Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
mia
Callie introduces me to three of her favorite bars, and we have a cocktail in each. What a turnaround. This is so fun. Why haven’t I done a pub crawl back home? Oh, right. I was either too broke or too busy studying or working.
I trip my way to the fourth bar when the alcohol turns into a truth serum.
“Cal, Cal, Cal,” I yell. Then I shush her when she turns her attention from the map on her phone to me. She smiles showing off her big white teeth, and I stumble back. I shush her teeth now. “I got a secret. I can’t tell you. And you can’t tell anyone.”
She laughs, and I pinch her lips together since she clearly doesn't understand the meaning of “shush”.
Callie pulls my hand away from her face, loops her arm with mine and nudges me into walking again. “Turn left here, then start talking. I won’t tell a soul. Promise.”
“It’s more like a plan, really. But it’s a secret too. Oh. Oooh. It’s a secret plan!”
She’s doing something funny with her lips, twisting them together. I can’t quite figure it out; she’s a bit blurry in the dark. But I bet she’s amazed. I’m amazed.
It’s. A. Secret. Plan. Wow.
“Hm-hum. Go on,” she prompts.
I look around to make sure no curious pedestrians can overhear, then I lean harder onto her. Oh, good. I’m not the only one tripping. New York pavement could use some work.
I whisper into her hair. “In the next few months, I’m going to turn into…” I pause and stumble in front of her for added effect, then accidentally scream the next words, nose to nose: “A SEX GODDESS.” What are my arms doing in the air?
The world around us stops. Or the people do. I’m not a hundred percent sure. My throat feels too dry, and suddenly I’m gagging, the passion fruit from that Pornstar Martini trying to make a comeback.
“Okay, babes,” Callie says, dismissing my mega reveal. I’d be taking more offense if I wasn’t too busy keeping my booze down. “Can you make another 400 ft, or do you need a pit stop?”
“What? I’m fine.” I wave a hand in the air and strut—hopefully—in the direction of the bar we were heading. Callie hurries to follow and links her arm through mine again. I silently celebrate being right, but mostly, the steadiness her arm gives me.
We arrive at a rooftop bar, and the breathtaking view of the Empire State Building sobers me up.
That and the slice of bread soaked in olive oil she force-feeds me.
Next, the sexy as hell bartender sets a jug of iced water in front of me as per Callie’s orders, and I sip it slowly while I welcome my sanity finding its way back into my body.
The lumberjack-looking server proceeds to flirt with Callie, and I’m beyond grateful for the distraction from my embarrassment. Boy, I hope it’s enough for her to never mention my drunk confession again.
What the hell was I thinking?
Not that it’s embarrassing… Except it is. It’s mortifying. Some things should remain private, and I’m taking this one to the grave.
Needing a distraction, I watch as the bartender ignores all other patrons and hangs on to every word Callie says. God, they make it look so easy. The small talk, the hooded glances, the little stolen touches.
Callie is my new hero. While April is the typical girl-next-door, Callie is a big girl too.
But she’s not awkward-big like me. She could easily be a doctor by day and a plus-size supermodel by night.
Men have been falling at her feet all night.
Callie’s the full package—a siren. It’s impossible not to be drawn to her.
The humor. The brains. The heat. Off the fucking charts.
The girl who self-proclaimed herself as my new bestie on our first toast three bars ago has generous, hourglass curves that would send even an F1 driver spinning.
Callie is hot and proud. I’m wearing two layers of shaping underwear and trying to fade into the background.
I straighten without meaning to, squaring my shoulders to match hers. Trying on a braver version of myself. It doesn’t quite fit, but it feels nice. If she’s willing to teach me her ways, I’ll add that to my plan too.
When a customer almost breaks his tumbler on the counter trying to get the bartender's attention, the lumberjack gets Callie’s phone, calls himself and tells her he’ll be calling tomorrow.
A testament to her working memory, Cal picks up our conversation exactly where we dropped off.
She turns on her stool toward me and asks, “And how exactly does one become a sex goddess in just a matter of months? Gotta say, I love the ambition. I dedicated years of my life to that,” she says, throwing her head back and laughing.
“Lots of swiping right? Or the old-fashion way? Hey, I’m ready to be your wingwoman. We can start right now.”
She scans the crowd. “How about that one?” She raises her chin in the direction of a young man.
Slim, tall, nice dark hair, in a business suit.
He’s probably attractive, but the package is doing nothing for me.
