Secret Designs(32)

Well, she wouldn't let that happen to her and Dylan. For starters, she wouldn't accept too much from him. She'd rather they eat in than dine out too often, for example. And while she would be grateful to get the occasional gift, she wouldn't take anything a boyfriend of average means wouldn't be able to afford.

Except for the sex. She'd be more than happy to keep getting more of his way-above-average lovemaking.

With that gratifying thought, she fell asleep.





*******



Ari looked up from her dress patterns as Dylan came out of the bedroom looking bright and fresh from the shower.

"Are you working all day today? It's Sunday," he said.

"I have to. Jazzie's dress is very labour intensive. Plus, I still have to finish your mum's outfit for Faye's wedding."

"My siblings' nuptials are keeping you busy."

She smiled. "I don't mind. I love it."

"Well, I guess I better leave you to it. Can I see you sometime this week?"

"Are you asking me out again, Mr. Summers?" she asked in a flirty tone.

"I sure am, Miss Mitchell. I'll call you later, after I check my work schedule."

"If I call you, would you call me back?" she asked with mock seriousness.

"Am I still not forgiven for that?" he asked worriedly.

"If you call me tonight I'll forgive you," she said with a grin.

Dylan let out a relieved sigh. "Then I'll call you tonight," he said, bending down to give her a kiss. "By the way, you wouldn't mind if I invite Trey and Adam along to join us for dinner sometime, would you?"

"No. That would be good. They seem like nice guys, although Trey is a little funny. But don't tell him I said that," she warned.

Dylan laughed. "Both of them can be a bit funny, sometimes. I seem to recall you mentioning you find me funny, too."

She made a face. "You know what I mean. Anyway, they're your best friends, so I gather you're very close to them."

"Yes. We've been friends for more than fifteen years. We went to school together, then became business partners. Anyway, I'll tee up a date with them and let you know."

"I'm looking forward to it," she said with a sincere smile.

She walked him to the door, and he kissed her so sweetly it made her knees weak. She exhaled a great sigh as she closed the door behind him. She missed him already.





CHAPTER THIRTEEN





"All I'm asking is that you be gentle with her," Dylan said to Trey and Adam.

"What do you mean, specifically? It's not that we bash girls or anything like that," Trey said.

"You know what I mean," he said with exasperation. "Don't bombard her with some of the ridiculous questions we've asked some of the other girls."

"Like what?" Adam asked.

He sighed. "Maybe I should write a script."

"A script!" both of his friends exclaimed.

"Are you all right, Dyl?" Trey asked, reaching over to touch his forehead with the back of his hand. "Well, your temperature seems fine."

"There's nothing wrong with me. What's wrong is this ISAG. This scheme is years old. It needs revising. We were immature beings back then."

"Oh, we've grown up now, have we?" Trey asked with an innocent look.

"Come on, guys. I'm serious. I don't mind you asking Ari some questions just so you could set your minds at ease that she's not like the kind of girls Adam's attracted to."

"Why, thanks a lot," Adam replied with sarcasm. "Don't forget, I may have the quantity, but you, my friend, had the quality."

Dylan inhaled deeply. "I know, I know. No need to remind me."

"So how do you want us to go about this?" Trey asked.

"Just take it nice and slow, like you're talking to the sister of someone you really like. Nothing offensive, please. She doesn't deserve that."

"How do you know? She hasn't gone through the ISAG yet."

"I just know, okay?"

"Oh. My. Fuck," Trey said. "You're in love."

"Don't be ridiculous," he retorted. "I like her, but love is nowhere near the equation yet."

"Yet?"

"Yet. Never. I don't know. All I know is I like her a lot."

"Well, for your sake, I hope she passes, Dyl. But be warned. We will be gentle, but we won't take any short cuts."

Dylan shook his head, hugely irritated. He was dumb to arrange this dinner with Ari and his friends tonight. He hadn't seen her for a week and now there was a possibility that their night could be ruined by his too-well-intentioned pals.





*******



"Hi," Dylan said as he watched Ari get out of her car.

"Hi," she replied with a gorgeous smile. "Didn't you think I'd find the spot?"