“Yep, shall I bring wine or something to eat?”
“Just bring yourself. The code to the gate is 0615. Come at six o’clock.”
Since Damon and I spent most of my lunch break pleasuring each other, I have a mere ten minutes to gobble up the Caesar salad he ordered.
As I leave the office, the cool air circulates around me, making me fully aware that my panties are in his pocket.
“Have a nice afternoon, Ms. Cross.” Every day I see Greta her smile gets bigger. She has to know what’s going on between us because she’s right outside the door, for goodness sake.
Chapter Seventeen
Em and I go to a spa called The Four Elements, where we enjoy a hot stone massage, a body scrub, a manicure, and a pedicure, courtesy of Anthony Haywood.
Every muscle I’ve tensed up over the last few days relaxes under the masseuse’s capable hands. The release today, combined with the spa treatment, turns me to jelly. All I need is a glass of wine, and the world will be perfect.
After our treatments, we arrive at Anthony Haywood’s Restaurant. It’s standing room only, but there’s a table reserved for us. Em offers to go somewhere else, but I don’t mind coming here.
She abandons me briefly to say hello to her man, and I take a moment to text Damon and tell him how wonderful the afternoon was.
He responds immediately, letting me know I rocked his world.
When Em comes back, she looks like a teenager in love.
“Anthony made us something special and is delivering it himself.”
We sip glasses of merlot and talk about all the things we haven’t had time to tell each other. For me, it’s the gift bags and how proud I am of how they turned out. Then there’s our upcoming graduation, which is only ten days away.
Next week the craziness begins. I have two papers due and two finals to take. Em has one paper and two exams.
She shares her plans to help Anthony with his marketing since it’s her major, and I’m pleased to see he values her as a woman, a professional, and a person.
Anthony arrives with two plates, both beautifully presented with lamb chops, rosemary potatoes, and steamed spinach. Everything Em loves. They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but it’s the same for Emma.
Before he leaves, Anthony kisses my best friend like he owns her heart, and I’m certain he does. Em and I have been best friends since the seventh grade, and she’s never acted so enamored.
“Tomorrow is the big night,” Em singsongs.
I blush and look away so she won’t read anything into the grin on my face, but when I face her, it’s obvious she’s on to me.
“Spill it, Cross. Something’s happened between you two. Did you give in and put out last night?”
“No, it’s not like that. We want it to be life-altering, but we were both too worked up to last until Friday, so we did some other stuff.”
She leans in. “I want to know all the dirty details.”
“I don’t kiss and tell, but I’ll say it was amazing.”
“Look at you! My virginal friend finally succumbs to the earth-shattering effects of ‘other stuff.’”
“I’m not a virgin,” I insist much too loudly, but instead of feeling horrified, I laugh.
“There’s nothing better than great sex ... unless it’s great sex with an amazing man. I want you to have it all, girlfriend. Let’s toast,” she says.
We both raise our wine glasses, and Em proposes a toast.
“Here’s to men who will care for and adore us until our dying breaths.” We tap our glasses in the obligatory fashion and toss back the rest of our wine.
There’s no more time for dining when there’s shopping to do.
Em drags me to several stores, where she advises me on lingerie purchases and helps pick out a rocking-hot outfit for tomorrow night.
Our last stop is the drugstore where she equips me with a large box of condoms, new razors for a clean, close shave, and the body butter she swears by.
Back at home, she says, “I love you, and I want this to be the best time of your life. But … if he does anything to hurt you, I’ll inflict so much pain on him, he will wish he was never born.”
“Easy killer, he is a good man, and I don’t see him hurting me intentionally.”
“You are right. Besides, all you need to do is rock his word, and he won’t know what hit him.”
Damon did say I rocked his world and that gave me confidence to be reckless. “I already did that.”
Em looks up and shakes her head. “Will you be back by Sunday?”
“That or Monday. I don’t have school on Monday, but I have work, so we’ll see. I’ll text you over the weekend when I come up for air.”
“You may never come up for air. Damon doesn’t seem like the breathing type.” She winks and leaves for her room.
I pack for the weekend before I climb into bed. Like every night before, I check my phone before turning out the lights and find a message from Damon.
Bring the red scarf.
Yours,
Damon
Holy smokes, he wants the scarf. I jump up, grab it, and shove it into my bag. The thought of him and that scarf sends heat through my veins. Groaning, I fluff my pillow and throw myself into it. A long and sleepless night awaits.
Chapter Eighteen
I find another dozen roses and a lunchbox waiting on my desk. The card on the flowers only says, “Beautiful” on it.
The lunchbox stumps me. I open it and find a sandwich, chips, an apple, and a soda. At the bottom of the box is a cherry Tootsie Pop and a note that says:
For your oral fixation.
Damon
“That’s quite a friend you have there. Where can I sign up?” Trevor is like a bad rash, showing up when I least expect him, and impossible to get rid of.
“I’m not discussing my private life with you. Go read a book if you want dirt and smut. In fact, try Bound. You may enjoy it.”
“I read it and loved it. I like the section on—”
I cover my ears. “Lalalalalala, I don’t want to know.” My brain can’t fill with thoughts of Trevor and his lover when I want to imagine Damon.
“We need to get you hooked up with someone. You spend too much time trying to live vicariously through the fantasy life you’ve created for me.”
“I know, girl. I’ve been high and dry for far too long. Maybe I’ll hook up with someone on the opening night of Ahz. There will be a smorgasbord of eligible men, and I can’t wait.” He licks his lips provocatively.
I laugh at him because he’s funny, but he’s also smart and kind. Trevor has been a good mentor and friend, but he’s lonely and looking for love like the rest of us. He has to work on his game.
“Trevor, how do other men know you’re gay? I didn’t pick up on it until you wanted to put the moves on Damon. Where do you meet men?”
“There are clubs and online dating sites, but they get old. I’m not looking for a one-night stand. I’m looking for the one.”
“It’s tough these days. So many people are happy with a casual hook-up. My mom used to say men wouldn’t buy the cow if the milk was free. I get that, but don’t you want to try the milk to make sure it’s good? Anyway, I believe the perfect person will come along when the time is right. It seems to happen when you least expect it.”