“<span>SorryIdidn’t call you back sooner,Aves.I’vebeen so busy,”Palmerexaggerates on the phone, drawing out all the sybles in her response. “Thwork is really interested but hasn’t made a final decision, so the studio is just taking a chance and filming the first four episodes.It’sliterally been go-go-go.Ihaven’t had a minute to myself.”
Iexhale into the phone, hoping she can hear my agitation.I’msilent for a moment asIsnuggle intoDex’sthrow nket, a steaming mug of coffee in one hand.Stalling,IwatchCherryswim her morningps, back and forth.<i ss="calibre2">I’mpissed.</i>That’sthe truth.IcalledPalmerafterFinnandIhad sex a couple of nights ago.Iwanted to talk to my best friend.Iwanted her to help me process all the mixed emotionsIwas having.Shedidn’t answer.ItextedPalmerthatIneeded her and she left me on read for almost three days.
I’dunderstand if she was truly that busy, but she hasn’t been too<i ss="calibre2">go-go-go</i>to keep her entire social media following updated on her whereabouts and budding career.Ialready knewPalmerwas filming more episodes…because ofInstagram.Herthumbs must be too tired from name-dropping minor celebrities to push the call button and get back to her best friend of twenty years.
“How’sfilming?”
“Imean…this show is…<i ss="calibre2">fine.</i>It’sa good stepping stone.ButI’mready for bigger things, you know?”
“Aftera week?”
“Thisindustry moves fast,” she chides. “Peoplefind fame overnight.”
“Iwasn’t…”Irelease the air in my lungs, forcing my attitude out with it. “Iwant the best things in the world for you, friend.ButImiss you.I’vebeen calling…”
“Shit,I’msorry.Iknow.I’msuch a piece of shit.I’mjust never alone.It’shard to find time to talk.Ireally miss you too andI’msorryImissed your call.I’vebeen putting everything into this job, trying towork and get in good with the directors and some castmates, you know?Connections.Idon’t know what to do if it doesn’t work out.DidItell you my lease is up and theplex is raising rent again?Ican’t afford it anymore.Ifthis show doesn’t work out…I’mhomeless.”
Itut my tongue. “Homeless?Isn’tthat dramatic?”
“No, it’s urate.”
“<i ss="calibre2">I’myour home, goof.</i>YouthinkI’dlet you sleep on the street?”
Shughs into the phone. “You’reabout to be homeless too.Weall know you’re going to letMasonkeep the apartment when summer’s over.”
Itake a sip from my mug, annoyed at how well she knows me.It’snot a crime to be nobative.Plus, why wouldIwant to live in an apartment haunted with memories of my failed rtionship? “Wecan get a ce again.It’sbeen years since we’ve lived together.”
Palmersnorts into the phone. “Whata way to ring in our thirties right?”Thst timePalmerandIlived together was beforeImoved in withMason.Wesaid parting ways was bittersweet.Ourofficial entry into real adulthood.Forme, my first live-in boyfriend.ForPalmer, it was the first time she lived alone, period.Shehad to have three jobs and loans from her parents to get by, but still, she managed.Wethought it was the end of an era.Turnsout it was just a break.
“Arewe regressing?”Ichuckle softly.<i ss="calibre2">Fuck.Arewe…regressing?</i>
“Well, ifI’mgoing to regress, it’s going to be with you.Ilove you,Aves.AndI’mso sorryIdidn’t call sooner.Yousaid you needed to talk.What’sup?”
Myannoyance dissipates.Justlike that,I’mhurtled back to high school whenIused to confess my secret crushes toPalmer.Theconversation would always be the same.I’dtell her whoIliked.She’dinsist she set me up because of coursePalmerhad all the boys at school wrapped around her pinky.I’dcry and plead that she leave it alone and let me<i ss="calibre2">crush</i>in private…in peace.She’dnever listen.Bold, bravePalmer, convincedIwas the best thing since sliced bread, would chat me up to a guy, best intentions at heart…but it always ended up the same way.Me, rejected and humiliated, andPalmergetting asked out instead.
