Beautiful Dreams (The Beautiful Series) (13 page)

“Okay, just let me grab my purse real quick, and then we can be on our way.” I smiled over at her.

After retrieving my purse from the bedroom, I strode back into the foyer, my heels clanking with every step on the tile.

“Got everything?” Abbey asked.

I nodded. “Yep.”

I opened the front door, and Abbey walked through first. As I started to shut the door, I realized I did not have a key, and I paused. I had no idea what time Kyle would be back home tonight or how would I get inside.

Abbey stopped on the sidewalk, spinning around to face me. With a puzzled expression, she asked, “What did you forget?”

“Nothing,” I answered. “But I don’t have a key to get back in.”

Abbey shooed me with her hand. “Kyle won’t be at that meeting for more than a few hours. He’ll be home
way
before us.”

“He’s taking out the owner for drinks with Jason and Damon though,” I said, pondering. “Think he’ll still beat us back?”

Abbey shrugged, her eyes shining with mischief. “Of course. We’ll just have to make sure we stay out extra late.”

Whoa. What did I get myself into? Oh well, it’s healthy to throw in the towel and let loose every once in a while.

I had not been out drinking since the last time I saw Abbey, so tonight was well deserved. I had never been much of a drinker, let alone a big partier. However, I did love to go out dancing and have a good time with girls. Abbey, Gail, and Kristen seemed like the perfect group to do it with.

“Okay,” I agreed while twisting the lock into place and closing the door. As I spun around to walk to Abbey’s car, my gaze locked on her shiny new wheels. “Damn, Abbey. Nice ride!”

Abbey was standing on the driver’s side with the door open. Her eyes twinkled with happiness. “You like?” She beamed.

My eyes roamed over her cherry red Camaro with stunning black rims.
Damn, it’s beyond droolworthy.

“Like?” I joked. “I think I’m in love.”

Abbey grinned. “Me, too.”

“When did you get it?” I questioned. “You certainly weren’t driving it the last time I was here. I definitely would have remembered!” I said while approaching the sexy-as-hell car.

“It just came in last night. I had to wait two very long weeks for my special order to arrive.” She smiled. “I’m celebrating by wearing my favorite red dress, too!” she exclaimed while doing a quick twirl around.

“I think this calls for an extra round of shots tonight—on me.” I winked at her.

Abbey and I both dipped our heads and lowered ourselves into the magnificent car. The premium black leather immediately sucked me right in.

I shook my head. “Just when I didn’t think I could love you and your car any more, you have custom leather racing seats,” I said in bewilderment.

“It was a must.” Abbey laughed. “They looked hot as hell in the magazine the dealer showed me. I was instantly sold and asked where to sign my paycheck away.”

“I would have, too!” I chuckled. “You know your brother is going to be really jealous, right?”

Abbey started the car. The engine purred to life, and the sounds of the sweet pipes filled my ears.

“Actually,
both
of my brothers will be jealous. I haven’t even had the chance to tell them yet. While Ryan is upgrading to a minivan, I’ll be driving this beauty. And Kyle will be bossing me around, telling me not to speed.” Abbey tried to stifle a giggle, but she failed miserably. “So, back to shopping—what stores should we hit up first? Shoes, purses, or clothes?” she asked while shifting the Camaro into reverse and backing out of the driveway.

“Hmm…” I contemplated over which I could use more of.
None really, but why should that stop me?
“Let’s go for a few new outfits and then purses.”

“Don’t forget those matching outfits will also need gorgeous shoes to accessorize, so it looks like a full round of shopping is in order,” Abbey said with delight as she put her new hot rod into drive, pressing our backs into the seats.

I simply could not help but love her. I tilted my head in her direction. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Oh. My. God! Lily, you
have
to get that one!” Abbey cried as we faced each other just outside of the fitting room doors at Gucci.

I put my hand on my hip. “That’s what you said about the last
six
outfits, Abbey,” I chortled, shaking my head at her. “How am I supposed to trust your instincts when you keep saying that?” I questioned. My gaze caught on to what she was wearing—a low-cut silver silk shirt and stunning black dress slacks that fit her perfectly with nude pumps. “Damn, I love your outfit again, too.”

Abbey smirked, raising her hand to her hip, fondly mocking me. “See, it’s not just me. It must be the store.”

“Oh, it’s definitely the store, and my credit card will agree at the checkout,” I teased while turning to face the mirror.

As I glanced at my reflection, I had to agree with Abbey. This dress was one of a kind with the way it hugged every curve of my body. Feeling completely pulled in, I caved to my weakness. “Okay, I’ll add this one.” I rotated to face Abbey. “But that’s it!”

Abbey’s eyes sparkled with glee. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist as soon as you looked in the mirror.”

“True,” I replied, making us both giggle. “We seem to share the same weakness for cute clothes.”

“Except I refuse to view it as a weakness.” Abbey paused.

I could tell she was searching for the right words.

“I choose to think of it as…a gift.”

I threw my head back and laughed. Seriously, this girl was great. I could only imagine her meeting Brooke. They would be like twins. Actually, I should
fear
her meeting Brooke. Together, they would probably clear out all the stores within a ten-mile radius.

“That puts a positive spin on it.” I grinned. “I like it.”

We both went back into our separate changing rooms and swiftly dressed back into our own clothing. I picked out three pairs of shoes that would coordinate with multiple outfits. Pleased with my selections, I went in search of Abbey and found her in front of a wide variety of Gucci purses. Unable to walk away, I grabbed a black leather one that caught my attention.

