Roni swatted her arm and whispered, “Shh. That’s not why I’m wearing the dress. I’m wearing it because I know he’ll love me in it.”

“Almost as much as he loves effing you in it.” Angela laughed and bumped Roni’s shoulder with hers. “I love making you blush.”

“So does he.” She looked down the hall at the door that led to her apartment, but it felt like she hadn’t lived there in months. They’d stayed at Quincy’s place every night since they’d put up the tree, with the exception of Wednesdays when she’d stayed late to dance, and he’d come over after his NA meetings. “I better go. I have to shower and get ready.”

“Why are you looking at that door? You practically live at his place.”

A thrill darted through her every time Angela teased her about that. “I know, and I love it.” She flashed a cheesy grin and said, “My black dress and non-eff-me boots are at my place. I’ll see you tomorrow and let you know what the big surprise was.”

As Roni headed down the hall, Angela said, “Don’t forget to wax all your naughty bits.”

Roni shook her head, laughing as she headed up to her apartment, glad she’d already taken care of that.

LATER THAT EVENING, Quincy walked into her apartment wearing a dark suit and crisp white button-down, with his hair slicked back and a sinful look simmering in his eyes as he drank her in. “Christ, baby, you take my breath away.”

She could do little more than stare at him. He was that striking.

“Cat got your tongue?” He reached for her, pressing his lips to hers. “Maybe this will help.” He lifted his other hand and opened a clear container. In it was the most gorgeous wrist corsage she’d ever seen, with tiny blush-pink and white roses, a hint of green leaves, baby’s breath, and a blush-pink ribbon. “You missed out on your prom and other dances, so I assumed you’d never been given a corsage.” A lump lodged in her throat as he placed it on her wrist and said, “And now the first and only corsage I’ve ever given is to the first and only girl I’ve ever loved.”

She threw her arms around him, tears slipping down her cheeks, and said, “Thank you. It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful.” She drew back, wiping her eyes, loving what he’d said even more than the corsage.

“How about we go with manly, handsome, or studly?”

She laughed. “You’re all those things, but you literally stole my ability to speak when you walked in the door. You’re always great-looking, don’t get me wrong, but in that suit, you look like you belong on a billboard or a movie screen, and the fact that you wore it for me makes me feel so special.”

“You’re the most special person in my life. I’m glad you like it. I bought it for Jed and Josie’s wedding, and I wanted tonight to be a night you’d never forget.”