The bubble bath set was a thoughtful gift, as well. Once Gray’s delicious cooking filled my belly, I grabbed one of the books given to me by Wes and relaxed in a bubble bath provided by Arch, ready to recharge and hit the books again the next day.
Todd was a jealous mess throughout our finals. Rick was still in the middle of a nasty audit at his accounting firm and couldn’t give much support. I mentioned it to Arch in passing. After that, my gifts and food often included enough for two. I had a sneaking suspicion Todd also began to get deliveries of his own books and bubble baths. With a little pressing, he admitted he was also on the receiving end of their generosity.
Finally, gloriously, my finals weeks concluded. The first two weeks of December disappeared, and I had four weeks to spend time with my new friends, Todd and Rick, and search for any angle I could to help me win my company.
We celebrated the end of the dreaded tests by going out. Friday afternoon, I got a text from Wes as I left the last exam of the semester.
Wes: Are you finished yet?
I couldn’t contain my excitement, even in a text.
Ellie: I’M ALL DONE!
Wes: Excellent! We want to take you out to celebrate. Dancing?
If only he knew.
Ellie: Absolutely. What time?
Wes: We’ll pick you up at six. Bring Todd and Rick.
Immediately, I relayed the information to Todd, and his excitement level matched mine. We made plans to get ready before the guys arrived. Rick would roll his eyes, as he did when we danced, but secretly he loved to watch Todd in his element.
I got home late in the morning and took a leisurely nap. I crawled under the covers and succumbed to blissful sleep.
What seemed like moments later, I felt a continuous nudge against my side, and my eyes opened, blinking rapidly as they adjusted to the light. Todd stood above me, hand on his hip and frowned pointedly at his watch. Time to get ready.
“Giving you the key to this apartment was the best idea I ever had,” I said. “I don’t have to wake up to a jarring doorbell or alarm. I just wait for you to come in.” I stretched and smiled appreciatively. “You spoil me.”
He rolled his eyes. “I adore you, of course I spoil you. Now, get your lazy ass up, and take a shower.”
“Yes, sir!” I did as directed and hopped in the shower. By then, I was aware of what sort of soaps, lotions, conditioners, and exfoliators I should use. He didn’t have to give many directions.
I was about done shaving my legs when Todd strolled in the bathroom. “You’re taking forever.”
“Sorrrrry,” I said, voice dripping sarcasm. “We’ve got an hour and a half.”
“I still have to get ready, too. I’m looking forward to a date night with Rick!” I couldn’t see him standing outside the shower, but I could tell by the sound of his voice he was preening.
“You still have to give me at least one dance. We’ll show them what we can do,” I said.
“Of course!” The sounds of little pots and creams being moved around filled the bathroom as he rustled around in my makeup. “I’m going to make you ultra-sexy tonight. Those boys will be falling all over themselves.”
I rinsed my legs. “Stay on this side of sexy, and notthatside—slutty.”
Todd let out a maniacal laugh. “Whatever you say, my pet.”
As I turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, Todd held open a warmed, oversized towel. I took a moment to luxuriate in the heat as it wrapped around me. “This is wonderful!”
“It’s not to spoil you, let me assure you. The warm towel will keep your pores open. When you apply this lotion, it’ll absorb all the better.” He put a bottle of scented cream in my hand and waltzed out of the bathroom.
“Love you, too!” I called out behind him.
I hated it when he was right. When I finished, my skin was like velvet. As I entered my bedroom in my robe, I wasn’t prepared for the gorgeous blue dress hanging from one of my curtain rods. “Todd!” I gasped. “Where’d it come from?”
“I shopped while you were taking your power nap.” His unexpected voice behind me made me jump. He was in my closet, doing…whatever Todd did in the closet. He kept enough clothes for me in there to keep him busy for a week.
Reminding myself it wouldn’t look good to the judge if I killed my best friend, no matter how justifiable, I took a deep breath and stated firmly, “Ok. That’s it. Tomorrow afternoon, we’re boxing up a ton of those clothes and donating them.”
