“It’s not a perfect life, not everything is sunshine and rainbows,” I murmur into her neck.
“Yes, I’m aware nothing’s perfect. I also know there’s more to you than fundraisers and charity brunches.”
“I'm not sure what's buried there anymore. For so long, I've been a bystander in my own life.” I stare at my reflection through the dirty, cracked mirror.
“We’ll discover it together.” She softly rubs my cheek.
ChaptEr 22
Natalie
Candace: Movie night tomorrow?
Nat: I’ll be there… cant wait to see you ;) Do we get to have a sleepover??
Candace: Only if you behave.
Nat: You like me better when I misbehave
Candace: See you at the meeting today :)
“What’s with the frown? I thought you were madly in love and shit,” Megan asks from across the couch.
“The Prez reminded me of the stupid meeting this afternoon. I swear to God these women would meet every fucking day if they could.”
“I’m going home this weekend for some R and R with the parentals. You wanna come with?”
“Can’t, I’m staying the night with Candace and the girls.” I flip between channels, trying to find something funny that’s not a cartoon.
Her face scrunches up as she leans over, stealing the remote. “Can I tell them you have a sugar mama twice your age?”
“No, I can tell them myself. We also haven’t defined anything, so slow your roll.”
“Slowmyroll? You’re the one who printed out wedding invites.”
I chuck the nearest pillow at her smug face. “No, I didn’t! That was a joke, God, you’re so annoying. Dad threatened to do a background check on the next person I bring home. Since the last one’s nose ring fell out in the meatloaf after doing a line in the bathroom.”
Megan rolls onto her side, hysterically laughing, recalling our nightmare dinner date from two years ago. “Oh my gosh, I forgot all about that girl. Man, she was gross. Twice, I caught her picking plaque off her teeth,andshe kept calling me Maggie. Candace is definitely an improvement.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t wanna scare her off with you guys. Go home, just don’t say anything just yet.” I bring my hands together like I’m praying.
“Ya, ya. Whatever you say,” she mumbles, turning on some international cooking show, giving me a reason to bounce.
The day drags on, but thank God it’s Friday. Educating the young minds of today is challenging when all they want to do is dish on popular gossip and reality TV. Truly, I’ve heard enough about the happenings in the Laguna Beach. These kids have nodirection if they aspire to be drunks passed out on a beach at noon. When it’s finally time for the PTA to gather and discuss paying for new laminators, I practically sprint to the office, stopping at the bathroom first to refresh my hair. I was in a hurry this morning,like I am every morning,and threw it up into a messy bun. I swear my hair weighs like five pounds, it’s so thick, and there’s a ton of it, so even when it’s up high, it’s practically a piece of art stealing the show.
The person I’ve been counting the hours to see is fixing her blue-collared shirt in the mirror when I walk in. Her top button is open on her chunky cream sweater, but it still leaveseverythingto the imagination, and has mine running wild wanting to play with what’s hiding underneath.
“Hi,” I whisper, softly kissing the sides of her neck. “You look pretty.”
“Hi to you too. We’ve got to be careful at school. Remember, we’re being discreet?” Quickly, she turns to the door, double-checking we’re alone.
“Iambeing discreet. You just taste so fucking good. Don’t make me stop,” I whine, running my hands down her back towards her backside.
“Don’t stop,” she breathes out, bringing her lips to mine, sparking electricity through my body. Our lips part, allowing our tongues to dive into each other.
“Oh no, I’m so sorry,” a soft voice echoes before the bathroom door shuts. I don't immediately recognize the voice, meaning it’s not Betty. Candace pushes me away, fixes the wrinkles in her silk grey skirt, and turns away, calling for Denise, the PTA secretary.
“Denise, it’s um…” Candace stutters, looking at me for backup.