The guy stares back at us—well, probably at Callie—while we inspect him like a piece of meat, and my cheeks go up in flames.
I turn my back to him at the speed of light, while Callie is already describing and casually pointing to a man on my left.
I lower her hand and stop her menu selection.
“Callie, don’t.”
“Mia,” she scolds. “If you’re aiming for a performance level that high, you got to put yourself out there. And you need to start ASAP. Kegel exercises as we speak, and a hot date on your first night out.”
“That’s not what I have in mind,” I grunt.
“Oh, right, you have a plan. Do share.”
“Not here,” I stall. Or anywhere. Ever. “I was too tipsy before. I’m sorry. It’s a silly idea I had, one I’m not ready to tell anyone. It’s very personal.”
“Babes. You can tell me anything. I’ll help you achieve your dream. You have a New York bestie now, remember?”
The smile sticks. Because she means it.
Doesn’t matter that we’ve known each other for less than twenty-four hours. Callie’s intense, all in, and I’m all too happy to be swept away by her hurricane.
And it feels really good to ditch my old friend—loneliness.
Realizing this is not the place to have this conversation, I reply, “I’m not discussing something that personal in a crowded bar, Callie.”
“Fine,” she says, unlocking her phone and ordering an Uber.
“That’s not what I meant.”
She arches a pair of unimpressed brows and asks for the check. Sexy Lumberjack says it’s on the house and sends Callie off with a bottle of chilled, top-shelf champagne. Mate is trying hard to impress.
Cal tries to get me to spill it in the car, but, lucky me, I don’t have to stall or shush her this time. At the words ‘sex goddess,’ the driver’s head snaps around with a sharp crack, and she goes quiet. Well, quietly giggling.
I thought Callie would drop me off at Dr. Preston’s house and head home, but she followed me inside and is now pouring two flutes of champagne. The fun part of the night is over, and I don’t see a way out of the interrogation that’s coming.
“You’re not going to drop this, are you?” I ask before plopping down on the couch. I accept defeat and the drink as she sits too close to me and gives me the cheekiest smile.
“You started, now you finish. What’s the secret plan no one can hear about? No one but me, obviously.”
“Shhhh. Dr. Preston must be sleeping. Keep your voice down, woman.” I slap both hands over her mouth.
She peels them off immediately. “Oh please, the rule is clear. We only call him doctor at the hospital. And don’t try to change the subject. Let the cat out of the bag.”
I gulp down the bubbles for liquid courage. Where do I even start?
“If you’re not letting this go, you have to promise me a few things. First, no judging.”
She gasps, leaning back against the pillows. “I take offense to that. I’d never judge.” Her hand hovers over the top of her head. “Lots of glass houses over here, babes. Go on.”
“Second.” I look her dead in the eyes. “Callie. I’m serious, no one can know. Not even April. Are you sure you can keep this between us?”
“Cross my heart and hope to die. You have no idea the kind of dirt I have on April and Preston, and they are oblivious to it. Comes with being in a trio. Trust me, Mia. And girl, tell me already because my imagination is running wild, and it’s getting scary in there.”
“That’s good. Maybe my plan won’t sound as bad if you’re imagining worse.”
“Is it illegal?”
“In some states.”
“Uhhh. Color me intrigued. Do you need an alibi?”
I nearly topple over laughing. “No, but brownie points to you for offering.”
“Told you. Besties.” She winks and then moans, jumping straight into begging mode. “Ple-eeease end this torture and tell me already.”
“My sex life so far has been… lacking.”
“As in… you’re a virgin?” Callie’s eyes flare wide before she can hide it.
“No.” I snort and refill my glass. “As in lacking fun, enthusiasm,” I lower my head, awkward and a bit embarrassed, “lacking real orgasms too. My sex life so far has been boring. God, that’s even sadder when I say it out loud.
” Another bubble-filled flute goes down like a shot. “And I want to change that.”
“I’ve got you. Which dating apps do you have?” The wingwoman in her takes over, eyes now shining with the plans she’s coming up with. “Have you changed your location yet? Oh, there are some really good ones here, invite-only, let me send you the link…”
“Callie, stop, stop. This isn’t a swipe right situation. Remember when I said I had a plan?” I say, staring at my feet.
“Alright, Miss PA. Tell me.”
“That’s the please-don’t-judge-me hard part.”
“Told you I don’t do that, Mia. So it won’t be hard at all. Spill it, girl.”