Eventually,Iquit telling her whoIliked.
ButIsuppose it’s safe now.Finnhas probably clued into the fact thatIlike him.I’mdoing my best to keep the degree to whichIlike him under control so my heart and ovaries don’t get carried away, but overall, our friendship is budding even faster than this fictitious romanceI’vecreated in my mind.
Finntexts me daily.<i ss="calibre2">Alwaysfirst.</i>Sometimesit’s dirty stuff.Mysexting is still awkward, but we’re working on it.AndsometimesFinnjust texts me to send a funnyGIFor to rmend something.I’mquickly learning all the things he likes—oat milk creamer, alkaline water only, and blending strawberries into vani yogurt.Notstrawberry yogurt…<i ss="calibre2">vani yogurt</i>mixed with ripe strawberry chunks.Apparently, there’s a major difference.Finnmight be more of a foodie thanIcan handle because my idea of fancy is ting aHotPocketinstead of eating it from the microwaveable pouch.
“Remembermy new neighbor?”
“Hotguy with tats?”Palmerasks in a chirp.
“Sure. ‘Hotguy with tats’ isFinnHarvey.He’sa bit of a unicorn,Palmer.I’venever met a guy so…<i ss="calibre2">everything.</i>”Idon’t know how else to describe it.Finnis manly, sexy, andmanding at the perfect moments.Yet, his personality is that of a golden retriever.He’sso sweet and approachable.He’sa character written for a fairy tale.I’mwaiting for the twist in the story, his giant w that negates his absolute perfection in my mind…like finding out he’s a serial killer.Thatwould literally be the only thing that could offset his charm.
“Areyou…”Palmertrails off, lost for words. “Soyou like him?”
Isip my coffee, smiling to myself asIenjoy thest few seconds where my secret is still in the bag. “Ihad sex with him.”
“<i ss="calibre2">What</i>?!”Palmersqualls. “Stopit!Whydidn’t you call me?”
Ihave to remove the phone from my ear she’s shrieking so loud.
“Idid…”Iunsubtly clear my throat into the phone.
“Well, if you had led with that,Imight’ve called you back sooner.”
<i ss="calibre2">Wow.Heck of filter from her brain to her mouth…Iswear.</i>“Goodto know you only want to talk whenI’mentertaining.”
“Aves,” she groans, e on.Imean,Iwould’ve called to make sure you are okay.Iknow you don’t take sex lightly.Ican’t believe you rebounded with a guy like that.Imean, hell, he’s<i ss="calibre2">so</i>fine.IfIwas there.Isure as hell would’ve taken my shot.”
Myannoyance immediately bubbles back up.<i ss="calibre2">Backoff.Backthe fuck off.</i>Uh-oh.Jealousyis not good.Jealousyis the enemy of casual sex.Finnis my teacher.Mycoach.Myfriend.He’sa whole lot of things thatIshouldn’t be acting jealous over.
Iovepensate my casual reply, trying to calm my jittery heart. “Funny.Idon’t think we’ve ever shared a guy.Firsttime for everything,Isuppose.”
“Oh, stop.Iwouldn’t…Um, so how are you?Howdo you feel?DoesMasonknow?”
“WhywouldMasonknow?”Iset my coffee mug down on a coaster and tuck my knees to my chest before pulling the throw up to my chin.<i ss="calibre2">Whyis it so cold in here?</i>Iremind myself to check the thermometers in the tanks.Dex’sair conditioning is always running now that theVegassummer heat is picking up.Iwonder ifCherryfeels like she’s swimming in the artic.Sheseems a little slowertely.
“Idon’t know, ifIwere you,I’dcall him and shove your new boy toy right down his throat.Itsends a clear message.”
“Whatmessage?”
“Thatyou guys are over.Done.Nogoing back.You’vemoved on.”
