It’s sleeveless and shows the right amount of cleavage. It comes about four inches above my knee. I grab the size eight from the rack and walk to the back where the lingerie is kept. I grab a white strapless, silky smooth pushup bra and matching panties from the rack, and walk up to the checkout counter.
“It’s about time you bought this dress,” the lady says. I don’t know her, but she has obviously seen me in here a few times. I smile warmly and hand her my credit card.
I toss the bags into the passenger seat of my car and slide into my seat. I take a left out of the parking lot and head to The Cove. I have to get my stuff from Nick’s place before he gets home. I can’t see him again. If I do, I’m going to want him again. Who am I kidding? I want him right now, but I can’t keep this up.
I’m sure he won’t be too upset. I know men like him don’t have trouble finding a woman to fall into their bed.
Getting into the elevator, I retrieve my cell phone to bring up the text from last night with the code for the penthouse. I quickly type it in and ride up.
When I enter the living room area, I walk straight to the bedroom and grab all my belongings. On the way out, I notice the doorframe has been fixed. I sigh, realizing I’m going to really miss him. Not just the sex, but him. How can I be so affected by a man I just met two days ago? I’ve never felt this way for another person before and that’s scary.
I shake my head−like that’s going to help me forget about him−and make my exit. I reach my car and toss everything in my small trunk. When I settle into the driver’s seat, I take my phone out of my purse and see I have a missed call from Katelyn. I quickly call her back.
“Hey, chickie. Are we still on for tonight?” I can hear the excitement in her voice. Katelyn loves our Friday nights together. She’s not a big drinker like me, but we both love to dance.
“Absolutely,” I say with the same excitement in my voice. “I need a fun night out and the distraction.” I don’t tell her the distraction I really need is from Nick. I know she is thinking it’s because of Luke and Allison.
“Shannon, are you really okay? Stacy says you are, but I need to hear you say it,” she says. Her excitement has turned to concern.
“I am,” I reply, because truthfully I am. I do not miss Luke. Allison is a different story; I’m really hurt and angry by what she did. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive her.
“So can I come over to get dressed at your place and crash on your couch tonight?”
“Of course you can. You should know by now you don’t have to ask. Get your ass over here. I need to see you so I can make sure for myself that you’re really okay.” She has worry in her voice. Katelyn, just like Stacy, is a really good friend.
“In fact, there is no reason you should be staying alone in a hotel. Bring all your stuff and you can stay with us,” she adds.
You see, this is why I love my friends. I smile against the phone. “Okay, be there in thirty. Later,” I tell her. I don’t address the last part. Staying one night is fine, but I have no intension of staying longer. I end our call and toss my cell phone on the passenger seat of my car, and then leave The Cove’s parking lot, heading to Katelyn and Stacy’s apartment.
SIX
Traffic is heavy this afternoon and it takes me forty minutes to get from The Cove to Katelyn and Stacy’s apartment in Pasadena. Walking up the stairs, I see Ben locking his door. He and Kyle are roommates and best friends who live next door to Katelyn and Stacy, which is how we met them one night. It’s been a blast ever since.
“Hey, sweetness,” Ben greets me halfway up the steps as he’s jogging down. “Stace told me what happened. I can’t say I’m sorry you aren’t with that dick face anymore, but I never wanted to see you hurt. How are you?”
I hug him as I’m laughing. “A better question is what’s with the douche-stash, Ben?” I can’t stop laughing. It’s awful. He starts laughing too.
“What...you don’t like?” he ask though chuckles as he rubs his mustache with two fingers. He has no sense of style apparently.
“No, I don’t. It looks really bad. I thought all gay men were born with great fashion sense. What happened to yours?” I ask him, still laughing uncontrollably.
“Quit with that stereotypical shit. Kyle gets on my fucking nerves enough with comments like that. Besides, I don’t have time for fashion, and I like my douche-stash as you call it. I think it looks fab,” he says in a serious, but playful tone. Ben is gay, but his best friend isn’t and Kyle loves to rag on Ben.