30. Josie
THIRTY
JOSIE
Is this dress too much? Maybe it’s too much.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror, second-guessing my outfit choice.
When I hurriedly packed for the Hamptons, I hadn’t ever expected to go on a date.
I thought I was going to live in shorts and tank tops for the little time I was here.
I packed a few dresses just in case I wanted to go to Pembroke, but I didn’t bring a ton of cute options.
When I fly home for dinner with Pop in two days, I’m definitely going to be grabbing some more clothes while I’m in Manhattan.
If Tyson takes me up on my proposal, I’ll need better options than what I currently have.
I take a step closer to the mirror, assessing the dress again.
I don’t even remember when I got it. In fact, it might actually be Scarlett’s.
She gets free clothes all the time. Whether it’s from the set, from brands who want to work with her, or other places, she has more clothes than she needs.
They’re always so much cuter than anything I find for myself, so I steal pieces when I can.
Her chest is a little larger than mine, but other than that, we’re relatively the same size, which really benefits me.
I’ve never been one to enjoy going shopping.
It makes it easy that I can just go through Scarlett’s closet with her and find pieces I like to take for myself.
Like this dress.
The problem is, I packed the dress not expecting to actually wear it. It was a last-minute decision. I hadn’t even thought about what kind of bra to wear with it, and now that I’ve got it on, I realize the bras I brought aren’t going to work. They all show, and not in a cute way.
I’m going to have to go without, which would typically be fine, but the dress is an ivory color that is partially transparent.
If you look closely, you can definitely see my nipples. Hence, my dilemma about wondering if the dress is too much for my dinner with Tyson. Though just hours ago, I was climbing him like a tree while his tongue was down my throat, so I think the little hint of nipple is probably fine.
Especially considering what I’m going to ask him tonight. I’ve spent the last few hours making sure there isn’t a single hair on my body besides the hair on my head. I don’t think I’ve ever used so much lotion and body oil in my life. My skin has never been so smooth.
I even took more time than normal doing my hair and makeup.
Hopefully, tonight I’m getting laid.
I still don’t know exactly how I’m going to ask Tyson to be part of my plan. But I’m thinking something like…“This might be embarrassing to admit, but I’ve had boring sex my entire life, and I think I need to spice things up. Want to be the person to help me with that?”
And now I’m wondering again if that question, paired with this dress, is doing too much.
But then again…if I want to sleep with him tonight, isn’t too much the point?
I let out a groan as I take a few steps back until I’m falling to my bed with a soft thud.
I’m not cut out for this. In theory, Scarlett’s idea sounded like a good one. If I want to write a more passionate book, I need to bring some more passion into my life.
But now that I’m faced with having to admit to Tyson what I need…I’m thinking twice about it. It’s one thing for him to joke about being my inspiration, but I think it’s another thing entirely for me to admit how my sex life has been lacking my entire life, and I really want him to change that.
What if it weirds him out?
I frown, but there’s something deep inside me that knows that wouldn’t happen. He’s made it clear that he feels this pull between us just as much as I do. He hasn’t been shy about wanting me.
I’m just a little nervous about my proposal, is all. But where there are nerves, there’s also excitement. The heat I felt from Tyson’s kiss was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. It fueled a desire in me I didn’t know was possible. I can’t imagine what doing more with him will feel like.
I hope to find out.
With a loud sigh, I push myself off the mattress and slide off the bed.
We’re going to free the nipple tonight. I’m wearing the dress.
I spin in front of the mirror, giving myself one more glance before leaving for Tyson’s house.
My lips twitch as I tentatively smile. There’s an eagerness running through my veins as I think about the possibility of what could happen tonight.
But there’s also a new sense of boldness I’m excited to explore.
I didn’t expect it this summer, but I’m excited about the new side Tyson’s bringing out in me.
I grab my phone and lip gloss from the top of my dresser before walking out of my bedroom.
Butterflies take flight in my stomach as I find Mouse lying on the kitchen windowsill. He lets out a loud meow as I close the distance to him.
“I might be gone all night,” I tell Mouse, even though he has no idea what I’m saying.
I scratch his favorite spot, giving him some love before leaving.
“I’ll hopefully be gone all night,” I amend.
My body warms at the thought of all the different ways Tyson and I could stay busy.
I hope the evening is very…eventful. Hopefully, I leave his house tomorrow feeling extra inspired.
I can’t help but smile as I grab the small purse I left on my entryway table, locking up behind myself before tossing the keys into it.
As I walk the short distance to Tyson’s house, I think about the difference a week has made since meeting him.
When Mouse first wandered over to his house, I wanted to do everything possible to avoid Tyson so I could finish my book.
Now, instead of avoiding him, I want to find a way to spend all my free time with him.
He makes me feel things I’ve never felt before, which is making me a better writer.
At least, I think it is. We’ll see what my editor has to say when she gets the updated manuscript, but there’s no way she’ll say there’s no chemistry.
I’m still early on in my edits, but the chemistry already feels like it’s dripping off the page.
In my opinion, the story is already in far better shape than it was when I first arrived in the Hamptons.
And I’m just getting started.
I’m still smiling as I lift my hand to knock on Tyson’s door. I texted him about ten minutes ago that I was finishing up getting ready and was going to head over soon, but I’m not sure if I’m supposed to knock or walk right in.
Before I have the chance to decide, Tyson pulls open the door.
I know it’s only been a matter of hours since I last saw him, but it still doesn’t change the fact that my breath catches when he takes a step through the doorway and brings his body closer to mine.
He wears a cream button-up shirt that hugs his body perfectly. I let my gaze wander to where he’s got the sleeves rolled up, showing off his tan and toned forearms.
Tyson clears his throat, the sound directing my gaze to meet his once again. Our eyes meet, and I smile.
He does the same, his lips stretching across his perfect teeth in a way that makes my pulse spike.
“Hi.” The single word is said low and with a raspiness to it that has my stomach clenching. Who knew a “hi” could be so damn sexy?
“Hi,” I whisper back, my heart beginning to hammer against my chest in anticipation of what the night will bring.