Chapter Six
Michelle
“Girl, you are gonna make that man crazy with lust.” Dani gives my selection a nod of appreciation.
“Well, they already had sex, so what’s the big deal?”
Dani and I turn our heads to stare at Stacy.
Yes, I told them about my evening with Xander. Along with this morning. Just thinking about him and what we shared makes my insides flutter. Some would say my school-girl reaction is ridiculous, but not me. It’s startling and exhilarating.
After having breakfast together where we both had a hand with the cooking and cleaning, we simply enjoyed one another’s company for an hour before he had to leave.
We talked, learning a bit more about each other.
When he mentioned his mom being in the area, a joyful smile graced his face even though he didn’t elaborate.
Nor did he say anything about his father.
Before I could prod further, the topic went elsewhere, like how neither of us would’ve thought we’d end up where we did.
Last night I certainly hadn’t planned to bring a man home and have sex with him, but I was so drawn to Xander.
He made me feel comfortable to just be me, and I’m looking forward to much more.
Stacy’s comment tells me she obviously doesn’t know the finer points of seduction. Not surprising, and terribly sad, due to her shitty marriage where romance didn’t exist.
Little does she know there’s a surprise Xander and I cooked up for tonight, and hopefully it doesn’t backfire.
Holly was unable to take advantage of going to the comedy show, so I convinced Stacy to join us.
Since the seats for Xander’s two tickets aren’t near the four I have, Stacy will be sitting with Rafe.
And do you think I told her that? No way.
I don’t expect her and Rafe to run off into the sunset together, but I do hope she’ll enjoy a nice evening with a handsome man who just so happens to be single.
“The big deal is,” Dani starts, “Michelle wants to keep Xander on his toes. Keep him interested by showing him there’s still more to discover about her.”
Stacy just rolls her eyes causing me to chuckle.
I turn back to the mirror, giving myself another inspection to ensure I made the right choice.
Since it’s the Fourth of July and hotter than Hades, I chose an airy summer dress in royal blue with spaghetti straps and a fitted bodice that has a built-in bra.
The hem dances above my knees and beneath it I’m wearing red silk panties.
Not that anyone other than me and Xander will know that detail.
To complete the outfit, I have shiny silver wedge sandals, a silver clutch with a wrist strap, and silver hoop earrings.
Dani styled my hair, giving it a nice wave instead of the usual sleek-straight look.
“Not too shabby,” I murmur to myself.
“Pfft,” Dani huffs. “You look amazing.” She steps to my side, catching my reflection so that our eyes meet. “It’s good to see you like this, and I hope Xander is worthy of you.”
I smile at my friend. Dani’s a curvy, robust woman who is also wearing a dress, but instead of being loose, it hugs her body like a second skin.
It has a white bodice and red skirt, and she’s tied a blue sash around her waist. Her feet are encased in blue heels that give her an additional five inches in height.
If I were to wear those shoes, I probably wouldn’t make it three steps, but Dani struts flawlessly in them as if they were simply an extension of her.
“I think he is,” I say.
She nods before we turn to Stacy who is sitting on my bed, absently toying with the hem of the skirt she’s wearing while staring out the window.
When she and Dani arrived at my place earlier, Stacy had on khaki capris, a red faded t-shirt, and blue sneakers.
Miraculously, Dani and I were able to convince her to allow us to spruce up her wardrobe by offering one of my dresses.
Since we’re the same size, the red sundress fits her perfectly.
It’s modest enough to suit her quiet, subdued personality, yet a cute deviation from her usual plain attire.
Flat sandals adorn her feet, and she even allowed Dani to style her blonde hair as well as apply subtle makeup.
With the outfit and her glasses on, I’ll admit she’s got a sexy librarian look going on.
I walk over to the bed and take Stacy’s hands, pulling her to her feet.
“Come here.” Leading her to the mirror, I stand between her and Dani, the three of us looking at one another in the reflection.
“Tonight is all about a good time. We look fabulous and we deserve a wonderful evening. It’s an independence celebration in more ways than one.
” I wink at Stacy when she meets my gaze, and I see her manage a smile.
