Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ELLIE
“Something’s different.”
I look up to see Dev’s eyes narrowed at me, running over my face and outfit.
It’s Saturday and we’re sitting at a high-top table at an upscale bar walking distance from my apartment—my only actual requirement when we go out.
The bar has trendy purple lighting that’s giving Dev’s dark hair an amethyst-like sheen.
It’s longer than mine, coming to her chest in subtle waves.
Her makeup is annoyingly perfect, as always, and her dark eyes are looking almost black.
She’s only two years older than me, but she’s really working the stare-down I imagine older siblings excel at. Not that I would know.
“What?” I ask her. I look down at my short black corduroy overall dress and white turtleneck she’s checking out. I think it’s cute. And paired with my sheer black tights and boots? I was really proud of this outfit. I look back at her in confusion, wondering what she’s talking about.
“You’re not trying to get laid tonight,” she states, louder than I’d like.
I look around us to make sure no one overheard my loud-as-shit friend.
My instinct is to tell her she’s wrong. I’m actually totally looking to get laid tonight.
But I happen to already know who I’m getting laid by and he’s definitely not at this bar.
He’s at the hockey arena, close to finishing his game against who knows what team.
I check the time on my phone—he should be at my place in an hour or so unless the game goes into overtime.
I think back to Dev’s assessment of my look tonight and give her an insulted glare.
I know my outfit doesn’t scream come and get it, but I still think I look good enough to get hit on.
“Are you saying I don’t look hot? I love this outfit!
And I’m sitting, but my butt looks good in this dress, I swear,” I tell her. It does.
Dev rolls her eyes and sips her drink. We’re having French 75s tonight, playing into the fancy vibes of the place. I love me some champagne.
“Oh stop, you always look hot. You know what I’m saying,” Dev says as she sets her drink back down.
I do know what she’s saying, but I’m not trying to admit anything tonight. I also hate lying. Which reminds me I still have to figure out what to tell Zoey when we FaceTime before work tomorrow.
“Fine. You’re right, I’m not looking to pick a guy up from here,” I say, waving my hands at the bar around us.
“So you’re giving up on your Band-Aid sex?” she asks me.
I am seriously regretting sharing that information with her. Zoey too, honestly.
I feel my face heat, both in slight embarrassment at the topic and also at the memory of said sex.
Who knew ripping a Band-Aid could be hot?
Honestly, all of our hookups have been. And I can’t imagine tonight will be any different.
Unless Matt’s tired from his game? This is the first time we are hanging out after one.
I hadn’t thought about that. He was the one who asked to come over though…
We hadn’t been able to meet up this week and I think he wanted to set something up before I start my work week tomorrow.
Maybe we can try a position that’s not too tiring for him?
My thighs clench at the thought and I shake my head to clear it. What am I going to say to Dev?
“I’m…” I pause, hesitating. I should’ve planned this out. I look at my drink and spin it slowly on its napkin. Damn it. “I’m not giving up, I just…kind of…did it already,” I finish quickly, bringing my glass up to drink and hide my red face.
Dev’s mouth pops open.
“What!” Her near-yell comes out more like a statement than a question.
I set my glass down quickly and lean into her across the table. “For the love of— Can you keep your freaking voice down?” I implore her in a whisper-shout.
“When? Where? With who? I know you didn’t pick someone up when we went out! I left with you! Did you go out without me?” Dev pouts at me dramatically and I want to roll my eyes.
“Oh my god,” I mumble, putting my face in my hands. “I didn’t go out without you. I don’t have any other friends! You know that.” I look up at her face.
She’s giving me a “go on” gesture. Goddammit.
“I ran into someone on my walk home after we went out last time,” I tell her quietly.
“Ellie! That was weeks ago! Wait, you picked someone up off the streets?!” Dev’s screech could be heard from outside.
I give her wide eyes and look around the room at all the gazes on us. Great.
“Sorry,” she whispers and winces. “How about we go to your place?” Dev flutters her eyelashes at me and gives me an innocent smile.
Why is it so hard to say no to her? I hesitate for a minute and then cave. “Fine, one bowl of ice cream.”
