Fifteen minutes later, Hattie is there with the backup set of keys to let us out. Bells takes off as soon as the door opens, and I’m left moving boxes with Hattie. She looks at me quizzically, but I guess she can read my mood well enough to know I don’twant to talk. I don’t know what I’m feeling, and I don’t want to think about it right now.
FIFTEEN
Bells
Influencer day is finally over, everyone is on the train home, and we’re already getting so many notifications and followers that I have to turn off my notifications. The rest of the day went okay; things went wrong but it was nothing Tilly and I couldn’t fix. We made a good team, both of us putting out fires all day long. The one thing I was relieved about was they weren’t actual fires. Overall, the day was great. Once we were free from the closet, Tilly and I barely spoke. I had a feeling she was as confused as I was about ouralmostkiss. I knew she was coming around to liking me, but was she actually going to kiss me? My head is in shambles just thinking about it.
“Here, you have to wear this.” Lina was going through my closet to help me pick an outfit for tonight.
“This?!” I gasp. It’s a red lacy bodysuit with ruffled sleeves. It’s basically see-through, except for the bra’s padding. I’ve worn it out in the city on more than one occasion, but it feels a little scandalous for a small town.
“If you want to get Tilly’s attention, this is the way to do it.” She holds it up in front of me. My jaw drops open. I’ve never said anything about Tilly and me to her. “Oh please, you can deny it,but you two are so obvious. Just do us all a favor and get together already.”
“I don’t think she feels the same,” I admit.
“Then you’re as blind as she is. Of course, she feels the same. She’s been so angry for months because she doesn’t want to act on it. But I think she’s finally coming around.” Lina laughs.
“I assume you know we hooked up already?”
“Oh yeah, I think it’s hysterical because she used to be the queen of one-night stands, and since you, she hasn’t even been out,” Lina says.
“Really?”
“You really don’t see the way she looks at you?” Lina asks, raising an eyebrow.
“I don’t,” I admit.
“She cares for you. I don’t know if she’s ready to admit it, but she does. So wear this—maybe with some ripped jeans—and she won’t be able to take her eyes off you,” Lina says, giving me the bodysuit.
“Okay.”
I grab a pair of jeans from my dresser as Lina sits on the bed to do her makeup. She is already dressed, wearing this cute off-the-shoulder black floral top and a mini skirt. Her legs are covered in tattoos—some quotes, some art.
“You ever think about getting one?” Lina asks, catching me staring at her legs.
“Oh no. I’m terrified of blood and needles. I’d pass out on the table.” I shake my head.
“I love them. My ex was a tattoo artist in the city, so a lot of these I got for free,” she says.
I head into the bathroom to change and let my curls free from the wrap I have them in. I like my natural hair; it looks much better than when I attempt to tame my mane. Lina says she is going to do my makeup, so I head back to the bedroom and sitnext to her on the bed. She’s quiet as she applies different things to my face, and I try to relax. I don’t know why I am so nervous; I’ve been out with Lina, Hattie, and Tilly before. But this time Tilly knows I am going. Part of me is praying she notices me and doesn’t try going home with someone else like last time. Sure, that was months ago, but it still stings—right up until I see her look of terror.
“Okay, we’re ready to go!” Lina announces, and I look in the mirror.
“Damn! You made me look good.” I admire my curves and the fresh makeup. She knows what she’s doing.
We grab our shoes on the way out, and Hattie is driving us all. She has to relieve the babysitter later, so she offers to be our designated driver. I wonder if she ever gets a night off from being a mom; most of the time she acts like our mom too, making sure we don’t drink too much and we have water before going to bed. Tilly sits in the front with Hattie, so we slide in the back, not giving her a chance to see my outfit before we get there. But as we pull up to the bar, Tilly gets out and opens my door. I get out one foot at a time; with my luck and heels, I’ll end up falling on my face. Tilly’s jaw drops as she sees what I’m wearing. She struggles to pick up her jaw and take her eyes off my body. Oh, I am definitely going to have to thank Lina later.
“Beer?” Tilly asks when we go inside. Bill stops pouring a drink to gawk at me like a man. His jaw is on the floor, and I take great pleasure in that, especially considering how he usually ignores me.
“Yes, please.” The rest of us find a table as Tilly orders.
“Holy shit, I didn’t realize how good this would work! It’s amazing,” I whisper to Lina.
“Everyone has their eyes on you tonight. If you aren’t going home with Tills, you’re going home with someone,” she winks.
Tilly brings over our drinks and takes the empty seat next to me. Our hands brush together as I reach for the frosty bottle. Wetness drips down the side of the bottle, her hands warmer than mine. We both pull away shyly; then I reach for the bottle again and press it to my lips. I can feel her gaze on me, but I’m not giving her the satisfaction of looking. Three beers and a round of shots later, Lina and Tilly are talking me into dancing.
“Come on! We can line dance!” they say, like I’m supposed to know what that is.
