I should start getting ready for my date with Tyler, but I still have to tell Marcus about him. I don't know why I'm so nervous, but as the clock keeps ticking, I know I won't be able to hide it any longer.

"So, Marcus," I start hesitantly, finding him sprawled on the living room floor with his textbooks scattered around him.

"Yeah?" he says, not really looking at me.

"I met someone," I say, feeling a slight blush creep into my cheeks.

"Oh?" He looks up, his face lighting up with curiosity as he pauses his study session.

"His name's Tyler McGregor."

Marcus blinks, his eyes widening as he absorbs the news. "Wait, THE Tyler McGregor? The MMA fighter?"

I nod, a shy smile tugging at my lips. "Yeah, that's him. We met at the bar the other night, and, uh, he asked me out."

He sits up straighter, his textbooks momentarily forgotten. "Whoa, that's... unexpected."

"Yeah," I reply softly, suddenly feeling like I need to explain. "He's actually really nice."

Marcus's surprise shifts into a mixture of awe and concern. "You're going out with Tyler McGregor?"

I nod again, feeling a surge of nervous excitement. "Yeah. I hope that's okay. He's picking me up later tonight."

Marcus takes a moment, processing this information. His protective instincts kick in, and he looks at me with a mix of brotherly concern and curiosity. "Andie, are you sure about this? He's, like, a celebrity. Wasn't his ex like a top model or something?"

"Oh... Uh..." I mumble, chewing on my lip nervously. "But he's different, Marcus. He's genuine, and he treats me really well."

"Well, just make sure he knows I'm watching. And that I can throw a pretty mean punch in his direction if he messes with you." He grins warmly, a hint of teasing in his voice.

I can't help but chuckle. "Oh, I'll let him know."

He chuckles too, but his concern is clear. "Okay, just... be careful, Andie. And have fun, I guess."

"I will," I assure him, feeling a rush of gratitude for his brotherly protectiveness. "Thanks, Marcus."

*****

This is ridiculous! I sigh as I plop down on my bed. A bed which is full of clothes and accessories. I called Kayla earlier so she could help me figure out what to wear, but she gave me so many options that I'm now in much more trouble.

She also bet fifty dollars I'd sleep with Tyler on our first date and now I can't stop thinking about it, on top of everything.

Oh, my God! Does he think I implied I was ready to go all the way in today?

Am I ready to go all the way with him?

I've just met him!

But then, when he kisses me, I simply forget everything around us...

Marcus finds me in the middle of the mess in my bedroom a while later. "Whoah! What happened here?" he asks.

"I don't know what to wear for my date with Tyler! He'll be here in an hour or so and I only managed to get my make-up done. I don't know what to do with my hair and have nothing to wear." I groan, rolling to my side to find him leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, smirking.

"Why are girls so weird? You have literally three times more clothes than me and I never run out of clothes to wear." He picks up some clothes from a chair near my bed to sit down.

"Because the world is cruel to girls, dear baby brother." I sigh and he scoffs.

"Or you just want to impress this guy?" He grins, and I throw a blouse at his face.

"You said his ex is freaking top model, Marcus." I bury my face in a pillow, and a moment later, I feel him settle down beside me.

"And he asked you out. Which means he definitely saw something in you, otherwise, why would he want to go out with you? He's a fucking World champion, filthy rich and famous, Andie. He could literally have any girl he wanted," he says, all matter-of-factly, and I Iet out another groan.

"Wow, thanks." I sit up, looking at him.

"You know what I mean." He shakes his head. "Just be yourself. If he can't appreciate that, then he's a loser and doesn't deserve you."

Smiling, I ruffle his hair. "When did you grow up? Only yesterday you were my annoying little brother, and now you're giving me dating advice?"

"I've never seen you so excited about going out with a guy before." He looks at me seriously.

"Tyler is... different. I know we just met and all, but... He's a good man, you know?"

"As long as he treats you right... That's all that really matters."

"Thank you." I press a kiss to the top of his head. "I guess you're right. I should just relax and be myself." I stand up and head to the little black dress I bought earlier.

"I'll let you get ready," Marcus says, standing up and giving me a reassuring pat on the shoulder before leaving me alone to finish getting ready.

*****

Tyler texts me to let me know he's downstairs, and I take a deep, steadying breath before checking myself in the mirror one last time.

Different from the night I went clubbing with Kayla, I look more like myself today. My hair falls in soft waves over my shoulders, and my makeup is light and natural. After moisturizing my face, I blended a nude brown eyeshadow shade on the outer crease of my eyes and below my lash line, then applied winged eyeliner and coated my lashes in mascara before finishing with my favorite nude lip gloss.

After forever, I decided to go with a knee-length, sleeveless bodycon dress that accentuates my curves while covering most of my body. I feel beautiful, even though I'm nervous, and I use that to my advantage.

Heading to the living room, I find Marcus watching TV and messing with his phone. When he finally sees me, his eyes widen. "Wow, you look beautiful, Andie."

"Thank you." I smile at him as I head to the kitchen to get a glass of water. My throat is dry and my heart is beating hard, so I need a couple of minutes to myself before meeting Tyler.

"Be careful out there and I don't know... call me if you need anything," Marcus says once I'm back in the living room, making me smile and easing some of the tension from my shoulders.

"I guess that's my line," I joke as I put my phone in my clutch.

"I know, I just... You've been on your own for so long. I just wanted to let you know I'm here if you need me." He looks at me, and my heart warms.

"Appreciate it." I squeeze his shoulder. "I'll see you later."

"See you." I hear him say as I lock the door behind me and head downstairs.

The moment I step outside my building, I find Tyler casually leaning by his car, messing with his phone. As if sensing my eyes on him, he glances up, his lips curving into a slow, heart-stopping smile when he sees me. My stomach flips with excitement when he takes a deep breath, his gaze trailing overme from head to toe.

I confess that if it were any other guy, I'd be annoyed. But Tyler's looking at me as if he can't help himself, as if he's ready to devour me.

The thing is, the man in front of me is different. He makes me feel different. Like I can allow myself to go beyond my everyday problems. Like I can be a normal twenty-something and not the broken girl I've been for as long as I can remember.

His smile turns sweet and almost boyish when his eyes meet mine again, realizing I've caught him checking me out. And God, it hits me hard. He is this gorgeous, muscled guy, a non-bullshit taker, a freaking MMA fighter. Yet, there's this gentle side to him that makes him even more alluring.

As I walk toward him, I let myself give him a once-over of my own. He looks mouthwateringly gorgeous in loose-fitting black trousers and a dark grey tailored blazer paired with a white dress shirt. A sexy and expensive combination that looks so good on him that the moment I stop in front of him, I'm breathless.

"You look stunning." His hands find my waist, and in a split second, he's pulling me to him and whispering in my ear, "I love the dress, by the way."

"You don't look so bad yourself." I chuckle, my hands circling his neck as if it were the most natural thing to do.

Pulling away slightly, he looks into my eyes. "Let's get out of here."

_____

A/N: Okay, who's ready for this date? haha

Please remember to vote and follow me here @CelesteABrookfor news & updates.

XOXO

Celeste