“Okay, chicas, vamonos! I’m starving!” Dani breaks away and grabs her bag. “I’ll drive us to the bar and Dom will meet us there.”
Our plan is to head to The Dive Bar and listen to the band’s performance while enjoying yummy food. We’ll end up having a few hours afterward until it’s time for the comedy show. Following that, we’ll return to the beach to watch the fireworks display that’s scheduled to begin once it’s dark.
It’s a packed agenda.
I wrap my arm around Stacy, both of us chuckling as we walk toward the door. “I’m so glad you’re joining us. You might be the sane one in the bunch tonight.” I chuckle.
“Maybe I’ll surprise you.” She grins.
I draw back with an exaggerated surprised expression. “Ooo, I think I’d like to see that.”
We both laugh as we collect our purses and head out.
It takes longer than Dani accounted for to negotiate the holiday traffic, so by the time we arrive, we’re thirty minutes late and several blocks away from the bar.
My phone had buzzed with a message from Xander asking if everything was all right, so I’d given him a status update.
He replied with a thumbs-up emoji and see you soon.
Normally we wouldn’t have a problem with walking, but it’s practically a hundred degrees and we’re already melting.
We’ll be a sweaty, stinky mess by the time we get to the bar.
What little makeup I have on will be blotted away and no amount of hair spray Dani used on my waves will hold the style due to the humidity.
“Dios mio! This sucks!” Even in her heels she’s marching like a general toward battle. “The quicker we get there the quicker I can sit my plump rump down and have a frosty drink.”
I manage to keep up despite my wedges, and Stacy is clipping right along, not even breaking a sweat.
“You’re so lucky you don’t perspire,” I say to Stacy.
“You look just as fresh now as you did an hour ago.” She is one of those people who literally do not sweat.
She never wears deodorant because she never stinks.
Me, I buy the clinical strength antiperspirant-slash-deodorant and still struggle with it keeping up.
“Good thing I’ve got hygiene wipes in my purse you can use. Didn’t think they’d fit in that teeny clutch you’re using.” She grins before nodding to the article dangling from my wrist.
I chuckle. “Yeah, just the necessities. You know I hate using even this.” Usually if I can’t tuck it in a pocket, I don’t feel it’s needed.
My driver’s license and debit card slip nicely into my phone wallet which easily tucks into a pocket along with a tube of lip balm.
But since my dress has no pockets, there was the need for at least the clutch.
“Good thing you’re here, mom.” I tease. Stacy just hip-bumps me as we try to keep pace with Dani.
Within moments we arrive and walk into the bar. Dani scans the area, and we see her husband, Dom, standing, waving us over. As we get to the table, receiving hugs from the big teddy bear, I focus on Xander’s band already playing on the outdoor stage.
“I’m going to head outside and—”
“Yeah, we know,” Dani waves me on with a smile. “Go let lover boy know you’re here. I’m going to park myself in the AC for a bit and we’ll join you later.”
“Actually, I’ll come out with you, Michelle,” Stacy says.
I nod and we head outside, surprised to see a thinner crowd than I’d expected. As we spot a table, Vikki, the waitress, sidles up beside me.
“This way, ladies.”
She starts weaving around patrons while I exchange a curious glance at Stacy before following. I’m touched when she leads us to a table marked reserved. But the nicer surprise is an origami lotus and a bottle of peppermint oil on the table where Vikki pulls out one of the six chairs for me.
I laugh as I glance up at Xander then back to the waitress. “Thank you.” Taking the seat, I gently finger the delicate paper masterpiece before looking once again at the man who is quickly stealing my heart. A wide smile blooms on his face, and I can feel my mouth stretching to mimic it.
“So pretty,” Stacy says, leaning toward me to be heard. “And thoughtful. He’s got it just as bad as you do and that’s a good thing.” She pulls away smiling at me.
Vikki returns with waters and asks if we’d like something to eat or anything else to drink.
Stacy orders a soda with the cheeseburger meal, and I decide on the same.
We both skip out on the onions, because, kissing later.
At least for me. Besides, Stacy gets awful heartburn if she eats them, so she avoids them at all costs.