usually big on reality TV, but as I channel surfed, I somehow got hooked on an episode of
The Bachelor.
Seriously, I thought, why would anyone want to turn her courtship into a soap opera competition? Who would want all those romantic, intimate moments that every girl dreams about to be broadcast on national TV? On the other hand, here I was watching and getting sucked in by the drama and the romance and the catfights (however phony those all were), so clearly the producers of the show knew what they were doing.
I was really rooting for one girl in particular named LeeAnn. She had a strong independent streak and refused the naked hot tub scene. “You go, girl!” I cheered at the TV. Unfortunately, independence didn’t seem to be one of the qualities The Bachelor valued in a potential wife and LeeAnn didn’t receive a rose at the end of the episode.
I flipped off the TV and thought about Levy as I padded into my bedroom. What would a romance with him be like? He lived such a public life and for much of it he was on stage in front of throngs of women who swooned over him, threw themselves at him—sort of like the women who tried to win the heart of The Bachelor, but multiplied about a million or so times. His kiss had been so gentle. But what if there had been no limo waiting outside? What might have happened? Thoughts of where the kiss might have led filled my head as it hit the pillow and I fell instantly fast asleep.
Chapter 6
Sunday is the busiest day of the week at the store, so I didn’t get a lot of time to think as the day went on. And that was probably a good thing, because thinking too much would have made me even more nervous about tonight’s date with Levy. What would it be like to be out in public with a star?
I had called Jess that morning to ask if I could borrow the Marc Bouwer dress she’d bought a couple of months ago, a hot pink, silk sheath that leaves one shoulder bare. When there was a break in the flow of customers, we told Dan to cover for us for a few minutes and then ran back to the dressing room like excited teenagers. Her dress hugged every curve of my body, and the bare left shoulder felt sexy and seductive.
“You’re sure he’s worth this dress?” she teased.
“I’m sure
I’m
worth this dress,” I told her.
“Do I have to tell you to be careful? Remember, this is a guy who hasn’t just been around the block a few times. He’s been around the
world
a few times.”
“Okay, Auntie Jess,” I said, clasping my hands together and giving her an innocent look.
“Very funny,” she said. “But your old auntie knows what she’s talking about, so really, Kitty, take things easy.”
She switched back into wardrobe consultation mode. “Now please surprise me and say you’ve got something other than Sketchers t-straps for your feet.”
I did surprise her. I pulled out a pair of Jimmy Choo platform shoes with three-inch spike heels. The shoes were covered, heels and all, with multicolored sparkles. Jess was practically drooling.
I had bought these shoes to wear to a wedding. Patrick and I had just broken up so I was going solo to the event, my first solo voyage in a long time, and having these on my feet had given me an ego boost. They cost me more than about three weeks’ worth of groceries, but they made me feel beautiful when I slipped them on. At the wedding reception, a little boy had stared at them for a long time and then, in an awestruck voice, asked, “Are you a princess?” I’d said yes because that’s just how they made me feel.
“
Way
better than I expected,” Jess said approvingly. “There’s hope for you yet.” She gave me a hug. “Have the best time ever tonight, Kit. You deserve it!”
# # # # #
We worked steadily until about 1:00, and then I was surprised and delighted to see Ally walk through the door. It was a relief to see she wasn’t avoiding me, and I was glad we’d have a chance to talk.
She
The Bachelor.
Seriously, I thought, why would anyone want to turn her courtship into a soap opera competition? Who would want all those romantic, intimate moments that every girl dreams about to be broadcast on national TV? On the other hand, here I was watching and getting sucked in by the drama and the romance and the catfights (however phony those all were), so clearly the producers of the show knew what they were doing.
I was really rooting for one girl in particular named LeeAnn. She had a strong independent streak and refused the naked hot tub scene. “You go, girl!” I cheered at the TV. Unfortunately, independence didn’t seem to be one of the qualities The Bachelor valued in a potential wife and LeeAnn didn’t receive a rose at the end of the episode.
I flipped off the TV and thought about Levy as I padded into my bedroom. What would a romance with him be like? He lived such a public life and for much of it he was on stage in front of throngs of women who swooned over him, threw themselves at him—sort of like the women who tried to win the heart of The Bachelor, but multiplied about a million or so times. His kiss had been so gentle. But what if there had been no limo waiting outside? What might have happened? Thoughts of where the kiss might have led filled my head as it hit the pillow and I fell instantly fast asleep.
Chapter 6
Sunday is the busiest day of the week at the store, so I didn’t get a lot of time to think as the day went on. And that was probably a good thing, because thinking too much would have made me even more nervous about tonight’s date with Levy. What would it be like to be out in public with a star?
I had called Jess that morning to ask if I could borrow the Marc Bouwer dress she’d bought a couple of months ago, a hot pink, silk sheath that leaves one shoulder bare. When there was a break in the flow of customers, we told Dan to cover for us for a few minutes and then ran back to the dressing room like excited teenagers. Her dress hugged every curve of my body, and the bare left shoulder felt sexy and seductive.
“You’re sure he’s worth this dress?” she teased.
“I’m sure
I’m
worth this dress,” I told her.
“Do I have to tell you to be careful? Remember, this is a guy who hasn’t just been around the block a few times. He’s been around the
world
a few times.”
“Okay, Auntie Jess,” I said, clasping my hands together and giving her an innocent look.
“Very funny,” she said. “But your old auntie knows what she’s talking about, so really, Kitty, take things easy.”
She switched back into wardrobe consultation mode. “Now please surprise me and say you’ve got something other than Sketchers t-straps for your feet.”
I did surprise her. I pulled out a pair of Jimmy Choo platform shoes with three-inch spike heels. The shoes were covered, heels and all, with multicolored sparkles. Jess was practically drooling.
I had bought these shoes to wear to a wedding. Patrick and I had just broken up so I was going solo to the event, my first solo voyage in a long time, and having these on my feet had given me an ego boost. They cost me more than about three weeks’ worth of groceries, but they made me feel beautiful when I slipped them on. At the wedding reception, a little boy had stared at them for a long time and then, in an awestruck voice, asked, “Are you a princess?” I’d said yes because that’s just how they made me feel.
“
Way
better than I expected,” Jess said approvingly. “There’s hope for you yet.” She gave me a hug. “Have the best time ever tonight, Kit. You deserve it!”
# # # # #
We worked steadily until about 1:00, and then I was surprised and delighted to see Ally walk through the door. It was a relief to see she wasn’t avoiding me, and I was glad we’d have a chance to talk.
She
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