Taking Chances (Learning to Love) by LJ Baker Read Free Book Online Page B

Because I have some things that would look great on you, and I promise, nothing too crazy."
    I was glad Matt was busy with the bachelor party and wouldn't be seeing me before we left. Even though I was twenty-three, he still thought of me as his baby sister.
    "I'm positive." I led her out of my room and toward the kitchen.
    She hopped up on the counter while I went to work making us both a cappuccino in the fancy machine her parents insisted we needed. Foamy white splatters went whirling out onto the counter and my shirt.
    "This damn thing makes a mess every time I use it. I'm pretty sure it's defective."
    Kat rolled her eyes. "I'm pretty sure it's user error."
    I dabbed the counter with a paper towel. "I'd like to see you do a better job."
    She smirked. "Ha! Yeah, right. If you want something in the toaster, I'm your girl."
    She wasn't far off. The only kitchen appliance Kat ever used besides the toaster, was the oven and that was only to make cake. I opened the cabinet and motioned my head in the direction of the fourteen boxes of cake mix sitting on the shelf. "These don't exactly go in the toaster." I looked over the boxes. "Hey, did you buy more?"
    She shrugged. "There was a sale."
    I shook my head and handed her a cup of cappuccino. Kat raised an eyebrow at the mess I made, but happily accepted the steaming cup, sipping it carefully.
    "You know, there are going to be hot guys with very little clothing everywhere you look this evening," Kat purred.
    "Hey, I tried to have a little bathroom fun last night, but I was interrupted."
    Kat spit cappuccino onto the floor. "That's not even funny." She was trying, ineffectively, to hold back a smile.
    We both burst out laughing.
    My chest hurt from laughing so hard. "Every time I think about seeing Gary and Sebastian at the wedding tomorrow, I want to puke."
    Kat hopped off the counter and gave me a quick hug. "Look, what happened, happened. It's over, done. How about we just forget about all of it tonight and have a great time?"
    I nodded. "I know you're right. There's really nothing I can do about it tonight anyway."
    Kat smiled. "Exactly. So you find yourself a nice half naked stripper and forget all about those two idiots."
    "Seriously, Kat." I shook my head and half-smiled at her. "Tell you what, I promise not to rule it out, okay?"
    Kat beamed like a mother watching her child take its first steps. Maybe she was right. Maybe I did just need a hot, dirty, one night stand, not that I would tell her that.
    "Okay, well I'm going to get ready. I suggest you do the same." She eyed the cappuccino splattered on the front of me. "Let me know if you change your mind about a dress," she called as she walked down the hall and disappeared into her room.
    ***
    I looked in the mirror and wondered what to do with my hair. I rummaged through my jewelry box and found a fancy jeweled clip that belonged to my grandmother. I used it to secure my hair up and let a few loose chestnut curls fall loosely around my face. Marcus used to love my hair like that. If there was one thing I would give the bastard credit for, it was that he always made me feel sexy. Of course, he was also making anything else with boobs feel sexy, too. I wondered if I'd ever get over the fact that he ended up just like the one man I swore to keep out of my life, my father.
    Usually, I didn't wear much makeup, but I felt adventurous. I didn't know what it was. Maybe the dress, or the aftermath of my humiliation, but I was in the mood to let go, be someone else for the night.
    I went across the hall to Kat's room and peeked my head in. "Wanna do my makeup?"
    "Of course I do!" Kat clapped her hands together in delight.
    "Don't look so excited."
    "You'd think since I do this for a living that you'd ask a little more often."
    "You know I think you're awesome." I shot her the pouty look she used on me all the time.
    She rolled her eyes and motioned for me to follow her into the bathroom. She sat me down at her vanity and went to