I need a favor.
ANGELO
What’s up, man?
ME
Table for two tomorrow night?
ANGELO
What time?
ME
8:30pm?
ANGELO
I’ll takecare of it.
ME
Thanks, man. You’re really helping me out.
ANGELO
She must be a special girl.
Angelo has beenmy friend since the first time he came in for an appointment with me. We worked on his left arm sleeve and talked about everything. He’s one of those guys who’s naturally easy to talk to. As you can see, he’s also highly intuitive. I don’t write anything back. Instead, I throw my phone onto the bed and turn to my closet.
Luck is on my side because not only can I get a reservation last minute, but I also happen to have a couple of suits for emergencies. It’s not like a lot of occasions to wear them drop into my lap. But you also never know. And it’s times like this that I thank my dad for the advice of having them on hand.
I pull out the black one, which is the newest. I had it made last year. My father also said the suits must be tailor-made, not off the rack. So that’s what I did with all of mine. I grab a navy blue shirt and black tie to go with it. I don’t know what color Lyric’s dress is, but this combination is magic, in that it will literally go with almost anything.
After hanging up my outfit in the bathroom, I lie down on my bed, legs hanging over the side. I’m exhausted. My first thought is that it sounds like a good time for a nap.
It’s not lost on me that my very next thought is wondering if Lyric would take one with me.
CHAPTER 25
LYRIC
This day has dragged on,and I know exactly why. If this is Waylon’s idea of keeping it casual, I fear we may need to sit down and discuss the parameters more thoroughly. Because a date where I have to wear a dress like this, well, I don’t think it qualifies.
I keep reminding myself that he said he just wants me to experience it, and he wants it to be with someone who’s not concerned with getting into my pants.Like a good friend would.
But about three seconds ago, I had a realization. I spend a lot of time wondering how Waylon feels, reminding myself what he’s said in the past. And I’ve been learning to accept people at face value.
I had a string of relationships some years ago, and I would constantly tell myself that they didn’t mean what they said, and that their actions proved they loved me. For example, I dated a drummer from this band I can’t even remember the name of.He used to tell me that he didn’t want a commitment, didn’t want to settle down, but then he was over at my place literally all the time.
When I began to believe he had a change of heart, I asked him to move in with me, and that’s when he reminded me about all the times he told me he would never do that. That’s when I told myself I would absolutely never read between any lines with a guy. If he says it, that’s what it is. And Waylon has said this is just sex and friendship.
And I think I finally made peace with that, because I had this wonderful moment of clarity where I just saw Waylon as my very good friend. It’s not like the romantic feelings go away, trust me. They’re still wreaking havoc on my nervous system. But I can set them aside and accept this reality. I can just enjoy tonight for exactly what it is.
I smooth the dress under my palms as I take a final look in the mirror. I tuck my clutch under my elbow and twist to look at my backside. Not too shabby.
This dress must’ve been purchased like six years ago now, but it still fits like a glove. I guess my body hasn’t changed much. Aside from when I tried it on in the store, I haven’t worn it. I didn’t even have a reason to buy it. It was just so pretty; I couldn’t leave it there.
