Chapter 427

• I dress quickly and brush out my damp hair, blowdrying it fast. The one good thing about my shorter wavy hair is it requires no maintenance. It styles itself. I throw on the most basic of make-up and a spritz of perfume and am ready by the time he walks out of the bathroom, fully clothed and smelling divine. He looks me up and down appreciatively.
• “Beautiful, as always, Cara Mia.” He takes my hand and brings it to his mouth, gently kissing my knuckles in a very gentlemanly fashion. “Have you got everything?” he asks, his eyes focused on mine; today, they look a hazy, softer green with hints of silver flecks, relaxed and happy. I nod, lifting my handbag from the dresser with my free hand, and follow him out of the bedroom into the living room.
• Daniel is lounging on a long, low couch using his phone. He has both feet on the leather, even though he’s wearing shoes. He’s dressed in nearly identical attire to Jake; either it’s this season’s hot look, or we have a little bit of imitation going on, and I can hazard a guess that it’s on Daniel’s part.