At the checkout, Abbey and I neatly stacked our large piles on the counter. We looked like two women with a serious shopping addiction. Abbey beat my total purchase by a mere hundred and ten dollars, and she was quite proud of herself. Chuckling, I rolled my eyes at her.

Once back at the car, it took some serious skills to fit all of our stuff in her sports car. As great as the Camaro was, it did not have much space, and it took us fifteen minutes to delicately arrange all our bags.

Abbey finally sat in the driver’s seat just as her cell phone rang. She answered on the second ring. “Hey, Gail! I was just about to call you. Lily and I are done shopping, and we’re ready to meet up for food and drinks.”

While she was on the phone, I put on my seat belt because I was quickly learning about her mad driving abilities.

“Sounds excellent! See you there in ten!” Abbey said before hanging up. She fired up the car and shifted in her seat to face me. “Gail and Kristen are carpooling together. They are going to meet us at Donovan’s Bar and Grill.”

“Great!” I smiled at her.

Abbey peeled out of the parking lot and turned onto the main road. I had a feeling that we would be there sooner than when she’d told Gail.

My eyes scanned all the vehicles as we turned into the jam-packed parking lot.

“Looks like a large crowd is here tonight,” Abbey said, voicing my thoughts.

“This place is packed,” I agreed.

“Maybe I can find a gorgeous hunk to take home,” Abbey said playfully as she parked her car.

I tilted my head to see her face. I didn’t quite know her well enough to know if she was joking or serious.

Turning off the car, Abbey laughed and lifted an eyebrow in my direction. “Seriously, Lily, I’m totally joking.” She chuckled. “One-night stands are not my thing…most of the time…unless he’s really muscular and hot.”

I had to laugh. “Good to know,” I responded.

We grabbed our purses, stepped out of her Camaro, and shut the doors. A streetlamp illuminated the lot enough for me to see two gorgeous men pulling into the empty space next to us. I turned my attention back to Abbey as she locked her car and slipped her keys into her purse. Loud husky whistles filled the air, and Abbey and I instantly spun around to face the noise.

“That is one
fine
looking car with an even hotter driver,” a tall man with dark brown hair said. “I’d like to take you
both
for a spin.”

Abbey narrowed her eyes at him as I walked to her side.

“Dream on, buddy.” She smirked before bringing her gaze back to me. “Ready?”

“Yep,” I answered.

We both turned on our heels en route to the bar. My phone beeped in my purse. Taking it off my shoulder, I dug around, trying to find my cell, while we neared the doors of the building. Abbey spoke to the bouncer, who let us in without any delay.

“Hello?” I answered after finally locating my phone at the bottom of my purse.

“Hey, beautiful. Miss me?” Kyle said into my ear.

I followed Abbey inside. She found a table for four near the front windows. She gestured for me to sit, and then she went to the main bar where I assumed she was going to order drinks for us.

A loving smile spread across my face as I sat at the table. “Of course. How did your meeting go?”

“Long but excellent.” Kyle paused. “Jason, Damon, and I made an offer. After hashing out the details for a few hours, we came to an agreement,” he said.

I could hear the excitement in his voice.

“That’s wonderful news! I’m so happy for you!” I said with admiration. “Are you guys all still going out for drinks?”

Abbey returned, four pink cups in her hands, and she sat directly across from me. She slid one cup to me, and then she moved the others off to the side.

“Yep, we are heading across the street to Jack’s Bar to have a few drinks with the owner of the building. I should be home in a couple of hours,” he responded.

Just hearing his voice on the phone made me miss him that much more. However, I was glad to be making new friends, and Kyle was having guy time while bonding with my cousins.

And the saying was,
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
.

“Okay.” I smiled into the phone even though Kyle could not see me. “Oh, I don’t have a key to the house, and I locked the front door. Can you text me when you are heading home, so I know when I can get in?”

“Shit. Sorry, beautiful. I didn’t even think about it with you working from home and all. When I get back, I’ll dig around in my office and find you one,” he replied.

“It’s okay. No hurry. I just didn’t want to be stuck on the porch.” I laughed.

Kyle chuckled. “We definitely can’t have that now, can we?” he teased.

“Not if you want a wife,” I retorted playfully. Then, I gasped as my eyes snapped to Abbey’s shocked expression.

“What?” Kyle asked with concern.

Abbey’s eyes dropped to the ring on my left hand, which was now over my mouth, and it was her turn to gasp.

“Lily? What the hell happened?” Kyle questioned, his anxiety increasing.

“I spilled the beans,” I muttered while my gaze never left Abbey’s.

“The beans?” Kyle asked in confusion.

“Um…” I stalled, still observing Abbey. “Well, let’s just say your sister knows we’re engaged now,” I said hesitantly while taking in Abbey’s state of astonishment. “What are the signs of a heart attack?”

Kyle chuckled loudly into the phone. His husky tone affected me in many sweet places.

“I can’t believe it took her all day to notice,” he said with amusement, not the least bit concerned. “Just order her a large shot of tequila, and she’ll be okay.”

I could not help but let out a strangled laugh while Abbey sat in front of me as still as a statue.

“I’d better try that…right now. I’ll talk to you later,” I responded.

“See you later,” Kyle chortled into the phone.

“Bye,” I said quietly while staring at Abbey.

After a moment of silence, she nearly yelled while placing her hand over her heart, “What the fuck, Lily?”