bouncing in her seat. This is her dream job, and she’s finally arrived. Even though she doesn’t graduate for another semester, the job is essentially hers. This isn’t an internship for her. This is her introduction into the family business, and she has every reason to be ecstatic. I smile at her unbridled enthusiasm. Her good mood is catching, and my sorrowful thoughts slowly seep away.
“Sully, your date is here,” Tonya yells up the stairs to me. She’s already ensconced herself on the couch with a tub of mocha chocolate ice cream, and her movie is about to start. I breeze down the steps and past the kitchen to the powder room. One last look in the mirror tells me that my comfortable but sexy attire is passable. I’m wearing black capri shorts, a white crepe blouse with roll-up sleeves, and the cutest animal print t-strap sandals ever. I have even painted my toenails with my French manicure kit.
I hope we aren’t going walking. These shoes would be totally inappropriate for a hike. I guess I’ll find out in a minute. I take one last look at my hair, which is braided in a fishbone that starts at my left temple and stops behind my right ear, the ends curled and lying softly over my right shoulder. I’ve managed to pull a few wispy tendrils loose around my temples so that it doesn’t look stiff and unnatural. My makeup is minimal, and lip gloss is really the only thing that stands out. I hurry back out to the doorway and grab my purse.
“How do I look?” I spin in a circle, giving her the 360-degree view.
“You look hot! Go get ya some of that meat muffin. Here, take these.” She pulls out two condoms from her pocket, and I walk over to collect them.
“Seriously? You did not just pull condoms from your fleece PJ’s pocket?!” I’m trying not to laugh, but she is shameless in her attempt to get me laid.
“Of course I did! I want you to get some Sully, not catch something bleach can’t wash off. Now for goodness’ sake, quit making the poor guy wait out in the heat.” She presses play on the DVD player, and Ryan Gosling appears on the screen, shirtless and sweaty. I’m pretty certain she’s fast-forwarding to the parts with male nudity. Maybe I should buy her a Magic Dolphin. The thought makes me smile as I step outside into the May heat.
“What’s so funny?” His voice always reminds me of melted chocolate, the way it flows from his mouth and raises goose bumps on my skin. He’s leaning against the hood of a black Range Rover, and he looks absolutely divine. He’s wearing khaki cargo shorts with a short-sleeve button-down shirt. It’s not tucked in, and the top two buttons have been left open to reveal his tan skin. Once again his style is relaxed but sexy as hell. I glance down and notice he’s wearing white flip-flops. Good—no hiking shoes required.
I walk up to the SUV and suddenly remember the condoms in my hand but not before he notices them as well. A beaming grin spreads across his face, and I freeze where I’m standing as my mouth forms a wide O of astonishment. Holy shit! I swear if I didn’t have crap for luck I wouldn’t have any at all. I mentally kick myself for my stupidity. I can feel the heat rising up my throat and over my face as humiliation sets in.
He shakes his head and chuckles and then grabs me by my waist and pulls me to his chest. His mouth is on mine before I’m even aware of his intent. Although my brain has quit functioning at the sight of him, my body has other plans. My empty hand curls around the nape of his neck, and I notice immediately that something is missing. I pull back and look at him.
“You noticed already?” He flashes a lopsided smile at me and turns around. I gasp audibly.
“Your hair! What have you done with your hair?” I run my fingers through his shorn locks, and I feel as if I could weep from the loss. His long, flowing mane has been cut to just above his collar. It’s still beautiful but so short. Well, not really—it
“Sully, your date is here,” Tonya yells up the stairs to me. She’s already ensconced herself on the couch with a tub of mocha chocolate ice cream, and her movie is about to start. I breeze down the steps and past the kitchen to the powder room. One last look in the mirror tells me that my comfortable but sexy attire is passable. I’m wearing black capri shorts, a white crepe blouse with roll-up sleeves, and the cutest animal print t-strap sandals ever. I have even painted my toenails with my French manicure kit.
I hope we aren’t going walking. These shoes would be totally inappropriate for a hike. I guess I’ll find out in a minute. I take one last look at my hair, which is braided in a fishbone that starts at my left temple and stops behind my right ear, the ends curled and lying softly over my right shoulder. I’ve managed to pull a few wispy tendrils loose around my temples so that it doesn’t look stiff and unnatural. My makeup is minimal, and lip gloss is really the only thing that stands out. I hurry back out to the doorway and grab my purse.
“How do I look?” I spin in a circle, giving her the 360-degree view.
“You look hot! Go get ya some of that meat muffin. Here, take these.” She pulls out two condoms from her pocket, and I walk over to collect them.
“Seriously? You did not just pull condoms from your fleece PJ’s pocket?!” I’m trying not to laugh, but she is shameless in her attempt to get me laid.
“Of course I did! I want you to get some Sully, not catch something bleach can’t wash off. Now for goodness’ sake, quit making the poor guy wait out in the heat.” She presses play on the DVD player, and Ryan Gosling appears on the screen, shirtless and sweaty. I’m pretty certain she’s fast-forwarding to the parts with male nudity. Maybe I should buy her a Magic Dolphin. The thought makes me smile as I step outside into the May heat.
“What’s so funny?” His voice always reminds me of melted chocolate, the way it flows from his mouth and raises goose bumps on my skin. He’s leaning against the hood of a black Range Rover, and he looks absolutely divine. He’s wearing khaki cargo shorts with a short-sleeve button-down shirt. It’s not tucked in, and the top two buttons have been left open to reveal his tan skin. Once again his style is relaxed but sexy as hell. I glance down and notice he’s wearing white flip-flops. Good—no hiking shoes required.
I walk up to the SUV and suddenly remember the condoms in my hand but not before he notices them as well. A beaming grin spreads across his face, and I freeze where I’m standing as my mouth forms a wide O of astonishment. Holy shit! I swear if I didn’t have crap for luck I wouldn’t have any at all. I mentally kick myself for my stupidity. I can feel the heat rising up my throat and over my face as humiliation sets in.
He shakes his head and chuckles and then grabs me by my waist and pulls me to his chest. His mouth is on mine before I’m even aware of his intent. Although my brain has quit functioning at the sight of him, my body has other plans. My empty hand curls around the nape of his neck, and I notice immediately that something is missing. I pull back and look at him.
“You noticed already?” He flashes a lopsided smile at me and turns around. I gasp audibly.
“Your hair! What have you done with your hair?” I run my fingers through his shorn locks, and I feel as if I could weep from the loss. His long, flowing mane has been cut to just above his collar. It’s still beautiful but so short. Well, not really—it
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