Eric said nothing, just paused for a moment and then pulled her jeans all the way up. She’d helped him by raising her hips, suddenly eager to be covered. He was silent, but she knew that he’d noticed. Maybe it was stupid that she cared, considering the fact that he was bound to notice sooner or later – sooner, in light of what they’d just done. But she couldn’t help the unease that settled over her as she imagined the next time he undressed her, without the cover of darkness.
“Come on.” Eric took her hand and helped her to rise. “It’s past midnight.”
She waited for him to lock up and walked close beside him as they headed toward the parking garage, enjoying the feel of his arm around her waist and the pleasurable afterglow that had settled over her body in the wake of the incredible climax he’d brought her to. All she could think about was the next time they’d be alone together, and though she looked forward to it – in fact, she was trying to plan a time as they walked – she couldn’t help the thread of doubt that wove its way through her thoughts, making her wonder what his reaction would be when he stripped off her clothing again and saw what he’d only felt tonight.
****
Mina smiled at the little slip of paper stuck to her apartment door. Tucking it into her purse, she turned to leave again instead of going inside. She’d just arrived home from work and had planned on relaxing for a little while before heading to the high school to pick Jess up from her art club meeting, but this would be even better. She could swing by the post office and have Jess’s homecoming dress in hand when she picked her up. She’d be thrilled.
Things went smoothly at the post office, and before she knew it, it was five-thirty and she was pulling up in front of the high school. Jess was waiting for her around the side entrance near the art studio, as usual. She sat in her chair, bundled against the chill in her favorite fuchsia pea coat, flashing a smile in Mina’s direction. Mina hurried to help her into the car and deposited her wheelchair in the trunk, eager to share the news. “Guess what arrived today?”
Jess peered over her shoulder and into the back seat, where the large protective cardboard box took up most of the space. “Is that my dress?”
Mina nodded.
Jess beamed. “I can’t wait to try it on! Patty got her dress last week and she’s been showing me pictures of it every day. I told her…” Jess launched into an account of her friends’ dress-buying experiences, using her fingers to draw tally marks on the foggy window as she counted who’d bought their dresses already and who was waiting until the last minute.
Ten short minutes later, they were home. Mina walked behind Jess, hugging the large box against her chest. Imagining seeing Jess in the gown, she was almost as excited as Jess herself. She could just imagine Jess’s smile when she saw herself in the exact same dress the model in the catalogue had worn – the one she’d wanted above all others. A warm glow of satisfaction enveloped Mina. She’d done it. She’d managed to get Jess the dress she wanted, and she was going to love it. Wheelchair or not, she wouldn’t be left out – just like her girlfriends, she’d have a beautiful dress and a date to the dance.
Mina struggled to maintain her hold on the box as she stood in front of her apartment door, fishing in her pocket for her keys.
“Here, let me hold that for you.” A voice came seemingly out of nowhere, and Mina felt the awkwardly-shaped box being lifted out of her arms.
“Oh, Blake, thanks.” She smiled at the boy; their neighbor from two doors down, as she shook a cramp out of her hand and turned her key in the lock. He was a cute kid with sandy hair and big brown eyes, a year or so older than Jess. They went to the same high school, though as far as Mina knew, they didn’t have any classes together.
“No problem.” He beamed back at her, and Mina pushed the apartment door open, feeling amused and slightly embarrassed. Blake was sweet and helpful – just last week, he’d helped her carry her groceries into her apartment. Mina suspected that he had a crush on her.
“See you later, Blake.” She waited for Jess to cross the threshold before stepping inside herself.
“Don’t you want your box?” Blake asked, staring down at the package.
Mina smiled and took it from him. “Definitely. Thanks. It’s Jess’s homecoming dress.”
“Great.” He waved a goofy goodbye to her and Jess before Mina eased the door shut, smiling at him before turning to Jess.
“All right. You ready to try this thing on?”