My thoughts are interrupted when I see my best friend running straight for me. She throws her arms around my neck and pulls me into a powerful hug. Excitedly, she squeals in my ear, “Oh. My. God. That washim, Mac. That was the three o’clock guy! How did you get him to kiss you?”
I wrap my arms around her and squeal right back. “I don’t know. I was just standing here, minding my own business, and he walked up to me, slid his hands into my hair, and kissed me.” I sigh, thinking about the kiss again.
“How was it? Was he a good kisser? Was there tongue? Did you kiss him back? Spill,” she shouts, hopping up and down on her five-inch torture devices, er, I mean heels.
“He was an amazing kisser. The best kiss I’ve ever had,” I say breathlessly.
“What was his name? Did you get his number?”
Jeez, so many questions. “Uh, no. I didn’t actually speak.”
“Well, I saw him talk to you, what did he say?”
“He just said, ‘Happy New Year, beautiful,’ in the richest, sexiest voice I’ve ever heard.” Goose bumps break out on my arms as I recount his whispered words.
“Oh. My. God. Really? But, wait, that’s it? Nothing else? Not ‘Hey babe, what’s your name’?” Lauren says, trying to sound like a guy. Fail.
“Nope, nothing like that,” I say sadly.
Lauren and I are so enthralled with our little conversation, we don’t notice Frederick approach. He grips my arm painfully. “What the hell, Mallory? Who was that guy?”
Mallory? “MacKenzie,” I correct him.
“Huh?” he asks, looking stupid.
“My name. It’s MacKenzie.”
“I know.”
“No, you called me Mallory.”
He sighs, frustrated. He leans in close to me. “I don’t really care what your name is; you embarrassed me in front of my friends. You some kind of slut or something?”
I gasp as I jam my fists on my hips. “No! I’m not a slut, you big jerk!”
My so-called date looks at his cousin, then at me. “Whatever. This is bullshit. You could have stopped him. Now my buddies over there are never gonna let me live this down,” he says, stomping back over to his group of idiots.
Like I care. “I’m sorry, Francis,” I say, loud enough for his friends to hear. He turns and gives me a hate-filled stare.
“Frederick. His name is Frederick, and you know it,” says Lauren with a giggle.
“Oh, I know. He called me Mallory. I needed to retaliate.” I sigh. “I’m too old for this shit,” I mutter.
“Too old for what shit?” Lauren asks, interrupting my private moment.
“You know… your cousin and my lame pursuit of love and happiness. It’s pathetic and pointless.”
“Now, now. Don’t stop your love pursuit based on the words of my idiot cousin. He’s an embarrassment to the Jacobs family name. Everyone thinks so.”
“Thenwhydid you set me up with him? I thought you were my friend,” I whine like a little bitch.
“Iamyour friend. He’s an embarrassment, but he’s notthatbad. His family has just given up any hope that he’ll get married or even find a girl who’ll put up with him. So, I was doinghima favor.”
“So, you’re telling me you set me up with him to helphim? Youstuckme with him forhim?” My voice is getting higher and higher as she does her best to work herself out of this mess.
“Look. I thought you’d have fun. You needed a date. He needed a date.”
“God, you’re such a bitch.” But, damn, I still love her.
