Low flicks off her sneakers and tucks her feet under her bottom. “So where’s the big miracle taking place? Hallowed Grounds? Something quick andcaffeinated?”
Raven scoffs. “The Witch’s Cauldron? Something hot and immersive that a soul or two can drownin?”
I chew on that for a moment. “As tempting as a scalding death sounds, I’m not up for suffocating him just yet. He’ll be treating me to a meal atEnigma.”
“Oh?” Low muses as she swings her ponytail from side to side. “Then are you heading up to his place for a little nightcap? Maybe some whiskey with a twist ofsin?”
I pause a moment on my way back to my bedroom. “That’s right.” I gasp. “Enigma is in the Jepson Towers. He did mention his penthouse is in the same building. I guess I didn’t put two and two together.” My entire body fills with heat at the idea. “But trust me, that boy knows better than to think he can just whisk me off to his place and land me flat on my back. There’s no way he’s hitting a home run with me ever again. And the rest of the bases don’t stand a chance either. Nope. This is strictly about the food—and by acquiescing to the date, he’s kindly offered to stop calling me Lexy.” I take a moment to glare at Raven. “Don’t even try to sayit.”
“Oh, I won’t.” She spikes her ice cream stick into her next pizza slice as if it were a fork. “Low filled me in on all the levels of crazy it brings out in you. As delightful as it would be to witness from afar, there’s no way in hell I’d pop the cork on thatbottle.”
I glare at her for a moment until she sinks lower on thesofa.
“I meant H-E-double hockey sticks,Mom.”
“That’s better. Now clean this house before I get back or I’ll beat you with a wooden spoon until you’re black andblue.”
The two of them titter out a laugh at my not-so vague threat while I primp and pamper myself into polishedperfection.
I strut back out and do a little twirl, thus breaking their TVtrance.
“Oh my God!” Low exclaims with marked excitement. “You are so getting laidtonight!”
“No, I’m not.” I swing my hips from side to side. “Well, maybe. I have been flirting with Pink Thomas ever since you left him behind. I’d seal the deal, but Strudel’s already claimed him for himself.” It’s true. That dildo that was left behind on the night of the bridal shower wars is now fast friends with my little horny pooch. Although in Strudel’s defense, he thinks it’s just an incredible vibrating chew toy. I’ll admit I’m a bit envious. Especially on those nights where I miss a man—ironic since the only man I’ve ever been with is the one I’m going out withtonight.
Raven bumps her knee to Low’s. “Ten bucks says they hook up and she doesn’t make it home tonight. You don’t put on a dress like that for an ex you claim to despise more than footfungus.”
It’s true—the foot fungus thing. “I stand by my claim. The reason I’ve donned such a hip-hugging frock is to look admirable while walking into Enigma. Everyone knows the who’s who of anywhere can be found dining in that very place. And who knows? Maybe there’s a suitor lurking in there for me yet.” I lean in to glare at Raven, and that smug little smile of satisfaction on her face regarding the state of my vagina. “And if I don’t happen to come home tonight, it will be because I met up with a serial killer. I’m much more emotionally prepared to deal with that than I am spending the night with Axel Collins.” I stalk out the door, and both Low and Raven trail me to theporch.
“Do everything I would do!” Lowsings.
“You’re such a whore,” I grumble as I crawl into mycar.
“Something tells me you’d be a better one!” she sings and my chest rumbles with a laugh because I’m positive she’s right. As much as I want to shove Low out of my life, something in me demands to keep her. There’s just something about her that’s always reminded me of Serena. I’d walk to the moon and back for my sister. And, evidently, I’d let someone in my life just because she reminds me all too much of my little sis,too.
Raven mimes for me to roll down my passenger’s window, and I reluctantlydo.
She dashes over with that dark curtain of hair collapsing over one side of her face, leaving a bright blue eye staring back atme.
“In case you decide not to come back tonight, just know that statistically speaking, men are not only far more aroused by women who make the first sexual move, they tend to keep her in the power position for the remainder of therelationship.”
“What are you saying?” I’m not sure if I should be offended or simply run her over and put her out of her own misery. It must be tiring to be trapped in that head ofhers.
“I’m saying if you want to maintain the power position, strike first blood. Land that boy on his back and make him yourbitch.”
My mouth falls open just as I speed out of my quaint little neighborhood, and the protesters scatter as I almost nail a small clump of them. As if. I wish. Maybe someday if I’mlucky.
Power positionindeed.
An image of Axel lying beneath me, those hungry eyes of his staring up at mine, his fingers digging into my hips as he pounds me over his body flashes through my mind, and every last inch of me ignites like acandle.
This is not adate.
I will not venture to his perverted penthouse where he’s undoubtedly bedded a bevy of bobble-headedbeauties.
I am going straight home afterdinner.
Ithink.
