“Sorry. Looks like someone needs to hit the gym. Unfit, much?”
“Don’t you start. Spike is always nagging me about keeping fit. Whose side are you on?” she retorts sharply, now with her hands on her hips.
“Hey, merely making a statement.”
Her face turns curious. “What’cha got there? Had a little retail therapy?” She tries to peek in one of the bags. “Arianna Fraser, are you a bloody millionaire and just haven’t told me yet, or did Denham give you his AMEX? Because there is no way your average person could afford to even look in the direction of the Chique Boutique on the Strip, let alone shop there. Yet here youare with no less than …” she pauses while she counts, “… FIVE bags, full to the top! Spill it …”
A grin spreads across my face. “I have a job!” I say excitedly.
“Doing what? Are you the new CEO of a multibillion dollar company?” she quips.
“No, silly. At Chique. I’m their new assistant buyer.”
“You’re fucking kidding me! Ari, that’s awesome!” She launches herself at me in true Lottie fashion, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck so I can hardly breathe. I’m pretty sure that if she could wrap her legs around me like a baby chimp she would.
“You know what this means? It means you’re sticking around! And how much discount do you get to give your closest, bestest friend?” Her grin stretches the whole width of her face and her eyes are wide like a child’s at Christmas. “Let’s go celebrate!” Lottie chirps. “We need champagne, lots of it!”
“Whoa there, just a minute. I’m not rich, so let’s not go spending my money before I’ve earned it.”
“Arianna, I love you, but stop being so fucking sensible. Live a little. You have a millionaire boyfriend who will gladly fill us up with champagne because he will quite possibly be more happy about you staying than I am.”
“He is not my boyfriend.”
“No? Well, what is he then because I sure as hell know that he’s something. I’ve never seen him so rapt. And you, missy, your eyes are starting to show that twinkling light again.” Nothing gets past her. “So, what is it? Boyfriend? More?” she asks impatiently.
“I don’t know, Lottie,” I snap. I don’t mean to bite the words out, but I’m not used to all this dating business. How many dates before you’re a couple? Is he my boyfriend? Just a friend? “I don’t have an answer for you…hell, I don’t even have an answer for myself,” I mumble.
“Ari, stop negating everything. Positive things do happen, and you have to learn to let them.” She rubs her hand up and down my arm and I nod in acknowledgement to her words.Easier said than done.I know she’s right. I want to look ahead, but I’m afraid of disappointment if I look too far.
“You need a damn good night out, girl. The three D’s.” She winks.
“Drinks, Dancing, and Denham.” She waggles her brows. “And I’m thinking in that order. Just so you know, I’ll only be doing the drinking and dancing with you. You candoDenham on your own.” She smirks, pointing a finger at me.
“Lottie!” I say, shocked at her directness, but I know I shouldn’t be, she always speaks her mind and it’s part of why I love her.
“What? And why are your cheeks flushed? Have you…did you do it already?” she blurts.
“No!” I squeal. I turn and start to walk back toward the hotel. Sex has not really been something I’m comfortable doing, let alone talking about. It’s never been a great experience, and certainly not all hearts, flowers and orgasms like everyone makes it out to be.
Lottie is hot on my heels and fishing for information. “Come on, Ari, give me some info. I know you haven’t slept on your own for the last two nights. Did you guys even kiss yet?”
“How do you know that I haven’t slept alone?”
“Duh, my boyfriend is Denham’s brother. When he couldn’t get hold of him at his place, he asked why. It’s nothing more sinister than that. So, you cleverly avoided my question. Did you kiss yet?”
I sigh—inwardly and audibly. I want to tell her everything.
Howhe kissed me and ruined me for anyone else.
Howhis nearly naked body has been wrapped around me for the last few nights.
Howmy body went into overdrive when he pressed my hand to his crotch.
HowI want him so badly that my whole damn body hums whenever I think about him.
“Girl, that faraway look tells me you need to get laid.”
“Lottie, not everything is about sex, you know.”
