“I don’t know. I have a ton to do. Applications…” My excuses trailed off.
“It’s Friday, like you mentioned.”
“Is it? My panties say it’s Monday.” Slamming my eyes shut, I was embarrassed by my own brashness.
“Monday is the new Friday. At least that’s what I heard. Come on, a quick dinner,” he said, taking my hand in his and bringing it to his lips, placing a kiss above my knuckles. “Do me the honor?”
With one brush of his lips over my skin, I was a goner. “Okay,” I said softly. “But I have one more class…”
“That’s cool. I have to go to the range. I can grab you around seven?”
Forcing myself to nod, I couldn’t believe I was agreeing to this.
“Text me the address.”
With a squeeze of my hand, I realized we were still connected there too late. As soon as he let go, I felt naked and exposed.
“Bye, Brutus,” I said, bending over and ruffling the top of his head. He looked up at me, brown discs for eyes, tongue hanging out, and I imagined he mirrored how I looked.
I was about to say goodbye when Daniel leaned in and whispered, “Don’t forget the panties. I don’t care if it’s the wrong day of the week.”
I couldn’t help my left eyebrow lifting up as I eyed him…
“Kidding. Dinner. Just dinner.”
He ran off with Brutus before I could respond, and I was left wondering if I wanted him to be kidding or not.
Staring in the mirror, I half turned and took a look at my butt in the dark jeans I’d stashed in the back of my closet. Skinnydark jeans I’d bought last Christmas and never wore. They accented all my Mediterranean curves, and I wasn’t sure about them.
“Looks great,” Kimberlie ducked into my room and exclaimed like she was my bestie. I hadn’t seen her in a week or longer.
Gotta love how she popped into my room without knocking.
“Thanks. You’re home?”
“For a sec. Had to grab something my parents kept asking me about. A tax form.”
I didn’t respond. Kimberlie was an odd duck but split the rent and didn’t cause problems. Period.
“Anyway, whatever you’re doing, have fun,” was all she said before turning and leaving.
Like I said, she had issues.
Studying myself from the front, I wondered if the white blouse was appropriate for where we were going. Daniel hadn’t said, so I went with the dark jeans, ankle boots, and the blouse tucked in, a Southwest-type belt tying it all together.
Tiny flares of anxiety fluttered in my belly like butterflies in the summer. I was eternally grateful when Sella said she was going to a concert with some friends from her major. I’d mumbled something about having a lot of work, and knowing me, she’d accepted the excuse. Having her here while I got ready would have ratcheted up my nerves even more than they were.
Sneaking one last glance at my rear end, I smiled at no one, knowing I hadn’t worn my day-of-the-week panties. Channeling Sella, I went with a black lace thong I’d also purchased a while back and never worn. It was still unclear whether Daniel would see it or not—I wasn’t certain whether I wanted him to, or he did.
Slicking on red lip gloss, I was ready. I’d told Daniel I’d meet him out front, mostly not wanting him to see the inside of my place and/or run into Sella. Hightailing it out the door, down the stairs, and outside, I blamed my rapid heartbeat on rushing.When I saw Daniel leaning against his car, like Jake Ryan in the famed eighties movie, I knew it had nothing to do with running down the stairs.
It was a clear night and dusk was falling all around us, the sky resembling purple cotton candy. I was in a dream sequence. This wasn’t my life.
“Hey there,” Daniel said, stepping away from the car and coming to greet me. With a kiss to my cheek, he spoke quietly. “Thanks for coming.”
A smile broke free across my face, and I figured there were no words needed.
He opened the car door, and I hopped in while he ran around front.
