Page 60 of I Think He Knows

He looked at me with his head tilted, almost like he was daring me to do… something. “Hey, Llama?”

When I finally managed to croak out a shaky “Yes?”, he just smirked.

“You don’t have to peek through your fingers, you know,” he said before striding past me and into the bathroom. I simply stood in his wake, dropped my hands, and stared at his (literal) million dollar butt retreating to the shower.

Six hours later, that image is still engraved on my frontal lobe as I start to get ready for the big event. Alone. Allegra’s at Liam and Annie’s place for the afternoon, and they’ll take her to the party later. As for Carter, he left for his house awhile ago to help Elena, who just flew in from LA, and the party planners. He’ll be back to pick me up at seven.

I’ve never been to such a fancy event before. But unlike the lead-up to my multiple dates with other men, any impending anxiety about tonight is overshadowed by excitement at the thought of spending the evening with Carter. The thought of him being by my side, guiding me through our first public appearance as a couple, is enough for me to feel safe.

I still can’t believe the way he came through for me at Target, when we ran into Number One Worst Date Braxton and his little buddy. The way he vouched for me, built me up when Braxton tried to tear me down. Put his arm around me almost possessively, like I was his to protect.

And let’s not get started on the way helookedat me.

I know he was playing his part, but even still, the memory of those searing hot eyes is enough to send chills through my body.

So today, I’m like a teenage girl on her first date, blasting a 2000’s pop playlist that is all One Direction and T-Swift classics while I run myself a bubble bath. With Legs gone, Chimichanga back at his own house, and Harry Styles curled up in the sunny kitchen windowsill, this may be the first time in years that I’ve had the washroom to myself.

My peace doesn’t last long, though. My phone pings, then pings again, and again as I sink into the soothing hot water. With a sigh, I reach for it. About a hundred messages have poured in on my family group chat.

Annie: We’re all SO excited for tonight. Send pics of the dress options.

Mindy:And make sure you shave your legs ;)

Luke: And your chest. Saw a bit of a neck beard forming the other night, Lan. You might be taking after me in the stubble department. Lucky you.

Liam:Can we please not discuss body hair in the chat? Some of us are trying to work.

Luke:This is way more important than our stupid company.

Liam:Our sister going to a party and shaving her legs is more important than the multimillion dollar tech business we built from the ground up?

Annie:*gif of David Rose rolling his eyes and saying “Obviously”*

Liam:Don’t you start.

Mindy:I tried to give myself a bikini wax once.

Liam:Or you.

Annie: Noooooo that sounds horrific.

Mindy: It was a hot wax nightmare. Not unlike that Paris Hilton slasher movie.

Luke:Believe me, she has the scars to prove it ;)

Liam: Seriously people, this chat is for emergencies and event reminders. This is not what I want to think about while I’m eating my lunch.

As much as I agree with Liam that I’d rather not dwell on the thought (or mental image) of Mindy’s bikini wax blunders, I can’t help but laugh as my fingers move over my screen to respond.

Lana Mae:Just jumping in to say that I will be shaving my legs thoroughly. Thank you all for your concern and input on the matter. And Mindy, I recommend going to see a doctor.

Luke:Wait, back up a second. Why is it such a big deal that you shave your legs?

Annie:Duh. In case Carter touches them.

Mindy:Not “in case”… he will definitely be touching them. I saw that hand on your thigh the other night looking very comfortable.

Annie:Yassssss get in there, Lan.