“Would that make me Cinderella? If so, I’m missing the wicked stepmother and sisters.”

“Ah, yes, but wouldn’t my brother make a perfect Prince Charming?” Drea giggled, and her eyes twinkled with laughter. I could definitely see the resemblance with her brother. Her parents had passed along very good genes to their children.

“I’m not sure that I’d use the word charming to describe your brother. He hasn’t lived up to the title with me yet.”

“Darn! Maybe you’ll change your mind when I tell you that he let me know that you didn’t know about the party when you flew up here with him. He’s so bad like that, never remembers to tell me anything. Anyway, he asked if I could find you a few things so you would feel more comfortable joining us tonight.”

“There wasn’t any reason for me to know about the party, so Drake didn’t forget to tell me.” I spoke quickly, trying to get a word in edgewise while Drea took a breath.

“No reason? You don’t need a reason to come to my mom’s party. You’re Drake’s friend from school. That’s enough. I’d be absolutely crushed thinking of you stuck in the pool house while we’re all having fun. Besides, I’d love to show you off to everyone. Nobody will believe me for a second if I say that Drake has a girlfriend here with him from school.”

“I am not his girlfriend! I hardly even know your brother. We just met last night,” I disagreed.

“Really? Interesting. My brother isn’t exactly known for going out of his way for girls. He met you last night and brought you here today? And he had me find you an outfit for mom’s party. Lucky for him he thought we were about the same size. And one of my friends is your shoe size, so I didn’t have to work too hard on the outfit. Anyway, big bro is smitten! I cannot wait to get to know you better.”

Drake strolled up the sidewalk and rested his hand on his sister’s shoulder. “Don’t give away all of my secrets at once, Drea. Alexa is bound to keep me on my toes without any help from you.” He reached around her to take the garment bag and shoes away from her. “I thought I asked you to bring these to me? How did you end up with Alexa instead?”

Drea let her brother take the items from her hands. “Like you didn’t know that I would try to deliver them myself? You know me better than that. Now you’d better talk Alexa into coming to the party—or else. I will be very disappointed if you can’t work your legendary charm on her.” Drea grinned and waved at me and headed back towards the house.

“I thought we agreed that you and I would catch up with each other tomorrow, Drake.”

“No, you told me to find you in the morning. I never agreed to anything. I decided that plan doesn’t really work for me. Come to the party tonight.” Drake’s eyes drilled into mine as though he could glare me into accepting his invitation.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea. We barely know each other. You still have some explaining to do, and everyone is going to get the wrong idea about us. Look at your sister. She seems to think that I am your girlfriend. We’ve barely even spoken to each other! And how the heck does your sister know what size shoe I wear?”

Drake’s eyes turn even darker in color, glinting with humor, as he shook his head at me. “No can do, babe. I don’t care if anyone thinks you’re my girlfriend because you’re going to be. I told Drea your shoe size. I asked your dad in the car while you were zoned out. Take this stuff and go get ready. I’ll be back for you in an hour. We can talk before the party starts.”

“But—” I shook my head in denial, and Drake didn’t even let me continue.

“Nope.” He reached over and placed his index finger over my lips, instantly quieting my argument. “You can deny it all you want, but I know that you can feel the chemistry between us. When I saw you at the Sig Chi party with Jackson, I wanted you right away. I thought I couldn’t have you, and it pissed me off. I was wrong. I’ve never been so happy to be wrong about something. ‘Cause believe me when I say that I’m going to have you, and I’m not sure I’m going to want to let you go again.”

I didn’t know what to say. His confession shocked the hell out of me! I felt like he was steamrolling over me, and I really wanted to cave. His finger caressed my lips as he waited for my response. I’d felt this thing between us, but I just didn’t know if I could trust him.

“I’ll come to the party with you. We’ll talk, but that’s all that’s going to happen tonight. Understand?”