Cali:Sure.
Jaeger:I’m taking you to Tao.Plan accordingly.I’ll pick you up at 5.I have something I want to show you.
Immediately, my mind wanders into naughty territory.But he wouldn’t planthatand then expect me to be presentable, would he?Tao is the best restaurant in town.
What to wear?I pick up my sketch and pad barefoot back into the house.It’s quiet for once.Both Gen and Tyler left early for various reasons.
Shoving the hangers around in my closet, I find nothing that won’t embarrass me in a nice restaurant.I have a couple of hours to spare before my date with Jaeger.I’ll swing by the local shops and see if I can find a new top on my limited budget.
My financial reserves are dwindling, but I don’t have a fifty-thousand-dollar annual tuition fee to worry about anymore.I’ll need a job to pay for living expenses and the classes I signed up for, but I’m optimistic that won’t be a problem with my work experience from Blue.
Later that night, I slip on heels, black pants, and a short-sleeved, light blue blouse with a crisscross back that I found on sale at my favorite boutique.The color offsets my hair and highlights my eyes, and the front dips low.It also shows a respectable amount of cleavage, except I’m wearing a push-up bra, so the effect is just shy of obscene.I feel a slight twinge at spending money when I don’t have a job, but now that I have a plan, I’ll start looking for work straight away.
I walk into the living room, where Gen and Tyler are fighting over the remote.
“You’re here rent-free!”Gen says.“You don’t get control of the remote too.”
“We’re not watchingWhat Would William Pelt Do?I might as well de-ball myself right here.”
Gen lifts a finger, her eyes closed.“A—that’s gross.B—William Pelt is a hockey player.He’s anathlete.You love sports!”
Tyler looks to me in exhaustion.
“Leave me out of this,” I say.“Gen, if he doesn’t let you watch the show, we’ll Netflix it later.William Pelt is hawt.”Not as hot as Jaeger, but then again, no one is.
“Tyler,” Gen singsongs, “if you let me watch this, I’ll make you popcorn.”
His hand darts out and he tickles her under the arm.She screams, and he grabs the remote while she’s disabled.“Dude, you’re gonna have to offer more than popcorn to get this back.”
Gen glares at him, rubbing her armpit.Tyler’s tickles hurt like hell.He burrows deep.“You have the mental maturity of a sixteen-year-old.How do your students take you seriously?”
“I’ve got skills to pay the bills,” he says, and flips through channels.
“I take that back.You’re, like, ten, because I haven’t heard that juvenile statement since fifth grade.”Gen sighs and checks the time on the wall impatiently.A new episode must begin soon.“Fine, I’ll do a load of laundry.”Tyler keeps flipping.“Two loads?”Her face brightens and she crosses her arms.“I’ll set you up with one of the cocktail waitresses at Blue.”
Tyler stops channel surfing and eyeballs her.I grab my purse and steal a twenty from his wallet when he’s not looking.He wouldn’t want me stranded without cash.I’m doing him a favor by planning ahead.“Keep talking,” he says.
“One of the pretty ones.”Her expression is all innocence in a way only Genevieve can pull off, but I know better.She may not have gotten straight A’s in school like Tyler and me, but that girl has street smarts.
All the exceptionally pretty waitresses at Blue are as dumb as rocks—not that pretty girls are necessarily mentally hindered.Gen is an example of gorgeous and intelligent mixed in one, but in the case of the other Blue waitresses, the stereotype holds true.
“Done,” he says, and hands her the remote.She does a victory dance on the couch, complete with bouncing and fist pumping.Tyler stares at her chest, his rapt expression indicating the victory dance alone was worth the sacrifice.Gross.
A knock sounds at the door.My heart speeds up.“Okay, kids, I’m off.”I lunge for the knob.I’m not ashamed of Jaeger or our relationship.I’d just rather not face “the parents” on the couch.
Too late.
“And when will you be home?”Tyler asks, his domestic debate forgotten.I glance back and he’s scrutinizing me.He eyes my cleavage and frowns.
“If I’m lucky, not till tomorrow.Toodle-oo!”I pinky-wave and open the door.Stepping out, I bump into a confused Jaeger and yank the door shut.I slump against the surface.“Don’t go in there.It’s dangerous.”
He chuckles.“Okay.”He grabs my hand and leans down, kissing me softly on the lips.My belly flutters just from that one delicate touch.His gaze dips to my top, catching appreciatively on my chest.He looks at the rest of my outfit and smiles.“You look beautiful.”
Mission accomplished with the new top.I knew the expense would be worth it.
Jaeger’s wearing a button-down green shirt that brings out the green in his eyes.He looks edible, and smells it too.I wrap my arms around his waist and hug him tight.“I missed you.”
His face dips to the top of my head and he breathes in through my hair.“Same here.”After a moment, he loosens his hold.“Come on.I’ve got something to show you.”Excitement and a bit of shyness play on his face.He’s often quiet, but I’ve never seen him nervous.
