Page 9 of Beauty Becomes You (Beauty 4)
At her apartment, she found Courtney packing. The room had disappeared between a mountain of clothes. A huge piece of luggage sat open and empty. From the haggard look on Courtney’s face, things had not been going well.
Erin paused at the door. “What happened?”
“What happened is that Derek and I are going on a trip.” She frowned, examining a pair of puffy pants. “And I have nothing to wear.”
“Where is he taking you, the tundra?”
“Close. Colorado. We’re going to do some late skiing. He’s booked a suite in a lodge. Isn’t that the sweetest gesture?”
“But you hate the cold.”
“Yes, he must have forgotten that.”
“And aren’t you afraid of heights?”
“Right. I should be okay if I stick to the bunny slopes, right?”
Erin had no idea. Skiing had certainly never been part of her family vacations, which had mostly consisted of her mom and her at the beach for a weekend. She suspected even a baby slope would be big enough to terrify the girl who shut her eyes when they crossed over a bridge.
“Will you hate me if I say this is a bad idea?”
“No. Because you’re right, and it is a bad idea.”
“But you’re doing it anyway.”
“I love that you get me. I mean, really understand me. You’re a great friend.”
“Hmm,” Erin said, wondering where this was going.
“Like the kind of friend who would help me pack and figure out what to bring.”
Erin stared dubiously at the mountains of clothes. Tank tops, miniskirts. They had their work cut out for them, but it was just the distraction she needed. The thought of Melinda all dressed up at the Faculty Ball with Blake was enough to get her blood racing. She believed what she had said to Melinda. There was no way Blake would stray. However, if he happened to glance over and wonder briefly about what he had lost, he would only be human.
“You’re on,” she said, digging in. She ended up pulling everything out of her closet, as well, matching outfits so she could look cute for their renewed relationship, as well as warm enough not to freeze to death.
Hours passed, and Erin lost herself in the chatter with her good friend. She would miss this when she moved in with Blake. Except she hadn’t agreed to that.
So when Courtney asked her about re-upping the lease, Erin said quickly, “I’m not moving in with him,” and immediately blushed. As soon as she said the words, she knew they were a lie.
Courtney raised her eyebrows. “Want to bet?”
She knew the truth. Even Blake probably knew it was inevitable. Everyone except Erin understood. She’d put him off. Not now, later. We’ll talk about it later.
Now was later, and God, she wanted to be with him. Night and day. Forever and ever, amen. This must be serious, he’d joked. With the worry of school behind her, she was damned serious.
“Okay, I might move in with him. And maybe even…I don’t know, marry him. Does that sound crazy?”
“Of course you’re going to marry him. See, when you find a boy who you like, and who you want to have sex with, you have to do the right thing by him. Otherwise he starts to wonder if you’re just using him for his body.”
Erin snorted. Blake loved when she used him for his body
. But that was a good idea. Maybe she could pop the question. It would be worth it just to see the look on his face. Not right now, but soon. Maybe then she wouldn’t feel so guilty about not answering him right away about moving in.
She helped Courtney stuff the luggage full and then sat on it so they could zipper it shut. They loaded her friend’s car together and hugged before she got inside.
Courtney frowned. “Sorry to abandon you so soon after your defense. I meant to take you out for drinks to celebrate.”
“I don’t mind, sweetie. You have fun. And bring back lots of stories.”
