Thirty and Single.

Chapter 16.

A few minutes after I hung up the phone, I heard rapid knocking, followed by the unmistakable, high-energy voice of Brooklyn echoing from the hallway.

"Genesis! Open up before I break this door down!"

I rushed to open it. She practically stormed into my bedroom like a woman on a mission, already rolling up her sleeves.

"Alright," she said, eyes gleaming with mischief. "I'm going to transform you. By the time I'm done, Corey's family will be begging you to marry him and have his five kids."

I blinked. "That is disturbingly specific, but okay."

Brooklyn grabbed my makeup kit from the nightstand and set it down like she was about to perform surgery. "Now, sit. Let the artist work."

She started with my hair, curling it softly and pinning a few strands delicately away from my face. Then she moved on to my makeup, contouring, blending, and brushing like a pro. I watched her in the mirror, amused by the intense concentration on her face.

"You look like a goddess," she said finally, stepping back. "An angel sent down to slay awkward dinner conversations."

I glanced at my reflection. Whoa. Beautiful felt like an understatement.

"Brooklyn... I—wow. Thank you," I said, genuinely touched.

"You're welcome, sweetie. Now what are you wearing?"

I picked up my maroon dress from the hanger and held it up.

Brooklyn's eyes widened. "That? With that makeup and your skin tone? You're going to leave everyone breathless."

I slipped into the dress and did a little twirl. "How do I look?"

She clasped her hands together dramatically. "Like a woman who knows the Wi-Fi password to Corey's heart."

I rolled my eyes. "He's not my prince charming, Brooklyn."

She smirked. "Yet. Anyway, my job here is done. Time for me to exit stage left and let fate take the wheel."

I walked her to the door. "Thanks again."

She winked. "Call me after. I want every detail."

With Brooklyn gone, I poured myself a glass of wine to settle my nerves. My heart was doing this jittery dance in my chest like it couldn't decide whether to panic or party.

I took a sip. Then another.

That's when the knock came.

I set my glass down, took a deep breath, and opened the door only to find Colton standing there.

He froze when he saw me, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. "Wow. Green, you... you look amazing."

I felt heat rise in my cheeks. "Thank you," I said softly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

He stepped closer, a puzzled look on his face. "Where are you going?"

"Uh... dinner," I replied, suddenly very interested in the floor.

His brow furrowed. "I thought you stopped going on dates."

"It's not a date. It's... complicated."

Before I could explain, a sleek black car pulled into the driveway. The engine purred like it had secrets.

Corey stepped out, looking like he'd walked straight out of a GQ magazine spread. His black tuxedo fit perfectly, and his hair was styled so precisely it almost seemed illegal.