I trudged out of the closet, still wearing it. “What’s wrong with this? It’s my favorite! It has pockets!” I shoved my hands into the pockets of my cotton dress and started to twirl from side to side a little.
“You look like Barney the stupid dinosaur’s tranny cousin.”
“Ouch!” I clutched my chest. “I think you literally pierced my heart with that one.”
“Change into something sexy! This is your first date in God knows how long—show a little cleavage for crying out loud!”
I threw my hands in the air. “You know what, why don’t you pick something out. I’m going to do my makeup.”
“Challenge accepted.” Martha marched into my closet and within twenty minutes, I was dolled up and dressed to kill.
Checking myself out in the mirror, I smiled over at Martha. “Ok, when you’re right, you’re right.” My ass looked fantastic in the skintight black dress Martha had dug out from the back of my closet. “I didn’t even remember I had this thing.”
Martha started to chuckle, waving price tags in the air. “Oh, I have no doubt about that.” She started to take her teal pumps off. “Here.” She bent down to pick them up. “Wear my lucky pumps. A pop of color is just what you need for a little bit of a wow factor.”
I reluctantly took the heels from her. “Are you sure? You love these shoes.”
“Yes, I love them, but they haven’t seen any action in far too long. They deserve to be taken out on a date for once in their life.”
I pulled her in for a hug. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” Martha hopped up onto the counter in my bathroom. “Are you nervous?”
I didn’t want to admit it, but I took a deep breath and was honest. “I am so fucking nervous. I don’t know how to date someone new. I was with James for so long. It feels so right with Brayden and we get along so well, but what if he realizes that he doesn’t like me after all?”
Martha grabbed my hand, pulling me in for a hug. “He’s going to love you. How could he not? He already said he wanted to date you and take things slow, doesn’t that say something?”
I huffed, “That I am an ugly troll that he couldn’t get his dick up for.”
Martha shoved me away trying to keep a straight face. “You’re an idiot. You’re hot as hell. Now get your ass to the restaurant, you don’t want to keep him waiting.”
* * *
Walking into the quaint restaurant, I was greeted by Brayden’s gorgeous toothy grin. He pulled me close, kissing my cheek. “Hey, beautiful.” His eyes even smiled as he looked down at me. “Every time I see you, you’re more stunning than the last. How is that even possible?”
I shoved his shoulder. “Laying it on thick there, Cox. Better watch it, you’re the one who said we have to date before sleeping together.”
The host showed us to our table.
“This is a neat spot,” Brayden stated while eyeing the small restaurant.
“I wanted this to be a memorable night, and you said I had to pick the place, so here we are.”
He reached over, lacing our fingers together. “Nicely done.”
The server came over quickly, filling up our water glasses and asking, “May I start you off with some cocktails this evening?”
I glanced over at Brayden. “Are you picky when it comes to drinks?”
He shrugged. “I’ll try anything.”
“I will have a lychee reach rich and he will have a lemonie anne. Thanks.”
“Great choices. I’ll get those started for you and will be back to take your order in a few. Any questions, my name is Marc.”
We sat in silence, looking over the menu for a couple minutes before Brayden looked up at me. “So, what’s good here?”
I loved that he was willing to try something new, but the apprehension and confusion on his face made me giggle a little.
