“Can’t. It’s Friday night. Keely and I always order pizza on Friday night.”
I look at her, giving her my best sad eyes. “Can I come over too? I’ll bring the pizza.”
“You can come over, but the pizza is on us.”
I give her my best smile. “Sweet. What time?”
“Seven.”
“I’ll be there.” With fucking bells on.
At six forty-five, I pull up to Lainie’s apartment complex. Turning off my bike, I throw my leg over the seat, stow my helmet and grab the grocery bag that holds a bottle of white wine, a six-pack of Bud, and a small bouquet of flowers. I look down at my shirt and fuss with it until it looks less wrinkled. “Shit. I’m officially a pussy.” I laugh out loud because it’s funny and because I don’t care if I’m officially a pussy. I’ve never been happier in my life. Up the steps to apartment 3D, I knock and wait. In seconds, the door is flung open by Keely.
With a slightly slurred voice she says, “Well, hello there, big guy.”
“Hi?”
“Come on in, handsome,” she giggles. “Let me take the flowers.”
I step inside and scan the tiny space. When my eyes reach the living area, I spy more women. Three more. All of them resemble Lainie in some way or another. None of them hold a candle to her, but they’re okay-looking. They’re all staring at me and it’s unnerving. I look down at the coffee table and see several open wine bottles. I know how to get the focus off me. Holding up the grocery bag, I say, “I brought wine.”
“Awesome!” says one of them. A tall Palmer woman stands up and takes the bag from me. Pointing to somewhere behind me, she says, “Lainie’s in her room.”
Without another word, I turn on my heel I move in the direction she pointed, I say, “Lainie?”
“Back here,” she yells from somewhere further into the apartment.
I walk down the hall slowly, listening for clues as to the whereabouts of my woman. Passing a bedroom, I see her standing near what I assume is her closet. “Hey?” I say as I enter. Shutting the door behind me, I step up to her and wrap my arms around her. My nose is in her hair. God, she smells so damn good, like a summer’s breeze. Inhaling her scent, I press in until I’m completely against her. “There’s a whole lot of women out there.”
Giggling, Lainie turns in my arms. “Surprised? Those are my sisters. I sent Keely a text letting her know you were coming. She must have called them all. Is that okay?”
“I’ve no problem with it if you promise to hold my hand.”
She giggles. “Scared of my siblings, are you?”
“Hell yes. I have a feeling if I don’t pass muster, you’re going to dump my ass.”
She laughs again. “They’re going to love you.”
“Like you do?” Jesus. That’s something a love-sick pussy would say. Guilty.
“Keeton, I’m not…”
“Shh, it’s okay. I shouldn’t have put you on the spot like that.” I kiss her neck because she smells so good right there and she likes it. The little moan she releases is all I need. “Okay?”
“I think you’ll like them.”
“I’m sure I will.” I kiss her below her left ear again, whispering, “You’re the prettiest one.” I put my mouth on her ear lobe to nibble and suck.
“Oh, no you don’t.” She pulls out of my arms. “You can’t do that to me. I have company and the walls here are like tissue paper. Stand down, sexy man.”
I laugh and lean in for a kiss. “Just one kiss?”
With her pretty brow arched, she says, “Just one?”
“For now.” I lean in and take her mouth. My hands are all over her in seconds flat. I want her so badly, but I do my best to keep things PG.
Pulling out of my arms, she takes my hand in hers. “Come on. Let me introduce you to the Palmer sisters.” She turns, “Some of whom may have over-imbibed.”
“I met one of those.”
“Agatha?”
“Keely.”
“Oh, I think Agatha is too. She’s going through a rough patch. Ordinarily, she’s quite reserved. So, you get to see her in one of her rare drunk moments.”
“Awesome.”
Lainie laughs and pulls me out of her bedroom by my hand.
