Knowing he’s just going to drag this out as long as possible, I spit out, “Well, do you think I should go out with him or not? You don’t have to be a jerk about it and purposely mess with me.”

Connor doesn’t even have the decency to pretend to be apologetic. “If I don’t mess with you, who will?”

“Can you help me out or what? I’m really confused, I’m kinda out of my element in case you didn’t notice.”

“Okay, okay, Addie relax. You caught me by surprise, I couldn’t help it. I would have been less shocked if the note contained that address to where you hide dead bodies instead of someone asking you out . . . again.”

“Body.”

He frowns in confusion. “What?”

“You said ‘bodies.’ It would be body. As in one body. Yours.”

“Ha ha ha Addie. But in all seriousness, if you’re asking for my permission then, yes, you have it.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Addie you don’t need my permission or even Logan’s. Don’t you dare tell him I said that.” I nod in total agreement. “The question isn’t if you should go out with him, it’s do you want to? Do you want to finally see who else is out there? Or do you want to continue to play head games with a certain tattooed man we know?”

“You know?”

“It’s you and Jax,” he says simply as if it’s the most logical answer in the world. I raise my eyebrow, begging him silently to go on. He does. “Anyone with eyes knows.”

I gulp. “Logan?”

He shakes his head. “I think Logan chooses not to see it because you’re his little sister and Jax is his best friend. But when he does find out, make sure I’m there so I can restrain him.” He laughs. I don’t find the image of my brother and Jax fighting as amusing.

“When did you—” The question dies on my lips as Logan strides into Connor’s office.

His eyes immediately find my camera bag on the floor next to Connor’s desk. As Logan gives me a hug, I can see the questions forming in his head. I’m grateful that he doesn’t voice any of them. As much as I want to tell my brother why I was late, I can’t. I know he will make a big deal out of this and I’m not ready to acknowledge the significance of today. Not yet anyways.

When Logan is almost done with his burger he asks, “Do you want me to pick you up or just send a car tomorrow?” I give him the what-the-heck look. “The Annual Masquerade Ball we always put on, to raise money for rare diseases, it’s tomorrow. The same ball I’ve reminded you about at least once a week for a month now. The same ball that I knew you would forget about, like you do every year.” He mocks exasperation.

How do I forget about this every year? It’s mind-boggling that my brother hasn’t strangled me yet.

I scrunch up my nose. “I didn’t need you to explain yourself, dear brother. I’m irritated that you assumed I forgot again. How could I with you reminding me all of the time?” I think I’m convincing enough, but just to make sure I add, “Oh and not to make a big deal or anything but I already have my dress, shoes, and a mask.” I throw up my hands. “But no big deal or anything.”

As I talk, I realize how much I have to do in such little time.

Logan grunts at my antics. “I won’t even pretend that I’m not surprised, Addie. I thought for sure you forgot like you do every year.” Shaking his head, he addresses Connor. “Well shit, I guess Jax won the bet after all.”

Connor groans as he explains, “Our dear brother here has been making a big deal about how you would forget yet again. So Jax, of course, bet Logan a small sum that you wouldn’t forget. He kept going on and on about how you actually would have your dress and everything by tonight. It was annoying how he was defending your honor and whatnot.”

“What!” I say in mock outrage.

“I’m with your brother on this one, Addie. I can’t believe you remembered. You have the worst, and I mean the worst memory when it comes to planned events.” Connor ties his long shaggy blonde hair into a knot at the back of his head.

“Man, I kinda want to ditch the rest of the day. I do not want to run into that smug bastard,” Logan tells Connor.

“Well, then I guess next time you won’t bet against your sister!” I say.

I can’t imagine how I can possibly get myself out of the hole I’ve dug myself into. There’s no way I can find a dress last minute. Not for an event of this stature. The only option is for the earth to open up and swallow me whole. If I don’t want to be so dramatic, I can always wear my dress from last year. They’re men, they won’t notice . . . I hope.

“Oh shut up. Like you would have bet any differently.”

I don’t have time to listen to them. I have a dress to find. I make an excuse to leave. After giving my brother a hug, I ask, “How much was the bet anyways?”

“I’ll see you tomorrow night, Addie,” Logan says, ignoring me, which only piques my interest.

As Connor gives me a hug he whispers, “Let me know when and where if you decide to take the hot doc up on his offer,” into my ear so only I can hear.

Once I’m in the cab I quickly calculate that I have about six hours and tomorrow morning to find something. This is New York, I’ve totally got this. Will my plan work? Will Connor blab to Jax? Only one way to find out. With that thought, I find enough courage to stick to my game plan and text Kohen.

Me: Hey it’s Adalynn. Sorry about yesterday, let me make it up to you . . . dinner on me?

I get a text back from him within seconds.

Kohen: One condition

Me: And that would be . . .

Kohen: Dinner’s on me. How does eight sound?

I contemplate if that’s enough time or not. Doubtful since I’ll need to jump in a quick shower and reapply my makeup from spending the rest of the day shopping. I’ll need at least an extra hour to make sure I’m presentable for the first date I’ve had in six years. I force myself to stop thinking about that and text Kohen back.

Me: Make it nine and you have yourself a deal ;)

Kohen: Great. See you tonight.

As the cab pulls up to the first store, I hold back a groan. I am in no mood to shop. I have a date to prepare for and I’m in desperate need of at least one bottle of wine to help my nerves. I’ll have more than enough time tomorrow before the ball. With that settled, I close the door and tell the cab driver my address. He doesn’t hold back his grunt of irritation. As he veers into traffic, I call Connor.

“Miss me alr—”

“So I have a date tonight at nine.”

“HOLY SHIT!” Connor says so loudly I have to pull the phone away from my now sore eardrum.

“It’s not that big of a deal. You were the one that told me I should take the hot doc up on his offer.”

He lets out a breath. “Yeah, but I never thought you would. Holy shit,” he says again but in a much more normal tone.

“Am I making a mistake?” I ask after a moment of silence.

Connor doesn’t even hesitate. “Don’t Addie, don’t go there. Don’t talk yourself out of this. Kohen is a great guy, granted I’ve only met him that one time but still. He even asked you out in front of all of us. He gets major points for that.”

My face heats up at the mere mention of how Kohen asked me out in the emergency room hallway. “I’m not talking myself out of it.”

“Tell your bullshit to someone who believes it. You’re going on this date and you’re going to have fun, even if I have to drag you there myself.”

“Well, okay, then, I guess I’m going. Twist my arm, why don’t you.”

Connor laughs. “Seriously, though, I think this is a great idea and I don’t think you could find someone better than the doc. Obviously I’m taking myself out of the equation because that just wouldn’t be fair.”

“Obviously,” I say dryly.

“What about Jax?”

“What about him?” I ask.

“So you’re going with avoidance? Let me know how that works out for you.”

“Connor . . .” My voice dies off. I have no idea what to say to that.