"Love you, too," I tell her before I finish getting ready.
I pull out a dress I've had for a while but was saving. I think tonight’s the night to show it off. There’s not a ton of events in our small town that we go all out for, so I’m going to take advantage of this one.
It's a dusty rose. The top is a corset, fitting snugly enough that I don't need a bra. At the waist, the dress flares out with extra puffiness created by the tulle. It falls mid-thigh. It's cold out, but when you grow up here, you're used to it. We have snowyear-round. Plus, I'll be in and out of the car, so I know I won’t be cold.
I grab a pair of strappy, glittery red heels that match my lip stain. These heels contrast with the dress, making them stand out even more. I love the way they make my legs look. My final touch is a glittery vanilla cake body spray before I make my way over to Nevicare, the Italian restaurant in town, to meet the girls for dinner.
The girls exclaim, "Happy Birthday!" as I step into the private dining room area. I let out a small scream when I'm hit with a couple of confetti cannons. Pink confetti bursts all around me before raining down.
"Bet you weren't expecting that!" Katherine does a little dance in her celebration of actually surprising me. It might not have been the party, but mission accomplished.
"I wasn’t." I laugh with her before going around and giving all the girls hugs. I really have missed everyone. It's nice to hang out and have a few drinks with girl friends with a side of extra carbs. This is why I love this town. The closeness between everyone.
I try out a few different martinis throughout dinner. "Careful." Kindred knocks her shoulder into mine, a knowing glint in her eye. Yeah, there has been talk about me being in Pierce’s room. It's annoying but not the worst thing. If the local girls think he's mine, they'll stay away from him and his tattoos and thick thighs.
"I know I'll have a hangover. I spent the day hydrating."
"If you say so." She clinks her glass to mine. All through dinner, my mind drifts to Pierce. He was spotted outside the B&B twice today. The girls in the phone tree were quick to share a picture of him coming into the bakery dressed like a little ho.
His sweater fit him snugly, highlighting his thick physique in every way. I swear it looked as though it was custom-made for him. He’d tossed on jeans and boots. Pierce is built like agoddamn tank. It's no joke that I think he might be three times my size. At least he was covering up those tattoos. I press my thighs together thinking about them.
I hate how attracted I am to him. I'd even touched myself last night thinking about him, but it was very anticlimactic and left me frustrated. Fitting, because he is always frustrating me! He's done something to my body. He broke it, and I’m worried that it’s going to stay that way.
"What's happening?" Katherine whispers. "You got your 'I wish a motherfucker would' face on."
"I'm good, great even." I finish off my espresso martini. "Let's go listen to Kindred do bad karaoke."
"If it's not bad, then what's the point?" She says it definitively.
"This is true."
We slip out the back of the restaurant, saying bye to the cooks and thanking them. The Frosty Mug is close, and I get another cheer when I enter. The party will only grow as the night goes on.
"I thought people drink away their problems." I ask Katherine after the second round of karaoke. "Now, I think I'm seeing him."
"Are we talking about your crush that you're not crushing on?"
"Hey." I smack her arm.
"Hey! I'm a delicate flower." I rub the spot. “Here, take this.” Katherine gives me a shot. We click them together and drink down the candy apple shot.
“That’s sour.” I suck my cheeks in.
“Okay, so now should I tell you I see him too?” He’s really here?!?
“That ruggedly handsome jerkface is here?” I whisper, or I think I do.
“Handsome, you say?” I turn to see Pierce behind me. He towers over me, and again, I wonder if he’s even taller. I’m in heels tonight. This is bullshit.
“I wasn’t talking about you,” I lie. I glance around and see Brandon. "I was talking about Brandon." Crap, bad pick. His hair is styled better than my own, with a fresh clean shave, and he's wearing a pink sweater with flashing hearts. I wonder where he got it. I'll ask him tomorrow.
"His husband is the rugged one," Pierce responds. How does he know these things?
“What are you doing here?” I manage to get out.
“I wanted to wish you a happy birthday.”
“What is wrong with you?” I poke his chest with my finger. “We’re enemies,” I remind him.
