Don’t look, don’t look.
I peeked out the corner of my eye as they rode past. Damn it! I have no self-discipline. A helmetless – what was it with American’s not wearing motorbike helmets, that shit is whack – Cade shamelessly checked me out while controlling a Harley. I had to admit, it was kind of impressive. I blushed, feeling the eyes of five other bikers on me as they rode past. I quickened my pace, trying to get into the safety of my house before I bumped into Ryan Gosling – at this point I wouldn’t be surprised.
I flattened myself against the door as soon as I got inside, puffing from my run and my encounters. That’s it. I’m buying a treadmill, or maybe a whole gym. No, I just won’t ever leave the house again.
“Morning!” Amy’s voice belted out. “I made you breakfast.”
“Thanks!” I make my way into the kitchen.
Amy was at the breakfast bar, munching on granola, fruit and yogurt, a bowl for me sat beside her.
“How was your run?” she asked, between mouthfuls.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” I grumbled, plonking myself down beside her.
She stopped eating, her spoon halfway to her mouth. “Spill.”
And I did just that, yet again replaying the barely believable events of the morning. I finished with the description of Cade on his bike, and Amy stared at me wide eyed.
“It’s seven in the morning and that has already happened?” She shook her head. “I’m going to stick to you like white on rice for the rest of the day, baby girl, get myself some run ins with sexy males.” She was half serious.
I laughed, digging into my breakfast. “I don’t even want to think what’s in store for us at this barbeque. I guess it would too much to hope that it is a meeting of kick ass feminists, or wait, lesbians?” I asked Amy seriously.
“Now what would be the fun in that?”
I slid my brownie into the oven and turned back to see Amy, shamefully licking the bowl.
“Hey!” I snapped. “Leave some for me!” I advanced on her.
Amy picked a knife up off the counter and hissed. “You try and eat any of this and I will cut you.”
I giggled. “You don’t scare me, Abrams.”
Amy pondered for a moment then lowered the knife. “Okay, but we have half each.”
I whipped my finger through the remnants of the mixture and brought it to my mouth and groaned. I stepped away.
“That’s all I need, it’s all yours,” I said while untying my pink polka dotted ruffled apron. “I need to get ready for this barbeque.”
“Well, make sure you dress hot,” Amy commanded to my back as I climbed the stairs. “With your luck, the cast of Magic Mike will probably be there.”
I stood in front of my mirror, admiring my white sleeveless sundress and decided I looked pretty good. It clinched in at the waist and flowed down to just above my knee, showing a fair amount of leg. The whole back was sheer down to my waist, forcing me to go braless — not that it mattered with my tiny knockers. My hair was tousled into waves, tumbling past my shoulders. I decided on light makeup with pale pink lipstick. I finished off my look with a couple of silver bangles and my usual sky high heels, pale pink wedges with crisscross straps snaking up my ankle.
Amy wolf whistled at me.
I smiled at her over my shoulder. “Right back at you. Looking good, Abrams.”
Amy looked great, no surprises there. She had on high-waisted white short shorts with a sheer white shirt tucked into them, her lace bra was showing in a somewhat tasteful way. A black belt knotted around her waist and she was wearing killer black heels. Her red hair was up in a messy ponytail and she wore little makeup.
“I’m going to have to fight off the men...and the women,” I said .
“Exactly as I planned, grasshopper,” she laughed, rubbing her hands together.
Walking down the driveway towards the back of an old but well restored Victorian, butterflies tumbled around in my stomach. It was an unfamiliar feeling, I usually loved a party of any form, enjoyed meeting new people. But now, anxiety chewed at my gut.
“Are you sure we shouldn’t knock at the front door?” I asked Amy uncertainly as I shifted my tray full of brownies slightly.
“No, Rosie said to come straight out back.” She strutted around the corner confidently.
I had to jog a little to catch up with her. Rounding the corner, I decided I was definitely nervous. A lot of people were scattered around the vast backyard. Both male and female, mostly around my age, but a few older people were mixed in. Amy and I were very overdressed by the looks of it. Everyone was mostly in jean shorts or casual dresses.
Not that it mattered, this was me, and like Amy said, I wasn’t changing for anyone. Most of the looks directed our way were curious but friendly, apart from a couple of death glares coming from some very scantily-clad girls I would normally call skanks. But I wasn’t judging by appearances.
“Amy, you made it!” A stunning girl ran over to us with a smile on her face.
She hugged Amy like she was an old friend and turned to me.
This town bred beautiful people. With tanned skin, shoulder length brown hair styled into messy waves and stunning blue eyes, this girl was a knockout. She was petite, tiny actually, even in the kick ass blue platform wedges she was wearing — she was a good head shorter than me. She wore white and black leopard print shorts, a white tank with a chiffon overlay and chunky necklaces tumbling down her torso.
I immediately liked her, not just because of her outfit, but because of the straight up friendly smile she was directing at me.
“You must be Gwen.” She focused on my hands and grinned. “And these must be the famous brownies Amy was telling me about.”
Jesus, how long did Amy talk to this girl for?
“It’s lovely to meet you, Rosie. You have an awesome place.” I recovered quickly as she took the tray out of my hands.
“Oh and your accent is so cute, and I love your dress.”
“Thanks,” I smiled. “I love your outfit.”
She gazed down. “What, this old thing?” she joked. “Now, come with me and I’ll get you ladies some drinks and introduce you.”
“Drinks, great, point me in the right direction.” Amy smiled, rubbing her hands together.
We followed Rosie to a little gazebo that had a table full of food and drinks. People were milling around nodding and smiling as we walked past. Rosie introduced us to a few people, who I immediately forgot the names of.
We grabbed our drinks, and chatted with Rosie, who introduced us to her girlfriends, Ashley and Lucy. They both cemented my theory that every person in this town were immortal, disgustingly attractive vampires.
Ashley had strawberry blonde short curly hair, pale skin and a light dusting of freckles across her nose. She was wearing a 1950s style yellow polka dot dress with a full skirt. Lucy’s black hair was dead straight. She had dark eyes, curves to die for and great skin. I was starting to feel very inadequate.
“So, Gwen, you’re opening a clothing store?” Lucy asked excitedly.
“Yeah, I used to be a buyer back in New York, so I thought having my own store would be great, maybe not so great for my shopping addiction,” I joked.