In her hands is the invitation to one of the biggest parties of the year. A Couples-Only Valentine’s Day ball, hosted by the governor’s daughter, Summer Roberts. It just so happens that Warren and I ran with her group of friends at Chapel Hill. A lot of us were in dental school together. Warren and I were supposed to go to the ball together.
Reaching for the invitation, I take it and toss it back onto the mail stack. “I can’t go to that party. Warren’s going to be there with his new big-busted dental hygienist.” Guess now I know why he always hired young, beautiful women for his staff. None of them were above thirty-five-years old. Not only am I thankful Warren and I didn’t live together, but I’m even more happy we didn’t open a dental practice together. I really dodged a bullet with that one. As far as break ups go, mine and Warren’s was pretty clean. Not everyone can be that lucky.
Ellie leans over the counter and takes the shot glass out of my hands. “It’s all the more reason for you to go.” I try to grab the shot glass, but she moves it away, grinning slyly.
I glare at her. “And who exactly am I supposed to go with?” It’s one week till the party and I know no one that isn’t friends with Warren.
Ellie’s grin widens. “What would you say if I got you a date? That way, you can show Ole Limp-Wristed Can’t Keep His Dick In His Pants that you’re not sitting here moping around while he plays Hide the Noodle with his homewrecking hygienist.”
I can always count on Ellie to make me laugh. “Who do you have in mind? I know all of your friends.”
Ellie hands me my shot glass back. “Guess who comes into town tomorrow from California?” She says it in a sing-song voice and I already know who she’s talking about.
There’s only one person I know that’s been in California. I suck back the vodka and shake my head. “Not just no, but hell no. I’m not taking your little brother to the Valentine’s Day ball.”
“Why not?” she snaps, crossing her arms over her chest. “He’s not little anymore, Sophie. He’s twenty-six-years old, only a year younger than you.” She pulls out her phone. “He’s changed since he left town. Let me show you.” It’s been nine years since I’ve seen Tanner Hayes. He left for California and stayed there after college. The last time I saw him he was tall and lanky with glasses and bad acne.
Ellie shows me her phone and there’s a picture of a blond haired, blue-eyed guy that looks nothing like her brother. This guy is hot and well-built with washboard abs and tanned skin, holding a surfboard.
“That is not your brother. Looks nothing like him.” I’m genuinely in disbelief. How can the Tanner I used to know end up looking like that?
Ellie smirks. “Whatever you say, Soph. You gonna turn him away if he comes over tomorrow?”
At first, I thought she was kidding, but by the look on her face, I can tell she’s serious. “Is that really Tanner?” I ask hesitantly.
She nods. “Yep. Gorgeous, isn’t he?” I look at the pictures again, this time with a bit more scrutiny. Yes, the guy has the same blond hair and blue eyes as the rest of Ellie’s family, but how can it be Tanner? He’s changed so much. Ellie pulls back her phone and smiles at her brother. “He got rid of the glasses and the acne, got a California tan, learned how to surf, and bulked up.”
“And what’s his girlfriend going to say if he goes to a Valentine’s Day party with another woman?” The vodka starts to hit me, and I sway on my feet.
Ellie giggles and grabs my arm to steady me. “He’s single, Soph.”
I shake my head. “Doesn’t matter. He’s not going to want to go with me. Why would he? We haven’t seen each other in nine years.”
Grinning, she looks away and shrugs. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because when we were younger, he had the biggest crush on you.” And I ignored him when we were younger. Ellie looks back at me and squeezes my hand. “I’m going to talk to Tanner tomorrow. If he agrees, will you go with him?”
I can’t believe I’m even considering going to the ball. Then again, it’ll be a kick to Warren’s nuts if I show up with another man, especially one that is way hotter than him. Warren thinks he’s God gift to women. “Fine,” I give in. “If Tanner doesn’t mind, I’ll be happy to go with him. I’ll be in his debt.”
Ellie claps her hands. “Done. This is going to be so good. I wish I could be there to see the asshole’s face when you show up with another man.”