Lunch on a Thursday was the only time we could all get together. We were all busy so getting together was tricky. I'd normally be sitting at my desk with a take-out container of Chinese slaving over some brief.
"Thanks for meeting me on my birthday," I replied, smiling. Hannah came around the table and I stood for a hug.
"I'll share a cab. I have to meet with my editor," Ali added. She finished off her glass, then stood too. "I'm so glad you're the first one, not me. You can be the first to find a man."
Wouldn't that be nice? Totally unrealistic, but nice. All three of them were gorgeous. Tall and willowy like models. They'd all played college volleyball together and I'd been Tracy's roommate. Unlike them, I was petite and curvy with large breasts, so volleyball wasn't for me. I wasn't not pretty, some of the men who'd made it into my bed had told her me I was beautiful. Of course, every one of them commented on how spectacular my D-sized breasts were. A guy would say anything, though, as I undid the front clasp of my bra.
"Me?" I pointed at myself. "I'm the short one. If you three can't get dates, then I'm doomed."
"Whatever," Ali said, rolling her eyes at me before she left with a backward wave. Clearly she didn't agree with me.
I sat down across from Tracy and finished off my wine. "I'm glad I took the afternoon off," I said. "I doubt I could stay awake through a deposition."
She lifted her wine glass in a toast. "I'm on the four o'clock flight." As a pharmaceutical rep, she travelled for work frequently. She got to see new places. I got to see the four walls of my office sixty hours a week. "I'm sorry I have to leave you on your big day and that we can't celebrate in style this weekend."
I waved away her concern. "It's fine." It was. I was making a big deal out of turning thirty and I shouldn't. I had a great job, I owned my own apartment and I had spectacular boobs. Plus, I had the afternoon off. "Besides, it'll be your turn soon enough and we'll party then for the both of us."
She grinned. "Deal." Crossing her arms over her chest, she looked at me sharply and said, "You're gorgeous, you know."
I flushed at the compliment but said nothing.
"You are. Just because you're not giraffe tall like the three of us doesn't mean anything." She pointed at me. "I'd kill for breasts like yours. Seriously woman."
I'd heard this before. "Fine, fine. We'll find a dominant duke who likes giraffes for you and a Highlander who likes curvy, short girls for me."
"Deal. You find them and I'll be on the first flight home." She glanced at her watch. "I've got to go. I haven't even packed yet." Raising her hand, she flagged down the waiter for the check. "What are you going to do with the rest of your day? God, I can't believe you actually took half a day."
I never took off work. Ever. Being on track to make junior partner, I didn't dare. I'd be a stodgy lawyer the rest of my life, but I only turned thirty once, so drinking in the afternoon with girlfriends was definitely needed. "I'm going shopping."
Instead of moping about having a little pity party about my non-existent sex life, or lack thereof, I needed a little retail therapy. A new pair of killer heels would make any woman feel better. I wouldn't go to the big mall, but intstead the trendy, boutique shops in town. One shop in particular was my favorite and it was usually dangerous for my bank account to even window shop, but not today. Today I was splurging.
Tracy frowned. "That's not fair. I want to go, too."
I gave a shrug. "Tough. I'll get those gorgeous red heels we've been eyeing at Charm."
"Bitch," she muttered, signing the credit card slip.
"You'll borrow them and you know it," I countered.
A smile curved her lips. "True, but don't have too much fun without me."
***
Two pairs of shoes—including the red heels—a new sundress and a pretty bra and panty set later, I felt much better. Stepping out onto the sidewalk from the cool air-conditioned store, I sighed at the thick humidity. It wasn't unusual for July, but my colorful tank top and bra didn't take long to stick to my sweaty skin.
As I walked toward my car a few blocks away, I felt the jewelry store before I saw it. Yup, felt it. It was a warm, humming feeling, something that seeped into my body and made me feel good all over. Like a hot bath. My nipples tightened and my clit pulsed as if I was reading a hot erotic novel on my e-reader. Surprised at the weird sensation, I looked around. No one else on the sidewalk appeared affected, although it would be a bit odd if everyone on the street became aroused as I was. Maybe I was overheated, but I'd only been outside for thirty seconds. Maybe it was the wine. I should have stopped at one glass earlier, but I didn't feel tipsy or anything.