Dev claps her hands and hops off her chair, putting her jacket and gloves on faster than I’ve ever seen.
Crap, how am I going to get her out of there before Matt shows up? And what am I going to say? That eager energy she’s sporting is not going to be easy to stamp out. Good practice for Zoey, I guess.
I grab my own jacket and fish out some cash to leave on the table for a tip since we already closed our tabs.
We bundle up and start the short walk to my place.
Thankfully it’s too cold for conversation, both of us burying our faces as far into our jacket collars as we can with our hands shoved deep in our pockets.
When we reach my apartment I quickly open the main door and then trudge up the stairs. I feel Dev behind me and all of that eager energy she’s still giving off. Ugh.
I’ve barely opened my door when Dev starts in on the questions again.
“So, on your walk home? Please tell me you didn’t pay someone.”
I give her a flat look and hang up my stuff before grabbing the ice cream and bowls. I hand her the scoop and go get our spoons. Thankfully I had strawberry ice cream still in my freezer, so I don’t have to share my stash of Matt Vanilla.
“Obviously I didn’t pay anyone, you freak. I can’t believe you thought I picked up some stranger outside.”
At least she looks contrite. “It just popped out,” she says with a guilty smile, shoveling a bite of ice cream in her mouth.
I lean on the counter and start to eat my own. Best not to get comfortable—I need her out of here in the next twenty minutes.
“So if you didn’t pick up someone random on your walk…” Dev leads, eyebrows wiggling at me.
“Fine. I ran into this guy I had met back in January. He was actually at the same bar where I first met him. So he came out to say hi and…” I shrug, desperate for that to be enough information.
“And you said ‘Do you want to have sex with me?’”
Fucking Dev.
“I mean, kind of? We chatted first, obviously, and I invited him in. Then I asked.”
“Hell yeah, get it girl,” she says, holding up her hand for a high five.
I ignore her hand. “Why are you like this?” I mutter.
She laughs and eats more ice cream. “So what’s his name? Are you going to see him again?”
I feel my blush take over and curse my complexion for making me so transparent.
“I…may have seen him again already. A few times. We kind of agreed to be fuck buddies. But it’s new and I don’t know if I’m ready to share more yet,” I tell her with an apologetic look.
Her face sobers and she gives me a smile. “Understood,” she says with a subtle nod. “You’ll talk to me when you’re ready?”
“Of course,” I promise. I look at the door and back to our ice cream.
“He’s coming over tonight, isn’t he?” Dev’s smile grows but maintains that soft edge that promises she gets my hesitance and won’t push.
“Mayb—” My voice is cut off by a knock at my door. I drop my spoon and look from Dev to the door and back.
Shit, he’s early.
My wide eyes must betray my panic, because Dev squeezes my hand before dropping her bowl in the sink. She quickly grabs her jacket and gloves and walks back over to me. “I’ll be cool, promise. Sorry for inviting myself over,” she says as she gives me a fast, tight hug.
I force my body to unfreeze and squeeze her back, releasing her and then walking to the door. I check the peephole to be sure and feel my breath catch at Matt’s appearance.
His hair is wet and face flushed, black sweatshirt matching his black backward hat and black shorts.
He looks edible.
And I think I know Matt’s favorite color. Also, how the hell did he get through the building door again?
I open the door and offer an apologetic look. His smile falters at that and then freezes when he presumably sees Dev. I turn to look at her and her mouth is hanging wide open.
Way to play it cool. Dev’s a true Minnesotan, so she likely knows who he is. Or maybe she’s stunned at how hot he is. Either feels feasible.
Thankfully she recovers, giving Matt a polite smile. “Hi, sorry, I’m just heading out. I’ll see you tomorrow, Ellie?” she asks, looking over to me.
“Yeah, of course,” I tell her on a nod. “Text when you get home?”
She nods back at me and smiles again at Matt, who turns sideways to let her pass by out the door, returning her polite smile.
He faces me and raises both eyebrows. I sigh and turn around to put the ice cream away, Matt’s low chuckle clear behind me as he follows and shuts the door.
Dev is going to have so many questions.