Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Cassie
“Rene, I swear I can’t try on one more thing, I’m just gonna call and cancel.”
Rene leaned against my bedroom doorframe, sipping the glass of wine she’d poured herself the second she walked in. “Oh no, you don’t. Dear girl, you’re going on this date, even if I have to drag you there in those hideous flannel pajama pants you have on.”
I groan and flop back onto the bed, arms spread wide. “Nothing looks right. Nothing feels right.”
“Stop it. Don’t be so negative. I’m getting a refill. I’ll be right back.”
I stare at the ceiling, frustrated that I don’t have anything to wear. Rene dances back into the room carrying the pink bakery box and a full glass of wine. She sits down and lifts the lid, peeking inside.
“These are everything!” Rene grins, pulling out one of the frosted, brightly decorated cookies. “The infamous phallic pastries. I can’t believe you were eating one of these bad boys when your man first saw you.”
“First of all, he’s not my man, he’s my date. Second, I was hungry, and Carla would’ve been offended if I hadn’t tried one.”
“They really are something,” she held a penis cookie in the air. “My ex, Giovanni, looked exactly like this.”
“You’re insane!” I laugh, covering my face. “I did something,” I flip over onto my stomach.
“Spill,” Rene nibbled on her cookie.
“I kissed him, Rene. I lost my mind and kissed him. It was the most amazing, mind-blowing kiss I’ve ever had. Actually, the kiss was better than sex.”
Rene smacked the cookie box shut, throwing a hand over her heart. “I am so proud of you.” She leaned over and high-fived me, then sat on the edge of the bed. “I don’t know your man, but I already like him. He’s bringing out the best in you.”
“He is nice,” I sigh, looking at the explosion of clothes littering my bedroom. “Maybe I should go to the mall and buy something.”
“Please,” Rene scoffed, standing up. “You’ve got options. You have me.” She grins. “I’ll be right back.
Before I can protest, she’s out the door and clattering down the hall to her apartment two floors below.
Within minutes, she’s back, waving a garment bag in the air. With a dramatic flourish, she unzips it and pulls out a sleek, floral dress. It has a fitted bodice, a princess neckline, and far less fabric than I was mentally prepared for.
I blink. “I’ve seen face cloths bigger than that.”
“Do you trust me?” Rene folds her arms across her chest.
“Of course I do. But I don’t have a great figure like you.”
“You’re wrong, sweetie,” she says with a sly smile, “your figure’s much better. I’m telling you, the minute he sees you in this? That man will do anything you want him to. And after that kiss you two shared this morning, I have a feeling you’re going to want him to do more than kiss you.”
“Rene—”
“Uh-uh.” She shoves the dress into my arms. “Go put this on. And please, please, please let me do your makeup.”
“Fine,” I slip into the bathroom, muttering under my breath. When I emerge, I head right for the mirror and hardly recognized myself.
Rene clasps her hands dramatically. “He. Is. Going. To. Drop. At. Your. Feet.”
I turned from side to side, smoothing my hands down the soft fabric. “Do you really think so?”
“I know so. Now sit down so I can work my magic,” Rene squeezes my arm. “And let’s hope your man is built like those cookies.”
I laugh until my sides ache. Then I take a deep breath, releasing my fears, and let Rene work her magic.