Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 93

KATY’S POV

“I can do something different with your hair,” Allie says, letting her fingers brush lightly over the ends.

I look at her in the mirror. “Different how?”

She tilts her head and studies my hair. “What kind of vibe are you going for tonight?”

I glance down at the dress Braydon sent me. It is a deep burgundy, fitted at the waist with a gentle flare at the end, and falling just above my knee.

“Anything that matches the vibe of this dress.” I say.

Allie nods and gets to work on my hair. She’s my stylist tonight or maybe forever because for the life of me, I never learned how to do girly things like perfect makeup or styling my hair just right. Probably because my mother was too busy passing out high during the times she was supposed to be teaching me how to take care of myself as a girl. And even if I did know how to do all these things, my nerves tonight wouldn’t have helped.

Yeah, I know you’re thinking I’m a hopeless romantic nerd but not everyone feels confident going on a date with their boyfriend. This is basically our official first date, and my brain has already drafted a thousand ways it could go wrong.

His car might break down on the way and maybe we even get attacked by a deer. Or dress could snag or rip the moment I step out of the car. Or maybe I choke while eating and make a fool of both of us in front of everyone. Or, just maybe, a nuclear bomb could hit our exact location and we’d evaporate into ashes together. Psychotically romantic, right? The point is, a lot could go wrong, and I am nervous as hell.

“Ow,” I wince as Allie accidentally pricks my ear with the tail of the comb.

“Sorry,” she murmurs, her fingers still working gently through my hair. I watch her carefully, and slowly, my face starts to relax.

Hair theory is correct because by the time the ponytail is up and a few soft strands fall around my face, I feel a little more confident and look even better.

“What do you think?” Allie asks, stepping back and giving my hair a final once-over. “Do you like it?”

“Yeah, it’s…” I barely get the words out when there’s a knock on the door. My heart skips, and Allie glances at me with a knowing smirk.

“He’s here,” she whispers before heading to the door.

I take a deep breath and rise to my feet, smoothing my dress. I know Braydon will say I look pretty. He always does, at every chance he gets but most of the time, I don’t need his words to know how he feels. I can tell from his eyes. Every time he compliments me, his pupils dilate just slightly. It’s subtle, almost imperceptible, but it tells me more than words ever could. That, I think, is the most beautiful thing about him.

The door opens and slowly, he walks in. For a second, I’m pretty sure I’m the one with dilated pupils, because holy hell… he is hot. He’s wearing a fitted crew neck sweater with dark pants and clean white sneakers. There’s a long coat layered over it, and somehow he looks even more handsome than he did in my head. He’s holding a bouquet of tulips, and the whole thing makes my stomach tighten.

I swallow.

He closes the distance between us and stops right in front of me. His eyes take their time, moving from my hair to my dress and back up again, like he’s trying to take in every inch.

“Wow,” he breathes, looking a little stunned. “You look… ethereal.”

Heat creeps up my neck, and my stomach does that ridiculous flip again because his pupils are so insanely dilated it’s a miracle he can still see. I bite my lip and glance down for a second before looking back up. “Y-you do… you know what looks good on me,” I stammer, my voice barely above a whisper. “I-I mean… you picked the dress… perfectly.”

He takes a small step closer again. “I can’t believe you’re all mine,” he says, lifting the bouquet of tulips. “These are for you, but honestly…” His gaze drifts over me again, and knees feel a little weak. “I’m not sure they can compete.”

I accept the flowers. “They’re beautiful… thank you,” I say, my fingers brushing over the petals. I look up at him, my cheeks heating even more. “A-and you… you look really amazing too.”

“Thank you.”

“I should probably put these in water,” I murmur, holding the bouquet a little awkwardly.

“Yeah, go ahead,” he replies. It’s kind of funny how awkward we both are, like this is the very first time we’re seeing each other.

As I move to fill a vase, I catch him telling Allie under his breath that he’s the luckiest guy alive.

There are so many things I never thought I’d do before graduation and going to Doleana for a date is definitely one of them. It’s basically the most beautiful restaurant I’ve ever seen in Boston. I’ve dreamed of coming here, but only a single meal would cost enough to feed me for two weeks, so it had always been out of the question. And well, my ex never bothered to bring me here.

So when Braydon pulls up in front of Doleana and a valet opens the door, my jaw almost drops. Am I really here? I barely have time to process it before Braydon comes over and looks at me.

“Ready?” he asks.

I nod frantically, and he extends his arms. I loop mine around his, and he leads me inside. Wow. The pictures online did not do this place justice. Warm lights hang from the ceiling, soft music drifts through the air, and the combination feels like I’ve stepped through the doors of heaven or something.

A hostess appears, smiling politely. She checks our reservation and guides us to a table at the corner. Braydon pulls out my chair, and I sit, barely believing this is real. He settles into his own seat across from me.

“This place is amazing,” I murmur, my voice soft with awe. “I’ve always wanted to come here, at least once.”

“You have?”

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