Her Best Friend's Brother, T. Dell [good book club books .TXT] 📗

“He kissed you.” Tony hissed although more calmly since reason was now settling back into place in his brain.

“And why wouldn’t Sam care?”

“We aren’t a couple Tony. We went out a few times, but it was nothing. And Frank almost kissed me. I walked away but I guess you missed that part while you were busy rescuing me from myself. Not that any of that is your business. I have been kissed before. I am not a little girl.”

Sam wasn’t her boyfriend. Libby didn’t have a boyfriend. Wait who had she been kissing? “Who have you been kissing?”

“Again, not your business. But I do believe I kissed you earlier today.”

you earlier today.”

“And here I thought I was the one who kissed you.” And just like that things were okay again. Tony had seen red when he came looking for Libby and saw her so close to Frank that he doubted a piece of paper could have passed between them and he thought he saw them kiss.

But, he could have been wrong about that. And Libby was here now. And she wasn’t dating Sam Tucker. “I’m sorry Lib. I was… wel I had a weird moment but I’m better now.”

There it was her just-for-Libby smile. So she wasn’t angry anymore. “How did the photos go?” She tried to change topics.

Tony grinned. “They took forever! Al those moms and aunts and grandmas and great aunts and no one knew what was going on or who should stand where. It was a mess. Remind me, when the time comes, to elope!” For just a moment his last words hung in the air between them taking on a slightly different meaning then he had intended.

Wow. Did the air sizzle and snap! Leaning in, Tony touched her arm. “Dance with me Libby.”

When they danced Tony held her close. Not pressing against her the way Frankie had, but he gently tugged her into him and tucked her head under his chin.

“You smel like lavender.”

“It’s lotion. I have dry skin.”

Tony chuckled. Only Libby could make having dry skin sound so sexy. “You smel great. I love it. A few heartbeats passed before Tony spoke again. “Did I tel you Olivia’s colege roommate, Tara, pinched my ass during the photos?”

“What!” Libby laughed at the conversation change and puled back a little to look him in the eyes.

“She did! I felt like a piece of meat. It was disgusting.” A smile quirked at the edge of his mouth “and she is headed right for us.” Tony leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Let’s you and I pretend we are here together—on a real date.”

“What?” Libby breathed out the word even as her heart skipped.

“Please? It wil chase Tara away.” His breath was warm and moist on the shel of her ear.

“Kay” she turned to look at him, but his face was only an inch away from hers. He wasted no time in closing that distance. This was no gentle mistletoe kiss.

His lips molded firmly to hers. His tongue swept over lips and she opened, wiling him to deepen the kiss.

“Tonnyy!!” A high pitched, sugar sweet, sing-song voice invaded their moment. “I hope you are saving a dance for me.” The woman was a few years older than Tony and blond bombshel that filed out her bridesmaid dress like she had gotten it a size too smal—on purpose.

“Tara.” Tony turned keeping his arm around Libby. “I don’t believe you have met my date—Libby McKay.” His voice was easy, but not warm. Tara did not take the hint.

“Your date?” Tara looked confused for a moment, but she recovered quickly. “Libby. Oh right, Libby.

Aren’t you little Melanie’s date?”

“Does it look like I am on a date with Mel?” Sliding her free arm across Tony’s chest until it rested just inside his suit jacket Libby angled her body into his. Libby was not going to be intimidated, and she sure as hel wasn’t giving up on a date with Tony Marchetti – even if it was a pretend date.

“Wel I guess I wil see you two around.” Tara turned around looking a little dazed and headed towards the bar.

“You were amazing!” Tony spun Libby back into his arms laughing. “Is she stil watching?” Libby had no idea where Tara was. “Yes” She answered immediately.

“Good.” Tony drew her into another deep kiss.

Angling his mouth over hers this kiss shook her al the way to her toes and as he backed away he softly whispered

“wow”.

Every minute of that night was forever burned into Libby’s memories. Most of her dances belonged to Tony, and he even presented her with a glass of champagne when it was time for the toasts. Al too soon the evening was over, and Tony was dropping her off at home. She hoped he would walk her to the door and maybe she would even get another kiss.

“I had fun Lib.” Tony cocked a grin at her as he puled up in front of her building.

“Me too.”

“Wel have a great Christmas. I won’t be home again for awhile. I have an early flight out tomorrow and I start at the Examiner the next day. But I’l be in touch.” And he said the whole thing smiling. Libby couldn’t believe it. The best night of her life and a dress worth an entire winter break of servitude to her mother’s bakery and hewould be in touch. ”

“Great. Thanks for the ride. Merry Christmas.” She climbed out of the car. Her apartment was on the fourth floor. For the first two flights she was determined to be angry with him. But by the time she finished climbing the last two flights she was determined to be positive. It had been a great night. And he did say that he had fun. By the time she fel asleep that night she was sure that Tony Marchetti was one step closer to realizing he couldn’t live without her.

Chapter Three

Merry Christmas! It was so weird to