Palmermissed the wholeRumblechat fiasco, so there’s no need to defend howMasondidn’t cheat on me after all.Butagain, the morePalmertells me whatIhave to do with my love life, the moreIwant to do the opposite—just to prove a point.<i ss="calibre2">Talkabout regressing.</i>There’sobviously still a rebellious teenager that lives inside me.
“FinnandIare friends.That’sit.There’snothing to shove downMason’sthroat.I’mspending the summer trying to figure out how to love myself.OnceIfigure that out,Ican decide howIfeel about this breakup.I’veseen couplese through worse, you know?I’vealso seen couples walk away for less.Idon’t know what to think.Thebottom line isMasonsaid he was unhappy and we broke up.Hedidn’t hit me, cheat on me, or lie to me… he was just<i ss="calibre2">unhappy</i>.ShouldIhate him for telling the truth?Plus, he told me he may have just needed space.MaybeIneeded space too.Whatif this is what we needed to wake ourselves up?”
“Hesaid that?Heactually said he wants to get back together?”Sheliterally sounds disgusted.Whatthe hell is this hypocrisy?Palmer’shad endless boyfriends who have cheated on her.Herrtionships are usually short-lived, but she’s run back to them before.Sheonly saves this<i ss="calibre2">fuck him, he doesn’t deserve you</i>energy for me, apparently.Ormaybe she wantsMasonout of the way.I’mnot sure.
“Hesaid maybe this is a break.Youknow, my parents took a break for a while and got back together.”
“Right…shortly before their divorce.Rememberhow hard you took it?Doyou honestly want to do that to your kids too?”
<i ss="calibre2">Jesus,Palmer.Hersharp mouth.</i>“Regardlessof how things pan out,MasonandIstill have a business to run.Wehave a huge contract at stake.Acareer-making contract that we have to secure,<i ss="calibre2">together</i>.Rightnow,Ineed support.Notdemands.”
“Iagree.Whenites to business, he should be supportive—”
“<i ss="calibre2">No.</i>Palmer, from<i ss="calibre2">you</i>.Ineed support from you.Don’ttell me what to do.<i ss="calibre2">Justlisten.</i>”
Howlong amIgoing to have to coach her on how to be a good friend?It’sbeen two decades.Don’tyou know me by now?Can’tyou understand whatIneed?
Shemumbles something under her breath before she says, “Okay, fine.Isupport you.I’mlistening.”
“Thankyou.”Theheavy silence settles between us, and as much asIwant to dish aboutFinnand how he’s turning my world upside down, instead,Idecide to keep my treasured secrets to myself this time. “I’mgoing to get my day started, but good luck on set.Breaka leg.”
“Thanks.Oh, and,Aves?”
“Yeah?”
“IknowIsay the wrong thing sometimes, but you know thatI, um…you’re my best friend…the only person who ever believed in me and stood by me and uh…I’mjust sorry thatI’mthe weak link in this friendship.Ireally do love you in my way.IwishIwere better…more like you.”
“Palmer,”Isay amidst a heavy sigh.
“No, no, just let me own it.Iknow howIcan be.SometimesIdon’t thinkIdeserve you.”
“Doesn’tmatter, best friend.Youhave me.Ilove you too.”
“Good.”Shebreathes out in relief. “Gohave fun with your boy toy.Ihope you went to the store and bought yourself something other than granny panties.”
Shecan’t see my glower, but she can sure as hell hear my sass. “HowcanI?Youstill have my car.”
“<i ss="calibre2">Shit</i>.”This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.
Ichuckle asIhang up the phone.HotmessPalmer.Yeah, she’s rough around the edges, but she’s my oldest friend.Iknow where each of those edgeses from.
Iknow her heart.<i ss="calibre2">Andit’s a good heart.</i>
Asoft poundinging fromDex’sfront door pulls me from my nap.Whocould that be?Icheck my phone lying on the coffee table in front of me in caseFinntexted to tell me he was stopping by.Thereare no notifications.Justthe time on the screen telling meI’vebeen napping for one hour and it’s past three in the afternoon.
