Finding Olivia (Trace + Olivia #1) by Micalea Smeltzer

and wiggled into the skinny jeans. I was really beginning to hate having a roommate that was the same size as me.
    But then, when I turned , and saw the way the jeans hugged my curves, all hate was forgotten.
    “Nice, huh?” Avery smirked, studying my reaction.
    I groaned at being caught smiling. “They’re okay.”
    “You’re such a liar. Don’t liars go to Hell?” She grinned saucily.
    I threw a pillow at her. “I know sinners do.”
    She caught the pillow and hugged it to her chest. “Then there’s a special place in Hell with my name on it,” she winked, “and a majority of the population of the world. Everyone is a sinner when it comes to something.”
    “So,” I drawled, “I assume you’re going to give me a shirt to wear. I don’t think they’ll let me eat in just my bra.”
    “Oh, right,” Avery shook her head and grabbed a lightweight sweater off of her bed. “Here,” she handed it to me.
    It was oatmeal colored and the bottom of it hung in different lengths. I was surprised by how soft it felt, like a blanket you’d give a baby.
    I pulled it over my head and adjusted it so that it hung right.
    “Seriously, Olivia, you’re so pretty,” Avery looked me up and down. “It’s not fair.”
    Avery was calling me pretty? What planet was this?
    Avery was drop dead gorgeous with red hair that hung halfway down her back, pouty lips, and insane curves. She had the kind of body girls desired and guys drooled over. She wasn’t big but she wasn’t small either. I t hought she was the perfect healthy size.
    She grabbed a leopard print scarf off her closet door and fixed it around my neck.
    “These will look great too,” she handed me a pair of brown leather boots that looked like the kind you’d wear to go horseback riding.
    I sat down and pulled them on. T hey almost came as high as my knees.
    “Almost perf ect,” Avery appraised her handy-work.
    In a matter of seconds , she had my hair hanging down one side in a fishtail braid.
    “Now, you’re perfect,” she grinned.
    I laughed, shaking my head at my best friend.
    Avery had changed into a gray dress, with black tights, heels, and a red jacket. She looked gorgeous. No matter what we were doing, Avery always looked like a knockout. I don’t think I had ever seen her look rumpled or frazzled.
    “Let’s get outta here,” she grabbed her gigantic purse and slung it over her shoulder. Sometimes I wondered what she smuggled in there. No one needed a purse that big.
    “Right behind you,” I replied, taking a deep breath.
    ★★★
    Avery parked her red Volkswagen Beetle in front of Buffalo Wild Wings.
    Her phone chimed and she read the text.
    “That’s Luca, he says that they’re already inside,” she tucked her phone in her purse.
    I followed her inside, not saying a word.
    I was extremely nervous and I didn’t know why. I had been spending a lot of time with Trace, but this felt different. Maybe, it was because we were meeting up to do something that wasn’t on my list. Or maybe, it was because I knew he didn’t know I was coming and I was scared of his reaction. Yeah, I was pretty sure it was that.
    Avery spotted Luca instantly, and what do you know? He was wearing a vest again, with a fedora perched atop his head. I was really beginning to wonder what he had against shirts, or maybe he just wanted to show off his impressive muscular physique. More than one woman was eyeing him appreciatively.
    My eyes moved away from Luca and locked on Trace’s intense green stare.
    He wasn’t check ing me out like most guys would. Instead, he was looking into my eyes, as a smile graced his face. And not just a little smile either; it was a big happy one that showed me all of his perfect white teeth.
    My heart leapt.
    Trace was happy to see me.
    Avery and I took the chairs across from the guys.
    “Hey,” I smiled lightly at Trace, hoping the dim lighting of the restaurant hid my blushing cheeks.
    “Hey,” he leaned towards me, his eyes