“Damn,” Lexi sighs, as her brows furrow. “She used to love spending the night with you. Think it’s because Blake isn’t here anymore?”
That thought hadn’t occurred to me for some reason. But Lexi has a point. Blake was always a part of our sleepovers, and he always made them fun. He’d make fires in the backyard for s’mores and take the kid’s for bike rides. “Maybe,” I admit. “I’m going to talk to Wendy about it. I love those kids, and I’ve been terrible about trying to spend time with them since Blake passed away. Maybe Kenzie and I need some one on one time.”
“Maybe, just don’t make it so obvious. You should include Mary-Anne as well. Otherwise, McKenzie will know you’re just trying to kiss her ass.”
“I’m not trying to kiss her ass,” I defend.
Lexi sips her coffee before saying, “You know what I mean but suit yourself.”
We share another cup before Lexi drags herself out the door and heads home for a nap. I busy myself cleaning up and washing laundry when I remember I never texted Vick back. I find my cell phone and power it on. There are two new texts from Vick.
Vick: Okay, okay . . . it isn’t that small. I don’t want to lie to you anymore.
Then,
All joking aside, I hope we’re still on for Monday. I’ve been thinking about you all week.
I can’t help smiling as I feel a little flutter in my belly. I don’t know where things will go with Vick, but it is nice to feel . . . wanted.
I text him my address and tell him I’m looking forward to seeing him, too. And just as I’m pouring myself a glass of sweet tea with every intention of curling up on my couch for a nap in front of the television, I hear Connor start his bike and take off. As I plop down on my couch, I try hard not to think about where he’s going.
Apparently my little sister thinks I’m an invalid, incapable of dressing myself appropriately for a date. I assume this because she returned, again, tonight to ‘help’ me dress for my date with Vick. After much debate, I let her convince me to wear my best ‘ass showcasing’ jeans, as she calls them, and a flowy, emerald green top that hangs off one shoulder and makes my dark hair and eyes pop. As I stare at myself in my full-length mirror, I have to admit, I look pretty good. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt anywhere near the word sexy, but tonight . . . I do. And the outfit isn’t too much, so I feel confident without feeling over the top.
“Your makeup turned out awesome,” Lexi notes as she sprays me with my favorite perfume, Happy Heart by Clinique. I fan my hand in my face as I cough because she’s sprayed too much.
“That’s too much. I don’t want to gag him,” I choke out between coughs.
“It’ll fade in a few minutes,” Lexi argues as she sprays me once more.
“Enough, Lex,” I beg.
“Okay, okay,” she groans as she takes the bottle back to my dresser. “You look hot Demi.”
“Thank you for coming over and helping.” Although I would have never asked her to, I do appreciate her trying to help me.
Before she can respond the doorbell rings. “He’s early,” she giggles. “You’ve got this guy jonesing for a piece.”
I roll my eyes and take a deep breath. “Will you go let him in, and pleeassee don’t embarrass me?”
“Moi?” she asks feigning offense. “When have I ever embarrassed you?”
I snort. “My senior year when Billy Thompson picked me up for prom, and you told him if he was hoping to ‘get some’ he better think again because I was on the rag.”
Lexi cringes as she bites her lip. “Okay,” she gives in. “One time I was kind of an asshole and embarrassed you.”
“Kind of an asshole?” I question.
“Okay,” she nods as she raises her hands in surrender. “I was a giant asshole, but seriously . . . that was only one time.”
“And how about when I graduated from college, and you flashed my professor at the bar that night?”
The doorbell rings again, and Lexi rushes to the door to answer it. “Okay, two times!”