It’sbeen a few days sinceFinnandIhave<i ss="calibre2">hung out</i>andI’dmit…I’vebeen avoiding seeing him in person.
BecauseI’msore.
It’sa good sore.Simplyevidence of his massive proportions, butIdon’t thinkIcould’ve slept with him again without cringing, and thest thingIwant to do is make him feel guilty and scare him off, so for the past few days,I’vebeen pretendingI’mburied in work.I’mnot.Masonstill hasn’t gotten back to me with the reports.Itexted him yesterday and all he said was he was traveling and would check in when he gets back.<i ss="calibre2">Thisis whyIhandle the clients.</i>Toobad the marketing director atLegacyResortswho holds the key to the next level in my career apparently can’t handle a woman who’s smarter than he is.<i ss="calibre2">Ridiculous.</i>
Imake my way to the door, wishingI’ddownloaded the security system app likeDexinstructed me to.HadIdone so,Icould see who was at the door, tap a button, and politely tell them to please go away without leaving my spot onDex’fy living room couch.
Openingthe door,Isee a strangerIcertainly wasn’t expecting.Shehas striking features.Herangled features and high cheekbones are entrancing.Herstraight-cut bangs, jet-ck hair, and dark and heavy eye makeup are a stark contrast to the light jean shorts and flowy, floral top she’s wearing.It’ssuch a unique look,posed of contradictions.Iseveryone inLasVegasinteresting and beautiful?
“Hello,”Isay, nodding to the pink, polka-dot bakery box in her hands. “I’msorry, wrong house.Ididn’t order any deliveries.”Ince past her shoulder, but there’s no car.Finnidentally got my groceries.MaybeIgot his…baked goods?
“Hey,Avery,” she says, wiping one hand on the back of her shorts and then holding it out to me. “I’mLennox,Finn’scousin.Sorryif my hands are sticky.”Ishake her hand anyway, my urge to be polite winning out over my concern as to why her hands are sticky.Shemust sense my hesitance because she borates as she holds up the pink box. “Ibrought you the best cinnamon rolls inLasVegasas a wee neighbor gift.ButIhad to sample one to make sure they were up to their usual par.”
Ithrow my head back andugh. “Howare they?”
Shesmiles, her ruby-red lips spreading across her entire face. “Sogood that you’re down to three.”Sheholds out the box. “Finndrove out toScottsdaleto see his mom today, soIthoughtI’dtake the opportunity to be a creeper ande introduce myself.He’sbeen talking about you nonstop.”
Itry to contain my smile and fail miserably.Whatever.He’smy friend.I’mallowed to like my friend and enjoy the fact that he’s talking about me.
“Allgood things,Ihope?”
“Phenomenalthings,” she says. “Ihad toe by and make sure you were real.”
Ichortle under my breath.<i ss="calibre2">tterygets you everywhere,Finn.Likeright back in front of the closet mirror doing whatever you want to me.</i>
“Doyou want toe in?Ican make some coffee.”Ipoint to the box in her hand. “Youmust be a mind reader becauseIhaven’t had lunch yet and those smell divine.”
“I’dlove to.”
Istep aside, making room for her at the doorway.Shegives my shoulder a little squeeze as she passes me and instantaneously,Ifeel at ease around this stranger.It’sthe same wayIfelt immediately at ease aroundFinn.Maybeit’s a family trait.Theyshare a certain charisma.
Lennoxmakes herself right at home inDex’shouse.She’sobviously been here a time or two as well because she knows where the little appetizer tes are inDex’smassive kitchen.Shepulls the dishware from the cab and tes two enormous cinnamon rolls that cover the entirety of each six-inch te.Myempty stomach howls with excitement.
Afterpressing the brew button,IjoinLennoxat the kitchen breakfast table—the only tableIuse in this house.Dex’sfancy dining table in his grand dining room is still staged and untouched.Ihave zero ns of eating at a table that couldfortably seat twelve.Theround kitchen table is plenty of space to eat and work at.
