nick didn’t. She knew this because his gaze hadn’t left her, and now it skimmed down her body.

“You look…great,” he said, his voice sounding different somehow.

“Oh. Thanks.” She almost added, “So do you,” but then Kelsey cleared her throat from the kitchen, and Nick motioned for her to go first.

She felt a tingle travel up her spine as he followed her. Even though she couldn’t see him, she had a feeling he was perusing her, not because she was so confident, but based purely on instinct.

“Beer okay?” Kelsey asked him.

“Fine with me.”

“Good, because it looks like that’s all my brother has!” She pulled a Bud Light out of the cooler and handed it to him. “Stacy?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you want one too?”

“Sure. Thanks.”