Beautiful Mess(141)

Bri pondered that for a moment, and suddenly had her answer.

“Thanks, Layla. I don’t know what I’d do without you! You’re a freaking genius!”

“Yes, yes I am! Now, you’d better call me on Sunday to let me know how it all goes, or you can kiss my life saving advice goodbye!”

“You got it! Love you, Lay.”

“Love you, too. Good luck, Tiger!”

Bri hung up her phone and rushed to her dresser, praying she’d brought it... There! At the bottom of the pile was the shirt she was looking for. She pulled out the royal blue top she’d worn on her first date with Cole last summer. This would make an impression. Even if he didn’t remember she’d worn it on their first date, her dress that night in the back of the Maserati had been the same deep blue. There was no way Cole had forgotten that. And nights like those were exactly what she wanted him to remember.

Saturday night, Bri paired her halter style tank with a pair of khaki shorts that showed off her legs to their fullest. She left her shoulders bare, fully heeding Layla’s advice and using everything she had to her advantage. That included showing off as much skin as possible to tantalize Cole. She wasn’t above using his hormones against him. She loosely curled her hair, and then twisted the sides back and pinned them, exposing her tattoo and her neck. She went minimal with her makeup, and put on the Tiffany’s butterfly necklace Cole had given her. She slipped on her jeweled Greek sandals and met the rest of her roommates in the living room.

The other girls chatted excitedly as they walked down to the party, but Bri was too nervous to join in. She’d been dreaming of this moment for so long, now that it was finally here, her stomach was revolting against her. So much was riding on tonight, and she couldn’t stop thinking about everything that could go wrong. Her stomach was churning so much, she was afraid she was going to throw up. Bri spent the rest of the walk trying to calm herself down, and get a handle on her nerves. She needed to pull herself together or she was going to blow her chance with Cole.

When they arrived, the common area was pulsing with music. One of the guys had set up his speakers outside and was playing DJ. Various couches, chairs, recliners, lawn chairs, and camping chairs had been brought out of the surrounding dorm rooms and set up around the perimeter. It was a pretty dark night, but someone had strung some twinkle lights and lanterns from the trees, providing some soft illumination. There was even a bar set up on two folding tables over in the corner.

Feeling anxious, Bri discreetly separated herself from her friends and went off in search of Cole. Disappointment bubbled up inside her, as she futilely scanned the sea of faces around her. She’d made almost a full circle of the perimeter before she finally found him.

Cole was leaning against a tree, talking to a slinky brunette. Bri felt her anger and jealousy spike as the girl leaned into him flirtatiously. Her throat constricted, and for a second she was worried that she may be too late, that Cole had moved on. But a glance up at his face revealed that he was less than interested in the oblivious girl. Immense relief flooded through her.

Bri stayed where she was and waited. After a few minutes, the girl finally got the hint and left, and Cole was alone. She made herself stay where she was, waiting breathlessly with a jack hammering heart, for him to notice her.

Just as she thought she was going to pass out from lack of oxygen, Cole turned his head, and completely froze as he finally saw her. His face drained of all color, as shock and disbelief engulfed him. He glanced warily into the cup in his hand, as if what was inside was responsible for Bri’s sudden appearance. Bri couldn’t help but chuckle, and his eyes shot back to her, confusion plain on his face.

She walked slowly towards him, worried she’d frighten him off if she moved too fast. The closer she got, the more nervous she became. She had had this grand, romantic speech all planned out, but the sight of him standing before her wiped all coherent thought from her brain.

Damn, he looked good. He was wearing a light blue button down with the sleeves rolled up, and even in the low light, it brought out the blue in his eyes. His hair was styled in that messy, sexy way she loved, and she longed to reach out and run her hand through it. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heart, and stopped in front of him.

“Hi, Cole,” she managed to say shakily.

This close, Bri realized her memory hadn’t done him justice. Her eyes greedily drank him in, eager for every last detail.

“Ambria?” His confused and guarded eyes took her in, head to toe, and he swallowed thickly. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for you.” She tried to smile reassuringly, but her stomach was such a twisted mass of nerves, it came out lopsided. “I have something I need to tell you. I was hoping that we could go somewhere and talk? Somewhere a little more private?”