22
Ashlynn
Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap
O nce up and ready for the day, I head out for a nice long hike around Breckenridge. I haven’t heard from anyone today. I tried to text Neha to see if she wanted to come with me, since I know Nick left this morning to finish up some more videos with his sponsor. After hiking up into the mountains and finding a lake, I just sit and take in the beautiful surroundings of the White River National Forest.
After I hike back down to my truck and finally get cell service, I see missed texts from Neha and one from Anthony. I call Neha to see if she wants to meet me for lunch. Her phone just rings and rings. I give up and start to drive home.
Getting to our favorite little deli spot, I immediately see Neha at a table right by the big bay window. Once inside and sat down, I say, “Hey, how did your call go with your editor? Do they like the article?”
Taking a sip of her water and setting down her glass, she says, “Yes, they liked it a lot. They just need some photos. I haven’t been able to ask Anthony if he would be willing to send me some.”
“Oh, he texted me, letting me know they are safely on the road.”
“Well, then I guess I will text him later and ask.”
Once placing our orders, both of us get the same thing as always: turkey club on a croissant. Though, mine is without mayo, but adds avocado. Neha gets the mayo and asks for extra, which is disgusting! As soon as the waiter sets the plates down, we dig in. I am starving after my hike. Taking a bite, with her mouth full, Neha says, “Sorry I couldn’t go on your hike. I would have loved to–especially since it is starting to get cold now, and it has snowed a little.”
“Yeah, there was a decent amount of snow up there already. Speaking of snow, we should get in touch with Cora and try to go see her. It’s been too long; I miss our little gold medalist!”
Nodding her head in agreement, she says, “Let’s try to go see her in the new year, before you do your tour.”
That would be good to do a quick trip before my book signing and just relax with my two best friends. I always see Neha, obviously, but I haven’t seen Cora Hendrix for more than a year. She was away at the Olympics, taking the gold for the women’s snowboarding in park. I miss her. She and I go back further than Neha. Cora and I met in first grade and have stayed close ever since.
After lunch, Neha and I head to the coffee shop for a hot drink. I ordered my pumpkin spice chai tea again and also kept an eye out for the girl I ran into the other day on my way to Heath’s. Something about her has just stayed with me and I really can’t put my finger on it. Back at Neha’s, we both hang out under blankets and binge watch our favorite show, Shameless .
After about an hour of laughing from the show, Neha turns to me wide eyed. “Oh my god, I forgot to tell you. I nearly had a damn heart attack this morning at like 1:00 AM.” Turning to her, I ask, “What happened? You see your reflection in the mirror or your shadow from the streetlight that shines in your room?”
Busting out laughing, she says, “No, you smartass! I got up to get some water, and when I got down to the kitchen, Nick was standing there drinking water in nothing but freaking gray sweatpants–feet, chest, everything but his legs weren’t covered. My god, I wanted to let him put me up on that counter and just let him take me right then and there. He looked gorgeous. His hair was all over the place from sleeping, his green eyes were so bright, and the smile he gave me when he saw me–it was beautiful. I got the full dimples and everything. Ah, I can’t get enough of him.”
“So, I have to ask, what is so great about gray sweatpants? I have seen on Instagram that it’s gray sweatpants season.”
“Just buy Anthony a pair and make him wear them, and you will understand. What does he even sleep in, if not sweatpants or boxers?”
Smiling shyly and giving Neha the side eye, I say, “Anthony likes sleeping in the nude.”
Sighing, she says, “I would die if Nick slept in the nude, dear lord.”
All I can think to myself is this gray sweatpants thing must be a treat if people are doing a hashtag about it all over the place. “It’s a good thing you know about all this stuff, Neha, and keep me in the loop. I wouldn’t know about the fuck me pumps (FMP’s) if not for you. I just call those heels peep toes.”
“I agree–it is such a good thing you have me in your life for these things!”
After another hour of Shameless , we are all binge watched out. We decide to watch a suspense movie, Prisoners . Neha is beyond annoying with suspense movies, trying to figure it out instead of watching the damn movie! She finally goes quiet about 45 minutes in, with the movie holding her interest of the unraveling plot. I figure now is a good time to ask her a question. “So, you know I am going to Seattle to meet Anthony, right?”
Not taking her eyes off the movie, she just nods her head. “Yeah, he told me about a surprise he has set for you.”
Of course, he tells her what he has planned. “Well, I want to go shopping for something sexy to wear for him. You have a good eye for lingerie. So, I need you to come with me.”
This gets her attention; she whips her head in my direction. “Um, yeah, I will go with you. We can get you something super sexy with some thigh highs.” After talking a bit longer and finishing up the movie, Neha goes to bed, and I just crash in her guest room.
After heading home the next morning, I get ready to go down into Denver and do some lingerie shopping. I don’t know if I am overly picky, but nothing is catching my eye that I would want to wear for Anthony. After a while of looking, Neha walks up with a couple things. “Look at how sexy these are. This emerald one would look amazing and will look nice with your hazel eyes.”
I take that piece from her because it is cute, but there is only one problem. “Neha, the bra size is a D. I do not have that big of boobs like you. Are you sure you didn’t pick this out for yourself?”
“Sorry, yes, I grabbed that one for me, too; you know, for when Nick gets back! What size are you again?”
Sighing loudly, I say, “I am a 36 B, thanks for asking that loud enough for the whole store to hear!”
Smiling wide, she says, “Sorry, I thought you might be at least a C. they do have your size though. Anthony is going to lose his shit when he sees you in this! You know you are perfect the way you are, but–just curious–have you ever thought about implants?”
Oh my god, she is not seriously asking this in the fitting room. “Sometimes, yes, I have. However, I don’t want to deal with the pain. Plus, Anthony said mine are the perfect size for his hands to grab them.”
After we finish shopping and buy the emerald outfit, we head home. Once there, I start packing for my trip to Seattle, eager to see Anthony again. I send a quick text to him since I haven’t talked to him all day. Hopefully, I don’t wake him up. I want to tell him the words that he has tried saying to me twice already, but always stops himself. It is soon to say them, but they feel right. However, I know something like that needs to be said face to face, so I hold off and maybe I’ll surprise him with it at the airport!