“You’rereally pretty,”Lennoxsays.
Asa knee-jerk reaction,Ilook over my shoulder and then flush at my evasiveness.<i ss="calibre2">Confidence,Avery.That’swhat we’re working on.</i>
“Yes,I’mtalking to you,” she adds with a chuckle.
“Sorry,”Isay, burying my face in my hands. “Ijust…Iwas in a rtionship for so long.Noone says that to me anymore.”
Shepurses her lips. “Yourboyfriend didn’t tell you you’re pretty?”
<i ss="calibre2">Cometo think of it…</i>“Healways told me it was implied.Hewouldn’t be with me if he didn’t thinkIwas beautiful…then again, we’re no longer together, so…”ugh awkwardly.<i ss="calibre2">Goodgrief.</i>Whenwas thest timeIhad normal social interactions with other women?JustPalmer.Andthat’s usually ducking and dodging her snarkymentary on my life.
Lennoxpretends to gag. “That’zy.”
“Youknow what?”Isay, raising my brows. “It<i ss="calibre2">is</izy.Howhard is that?It’sbarely a sentence. ‘Youlook pretty.’Notthat hard, right?”Masonshould’ve said it more.Ideserved more than<i ss="calibre2">implied</i>.
“Notthat hard at all,”Lennoxparrots back. “Doyou guys still talk?”
Myshoulders tense andIimmediately feel my defensiveness rising. “Weown a business together.Westill have tomunicate.”
“That’scool.Ina perfect world, we’re all still amicable with our exes.Itmakes moving on so much easier.Ifyou guys can own a business together, that’s really mature.”Shepeers at me, her big brown eyes narrowing just slightly. “Personally,Iwant to chop off my ex’s balls and feed them to him one by one.”Shetugs the neckline of her shirt, exposing a name tattooed underneath her corbone. “Inhindsight, getting his name permanently marked on my body was a bad omen.Jinxedit.”
Icut a generous piece from my cinnamon roll.Theside of my fork cuts through the fluffy dessert with ease.Coveringmy mouth asIchew,Isay, “Areyou getting it removed?And<i ss="calibre2">holy shit</i>this is delicious.”
“Right?Andno, no need.Myartist has a whole n to cover it by working it into a new design.”Lennoxpats her shoulder. “Assoon asIhave a little cash,I’mcopyingFinn’sship.”
“<i ss="calibre2">Oh</i>,<i ss="calibre2"></i>yeah…his tattoo is…”<i ss="calibre2">Thesexiest thingI’veever seen in my life.</i>“Prettycool.Isthere a story behind it?”
“Notreally.Finn’salways been into ships.Whichis funny because he has his pilot license.Ialways figured he’d want to be a ship captain but—”
“Finnhas a pilot license?”
“Justa private pilot certificate,”Lennoxsays with a shrug. “It’snot like he could apply to fly forDeltaor anything.I’mnot even sure if it’s still active.Hehasn’t flown in years.”
“Wow.Iwould’ve never guessed.Hewanted to be a pilot?”
Lennoxtwists her lips. “Inanother life.HasFinntold you about his dad?”
Icut another piece of my cinnamon roll, stalling.FinnmentionedLennoxto me.Theyare more than cousins.Thisis his best friend and they work together.Ican speak freely, right? “Hemight’ve tossed around the word<i ss="calibre2">womanizer</i>.”
Lennoxguffaws. “Finn’sso polite when he likes a girl.Whathe meant to say isGriffinHarveyJunioris the shit stain of society and an affront to womankind.Sexuallyactive eighteen-year-olds with daddy issues are his favorite type.It’sa miracle he’s only fathered three children.Itruly suspect there are more.Dirtyfucker apparently doesn’t know what a condom is.”
Iblink at her with my jaw dropped.Okay, so she’s candid.Actually,Ilike it.Thereare no smoke and mirrors withLennox.Whatyou see is what you get.
