“Dr. McCullough said you would say I’d have to drop it, but I’m ready.”
Of course, Mary was behind this. I’d mentioned Abbie at the pool party, and she’d acted disinterested, but I knew better. She was a German shepherd with a bone. Every now and again, I wished she’d act less interested in my life. I was surprised she hadn’t asked me to video my first encounter in the sheets with Aiken.
Am I really thinking about that?
With my student mere feet in front of me?
I scribbled my name on the line, trying to shut down my overactive brain. Abbie repeated her thanks and how she wouldn’t disappoint me.
“Okay, enough. Go grab a seat. We have a fascinating talk on why people get married. Procreation versus companionship. I have my opinions,of course. I’m sure you do too.”
“Both,of course.” She copied my emphatic words.
A long moan and an even longer sigh escaped my mouth as I lowered my feet into the pedicure tub, Kindle resting precariously on my lap, the chair vibrating against my back.
“Heaven, right? Don’t I know it.” Mary’s voice rang in my ears.
Turning to the left, I found my friend slipping into the vibrating pedi chair next to me, a devilish smirk across her ruby-red lips. “Imagine my shock and surprise seeing you sneak in here without telling me. We always go for pedis together. Usually because I’m the one dragging you like we’re going to the dentist. Are you cheating on me, Claire?”
“Never.”
“Liar.”
I slipped my Kindle into my bag, knowing there would be zero chance of reading, tied my hair back into a messy knot at the nape of my neck, and prepped for a talking-to from Mary.
“Now, speak.”
The two nail techs in front of us, wearing matching pink hospital-like scrubs, looked up at the same time.
“Sorry.” Mary at least acknowledged her ridiculously rude behavior.
I hoisted my right foot up so Mei could take off my old polish, while Mary ignored every request of her attendant.
“Okay, spill,” she whispered to me.
“I’m going on a night out.”
“You mean a date with neighbor boy toy?”
“If you want me to actually go through with it, that kind of talk isn’t helping. I’m teetering on backing out.”
She leaned back and howled. “Come on, Claire, if we can’t laugh, we’ll pass out from the seriousness. He’s hot and nice. Well, way more than nice. Fine, fine, fine. Aiken, I mean—in case you were confused.”
“He asked me to dinner.”
“When were you going to tell me? What’re you wearing?” She leaned closer. “Did you book a wax? They don’t do a good job here. There’s always a few strays, if you know what I mean, and you do not want that. Go to the place down the street.”
“I think you’re getting a bit ahead of yourself, Mar. Plus, he’s already seen me totally naked.”
“What?” Water sloshed out of her foot basin at her sudden jerking movement.
“Shhh, it’s not what you think. I fell, and he helped me into the bath.”
“I may be your boss, but I’m also your closest friend. When were you going to tell me this?”
“Because I was afraid of this. You telling me to wax my vagina.” I whispered the last part. “Besides, I shave.”
“It’s not as smooth,” she rebutted.
