[BOOK2]
Friendship built their world. Love will break it open. ❤️
*******
Isla Brookes and Theo Dwyers have been inseparable since childhood-always there for each other, always just friends. Though, things start to change and everything starts feel...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing my hands down the front of my black satin dress for what had to be the tenth time. It hugged my body like a secret, dipping low in the back, with a slit up the side that made me question if I was being bold or reckless.
My phone was balanced on a stack of books beside my makeup bag, Becca's face filling the screen as she lounged on her bed with a bowl of popcorn like she was watching a Netflix premiere.
"Okay," she said, mouth full, "do a spin. I need to see if this dress is a 'jaw-drop' or 'he's never going to let you leave his side' level."
I rolled my eyes but turned slowly, nerves buzzing under my skin. "I don't know... is it too much?"
Becca's eyes widened. "Isla. You look like a walking heart attack. That dress is going to give Theo a religious experience."
I laughed, cheeks flushing as I reached for my earring. "You think?"
"I know," she said. "If he doesn't immediately offer to sell his soul for a taste, he's broken."
Before I could respond, a knock landed on the door. Three short, familiar taps.
My heart stuttered.
Becca grinned like she could hear it. "That's your cue. Go knock him stupid. And text me if he starts panting."
I ended the call and barely clipped in my second earring before his voice came through the door, low and lazy.
"Luna," Theo drawled, "if I wait out here any longer, I'm gonna start praying. Loudly."
Smiling, I opened the door—and there he was.
Black suit. No tie. Top button undone like he couldn't be bothered, and his curls falling in soft waves that begged to be touched. He looked effortless and dangerous in the most beautiful way. But when his eyes landed on me, something shifted in his expression—like I'd just punched the breath out of him.
"Jesus," he muttered, eyes dragging slowly down my body. "You tryin' to kill me?"
"You clean up okay yourself," I said, trying to sound casual even though my pulse was losing its mind.
"Okay?" He stepped inside the doorway, one hand sliding around my waist like it had always belonged there. "Isla, you walk out in that dress and I'm gonna spend the entire night trying not to commit a felony."
I choked on a laugh. "Theo!"
"I'm serious," he murmured, leaning in until his lips brushed my ear. "You want honesty or decency? Because right now, I'm down bad for both."
Heat pooled low in my stomach.
He leaned back slightly, eyes still drinking me in, that lazy grin playing on his lips. "You wear that for me?"
I raised a brow. "Would it boost your ego if I said yes?"
"Dangerously," he said, voice dropping. "But my self-control's already hanging by a thread, so maybe lie to me."
