“Okay,” I breathed, “I’m calm.”
He smiled, pleased that his plan of distraction had worked. “Everything’s still the same, Pidge. It’s still just you and me.”
“You two are nuts,” Shepley said, shaking his head.
America playfully smacked Shepley’s shoulder. “Abby bought something for Travis today, too.”
“America!” I scolded.
“You found a dress?” he asked, smiling.
“Yeah,” I wrapped my legs and arms around him. Tomorrow it’s going to be your turn to be freaked out.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said, pulling me off the counter. I waved to America as Travis carried me down the hall.
Friday after class, America and I spent the afternoon downtown, primping and indulging. We had our nails and toes done, errant hairs waxed, skin bronzed and hair highlighted. When we returned to the apartment, every surface had been covered with bouquets of roses. Reds, pinks, yellows, and whites—it looked like a floral shop.
“Oh my God!” America squealed when she walked through the door.
Shepley looked around him, standing proud. “We went to buy you two flowers, but neither of us thought just one bouquet would do it.”
I hugged Travis. “You guys are…you’re amazing. Thank you.”
He smacked my backside. “Thirty minutes until the party, Pidge.”
The boys dressed in Travis’ room while we slipped on our dresses in Shepley’s. Just as I was fastening my silver heels, someone knocked on the door.
“Time to go, ladies,” Shepley said.
America walked out, and Shepley whistled.
“Where is she?” Travis asked.
“Abby’s having some trouble with her shoe. She’ll be out in just a sec,” America explained.
“The suspense is killin’ me, Pigeon!” Travis called.
I walked out, fidgeting with my dress while Travis stood in front of me, blank-faced.
America elbowed him and he blinked. “Holy shit.”
“Are you ready to be freaked out?” America asked.
“I’m not freaked out, she looks amazing,” Travis said.
I smiled and then slowly turned around to show him the steep dip of the fabric in the back of the dress.
“Okay, now I’m freakin’ out,” he said, walking over to me and turning me around.
“You don’t like it?” I asked.
“You need a jacket.” He jogged to the rack and then hastily draped my coat over my shoulders.
“She can’t wear that all night, Trav,” America chuckled.
“You look beautiful, Abby,” Shepley said as an apology for Travis’ behavior.
Travis’ expression was pained as he spoke. “You do. You look incredible…but you can’t wear that. Your skirt is…wow, your legs are…your skirt is too short and it’s only half a dress! It doesn’t even have a back on it!”
I couldn’t help but smile. “That’s the way it’s made, Travis.”
“Do you two live to torture each other?” Shepley frowned.
“Do you have a longer dress?” Travis asked.
I looked down. “It’s actually pretty modest in the front. It’s just the back that shows off a lot of skin.”
“Pigeon,” he winced with his next words, “I don’t want you to be mad, but I can’t take you to my frat house looking like that. I’ll get in a fight the first five minutes we’re there, Baby.”
I leaned up on the balls of my feet and kissed his lips. “I have faith in you.”
“This night is gonna suck,” he groaned.
“This night is going to be fantastic,” America said, offended.
“Just think of how easy it will be to get it off later,” I said, kissing his neck.
“That’s the problem. Every other guy there will be thinking the same thing.”
“But you’re the only one that gets to find out,” I lilted. He didn’t respond, and I leaned back to assess his expression. “Do you really want me to change?”