“Thatmust be embarrassing forFinn.”
Shenods in agreement. “Finnand his mom are really close.Whichmakes it hard for him to love his dad.”
Iwet my lips, tasting the remnants of the sweet icing on my tongue. “Shouldwe be talking about this?Youknow…behindFinn’sback?”
Shereaches over and pats my hand. “Myloyalty is toFinn.Iknow whatIcan say and which secrets to keep.Myjob is to protect him.Speakingof which”—she points to my chest—“what’s your deal?”
“Ah,”Isay with a forcedugh. “Sothese aren’t friendly, neighborly cinnamon rolls after all.”
“Indeed.Bakedgoodse at a cost.”
Ismile.<i ss="calibre2">Calmdown.Icouldn’t hurtFinnifItried.</i>“Howdo you take your coffee?”Iask asIrise.
“Morecream and sugar than coffee, please.”
Igrab two cups, pouring a generous amount of half and half intoLennox’scup.Ipour her cream but bring the silver container of sugar to the table with a spoon. “I’mnot good at guessing people’s sugar tolerances.Andas for ‘<i ss="calibre2">my deal</i>’I’mhappy to tell you whatever you’d like, but you knowFinnandIaren’t dating, right?”
Lennoxgrabs the spoon before utching the lid of the sugar container.Shespoons three heaping teaspoons of sugar crystals into her cup.
<i ss="calibre2">Yup, my kind of girl.</i>
“Hesaid you guys were hanging out.”
Isuck the air in between my teeth, exaggerating the squeaking sound. “We<i ss="calibre2">hung</i>out.Once.”
“Didyou guys sleep together?” she asks with a mischievous smile.Hersmile is contagious andIcatch her yful mood.
Iclear my throat. “Imean, we didn’t do much sleeping.”
Shesqueals withughter and taps her feet against the floor rapidly, making the table shake. “I<i ss="calibre2">knew</i>it.Ishould’ve known just by the way he was talking about you.Finnfinally likes a good one.Thankthe heavens.”
“Oh, oh,”Isay, holding up my palm and waving my hand in the air. “No.Notlike that.Ijust…we’re…”Okay,I’mgoing to need to figure out how to answer this question because someone else is bound to ask. “Ijust got dumped from a very long-term rtionship about three weeks ago andI’mnot quite sure how to do the whole dating game.Finn’sshowing me the, uh…ropes so to speak.Andin exchange,I’mgoing to use my expertise to help you guys build more business.”
Ipicture the cogs spinning inLennox’shead.Shekeeps her quizzical expression on me as she takes a sip from her mug. “ThiswasFinn’sidea?”
Ican’t help butugh.<i ss="calibre2"></i>“Oh, no.Iasked him.Morelike, convinced him.<i ss="calibre2">Completelymy idea.</i>He’sinnocent in all of this.AndIknowImust sound crazy, butI’ma hands-on learner.Sexisn’t something you can just learn from a textbook.Actually, scratch that—<i ss="calibre2">you can</i>.Idid.Whichis probably whyI’mso awkward at it.Finnis confident in the thingsI’mnot, soIfigured he could teach me what men want and how to have a decent sex life.”
Lennoxtries to control her smile. “Soyou asked a man you barely knew to have sex with you for tips?”
“Prettymuch.”Icover my eyes. “It’snot my usual style, butI’venever been able to just talk to a guy so easily.Andplus, sorry,Iknow he’s your cousin, butFinnis beyond hot.”Idrop my hands and shrug innocently. “Isaw an opportunity.Iseized it.ButIpromise,Ihave nothing devious nned.We’rejust friends helping each other out.”
Lennoxturns her lips down and nods slowly. “Okay, let’s pretend this won’t end in a total disaster.Whathappens at the end of summer?Thisis thest question of my interrogation.Ipromise.”
