Chapter 79 CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE

Chapter 79 CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE
EVA’S POV
Josh led the way out of the room, Lily walking behind him while I remained in her room for just enough time for it to feel natural before following them downstairs.
By the time I stepped into the living room, Josh was already standing beside the couch with two tuxes hanging over his arm.
“Okay, these are the two options,” he announced, holding them up. “And before you say anything, yes, I know they look almost exactly the same.”
Lily immediately walked over to him, taking one of the tuxes from his hand. They were both in dark colours, one in a very dark shade of blue and the other in a very dark shade of wine.
 “They do look similar,” Lily held both of them up beside each other, squinting at them. “What colour is Indianna’s dress?”
 “Doesn’t matter.”
 “Really?” lily raised her brow, Josh quickly returning his gaze to her. She held them up against his chest, glanced at me then nodded. “In that case, this one.”
“I don't need to. This one makes you look better.”
Josh glanced down at himself before looking at me.
“What do you think?”
I looked between the two tuxes before shrugging.
“I think Lily’s right.”
His lips immediately curved into a small smile.
“See?”
Lily pointed at him.
“Don’t look so happy. You asked for our opinion, not validation.”
“I got both.”
 “Whatever.”
 I smiled as Lily continued inspecting the tux, pointing out little things she liked about one and didn't like about the other. Josh listened to her patiently, occasionally arguing back whenever she criticized something, but every now and then, his eyes would find mine.
And somehow, even though Lily was doing most of the talking, I could tell he cared more about what I thought.
Maybe it was the way he kept looking at me whenever Lily said something.
Or maybe it was simply the fact that every time I gave him a small opinion, he actually listened.
“What about the shirt?” Lily asked, picking up one of the shirts lying beside the tuxes.
“I think the white one.”
Josh looked at me again.
“You agree?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“Then white it is.”
Lily stared at him.
“You know I’m standing right here, right?”
Josh shrugged.
“You said the same thing.”
“No, I said the opposite.”
“Exactly.”
She groaned, and I couldn't stop myself from laughing.
By the time we were done, the tuxes were finally settled on, the shirts chosen and Lily had somehow managed to convince Josh to wear a different pair of shoes than the ones he'd originally planned.
He gathered everything together before looking towards the stairs.
“I need my car keys.”
“They're in your room?”
“Yeah.”
“Then go get them.”
He looked at her for a second before a small smile appeared on his face.
“Can you get them for me?”
Lily frowned.
“Why?”
“Because I have both my hands full.”
She looked at the tuxes before sighing.
“Fine. Where are they?”
“On my nightstand.”
“Okay.”
She turned towards the stairs, leaving us alone in the living room.
The moment she disappeared, Josh placed the tuxes down on the couch and looked at me.
I smiled. “What?”
“Nothing.”
He took a step towards me.
“You're smiling.”
“So are you.”
“Maybe I have a reason.”
“And what’s your reason?”
“You.”
My smile immediately grew.
“You're going to a gala.”
“I know.”
“With another woman.”
His eyebrows lifted.
“Another woman?”
“Indianna.”
He laughed softly.
“It's not a date.”
“I didn't say it was.”
“You were thinking it.”
“I wasn't.”
“You were.”
I crossed my arms, trying to hide the smile threatening to appear on my face.
“Fine. Maybe a little.”
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
“It's not a date, Eva.”
“Then what is it?”
“A gala.”
“With Indianna.”
“Yes.”
“So, you're going with her.”
“Yes.”
I nodded slowly.
“Sounds like a date.”
His lips twitched.
“You're jealous.”
“I am not.”
“You are.”
“I just think it's funny that you came all the way here to see me before going to a gala with her.”
His expression softened.
“I came because I wanted to see you.”
The teasing disappeared from my face.
He reached for my hand, gently pulling me closer.
“And because I knew I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about you if I didn't.”
My heart skipped.
“You say things like that so easily.”
“Only with you.”
I looked away, suddenly feeling shy despite everything that had happened between us.
He reached up and gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
“You look pretty.”
“I haven't even changed.”
“I know.”
He smiled.
“You still look pretty.”
I couldn't stop myself from smiling.
“You look pretty too.”
“Pretty?”
He raised an eyebrow.
“That's the word you're going with?”
I laughed.
“What do you want me to say?”
“I don't know. Handsome would work.”
“Fine. You look handsome.”
“Better.”
I shook my head, but my smile remained.
He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss against my cheek.
“When you get dressed later, send me a picture.”
“A picture of what?”
“Your outfit.”
“Why?”
“So I can see what you're wearing.”
“You're going to be at a gala.”
“I know.”
“With Indianna.”
“Still not a date.”
I laughed quietly.
“You're very determined to make sure I know that.”
“Because I want you to know.”
His fingers slipped between mine.
“I want to see you before I leave.”
I looked at our joined hands before looking back at him.
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“I'll send you a picture.”
His smile returned.
“Good.”
He reached for his phone and unlocked it before handing it to me.
“Come here.”
“What?”
“Picture.”
I stared at him.
“Now?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Because I want one.”
He wrapped an arm around my waist before I could argue, pulling me against his side.
I barely had time to react before he pressed a kiss against my cheek, the camera clicking. I looked at the picture and immediately smiled.
“You look ridiculous.”
“I look great.”
“You kissed my cheek.”
“Exactly.”
He took the phone from me, staring at the picture for a moment.
“Perfect.”
“What are you going to do with it?”
“Keep it.”
“Why?”
He looked at me. “So I have something to look at tonight.”
My cheeks warmed.
He leaned closer again, his lips brushing mine in a soft kiss this time, slower than the one before.
When he pulled away, neither of us moved immediately.
His forehead rested against mine.
“I'll see you later.”
“Later?”
“Yeah.”
I nodded, my fingers still curled around his.
He reluctantly let go, picking up the tuxes from the couch.
And just as he turned towards the door, footsteps sounded from the stairs.
I immediately stepped back.
Josh barely had enough time to straighten his shirt before Lily appeared with his keys in her hand.
“Here.”
She tossed them towards him.
He caught them easily.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
Lily looked between the two of us before shrugging.
“Ready?”
“Yeah.”
Josh glanced at me one last time.
“I'll see you later.”
I smiled.
“Okay.”
He walked out with Lily, leaving me standing there with the faint warmth of his kiss still lingering on my lips.