Igive her a small smile.Ilike that she’s protective ofFinn.Itmakes me immediately like her. “Igo home, move out of my apartment with my ex, and feel good about dating again.Hopefully, by thenIhave enough confidence to eventually attract a guy who doesn’t see a life with me as<i ss="calibre2">settling</i>.Meanwhile, you andFinnare so busy with bookings you’ll be quietly cursing me for making you guys so busy and rich.”Iraise my brows. “Soundfair?”
Shetips her mug in my direction. “Icould work with rich.IthinkIlike you,Avery.Iofficially approve of this whole situation.”Shenudges my te toward me. “Youmay eat your snack in peace.”
Lennoxjoins me inughter.Whenwe catch our breath,Iadd, “Justso you know,Ido considerFinna friend.Ihave no expectations and there are no hearts at risk.We’rehelping each other get…unstuck,Isuppose.”
“Ithink<i ss="calibre2">we</i>should be friends,”Lennoxsays, raising her brows. “Imean, you andFinncan’t just fuck all the time.”
<i ss="calibre2">Ibeg to differ.I’mno longer sore.Iwill live underneath that man…or on top of him…or on my knees…</i>
“You’reliving here all by yourself whileDexis away?”
Inod. “Well, my best friend was supposed to visit now and then, but she’s an actress and she booked a rolest minute and hightailed it toNewMexicowith myJeep.”
Lennoxwidens her eyes in surprise. “You’rehere alone with no car?”
Inod in reply.
“Damn, babe, that’sme.”
“I’mokay,”Isay. “WalmartandTargetwill deliver most anything andIgo on quick walks in the morning before the heat bes unbearable, soIget out of the house on asion.AndFinntook me to dinner the other night.”
Lennoxrolls her eyes. “I’mliberating your imprisoned ass.”Shechugs her coffee and at first,I’mimpressed, but thenIremember how much creamIput in there.I’msure her drink is barely warm. “I’mheaded toTownSquare.NotthatIcan afford anything there, but my credit card is a little dusty.I’mgoing to go make some bad decisions inSephora.Wanttoe?”
Igesture around my eyelids. “Ifyou teach me how to do a smoky eye like yours,I’ll<i ss="calibre2">buy</i>some makeup for you.Ican’t figure out how to blend it properly.Ies out looking likeIfailed miserably when trying to cover up a ck eye.”
Lennoxchuckles. “Ah, it’s all about the blending brush.AndIhave a trick that involves scotch tape.Comeon.I’llshow you what brushes to get.Let’sgo.”Sherises, her chair screeching against the wood floor.
“Um…”Myshirt is stain-free at least, but it’s still frumpy and two sizes too big.It’sfrom a 5k charity event thatImost definitely did not run.Ivolunteered to hand out little water bottles at the end of the race. “Doyou want me to change?”
Shesquints one eye at me. “Um,” she mimics, “that’s a weird question.Do<i ss="calibre2">you</i>want to change?Ican wait.”
“Oh,I…Idon’t know.IsTownSquarefancy?Idon’t want to embarrass you.”Ince down at my frayed blue jean shorts.Ihate wearing shorts.Mylegs are not tan or toned.Theybelong in the security ofpression yoga pants.Butit’s so damn hot here.Whatchoice doIhave?
“Areyou nning on participating in a sh mob while we’re out?”
“Definitelynot.”
Shepops her shoulders. “Thenhow the hell would you embarrass me?”Lennoxthrows her head back as she lets out a breathyugh. “I’mgoing to pull my car around.Wantto meet me out front in five?Oh, and that needs to go in the fridge,” she says, pointing to the pink box on the counter. “Theicing has cream cheese in it.”
Thefront door closes with a click andIfind myself for the first time in a long time, looking forward to a girls’ day out.Iput my cinnamon rolls into the fridge as instructed and collect my purse and keys before passing byCherry’stank.
<i ss="calibre2">Sorry, girl, have a good day.Iwon’t be watching you all day like a sad, old spinster fishdy.</i>
Iapparently have ns.