by Codi Gary
“I see you’re getting a lot done today.”
Sarah’s statement startled Anna Beth so badly, she knocked over the iced coffee she’d made, which scared Mittens who took off down her back, digging sharp claws into her skin.
“Ow! Shit.”
“I’m so sorry! Did she hurt you?”
Anna Beth quickly picked up her laptop and moved it to the counter before the drifting rivers of mocha reached it. “I’m fine, really. I’m just having a hard time concentrating.”
After cleaning up the spilled coffee, she pulled down the back of her shirt and turned. “Any blood?”
“Not that I can see. Want me to clean them anyway?”
Anna Beth shook her head. “Nah, I’m okay.”
“Do you want to come with me and Ernie to the farmer’s market this morning? Some fresh air might do you good.”
The last few days, her aunt and Ernie had gone out of their way to include her in all of their plans, even a movie night watching White Christmas. Although it dropped her Christmas movies down to twenty-three, catching her aunt’s boyfriend nuzzling her neck had been ninety-shades of awkward.
“As much as I like Ernie, I'd feel like a third wheel and besides, I need to work. I haven’t written anything in days.”
“I think what you need is a day to get out of your head and blow off some steam. Why don’t you call Olive and do something fun? A little female companionship cures the mopes like nothing else.”
“I’m not moping,” Anna Beth grumbled.
“Yes, I can see you're the picture of happiness. My mistake.”
“You know this cheery, smart ass you’ve become? I’m not sure I’m loving her.” When Sarah’s face fell, Anna Beth apologized immediately. “I’m just kidding. I’m not in the frame of mind to be funny. Sorry, I'm being a grouch.”
Sarah bounced back with a sympathetic frown. “I understand. Just don’t sit around all day staring at that screen. You are a brilliant writer, but you have to go out amongst people to get real experiences.”
“I promise not to be a hermit. Now, go have fun. I need to find Mittens and see how traumatized she is.”
“She’ll get over it.” Her aunt leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Have a good day, my dear.”
“You too,” Anna Beth said softly. Everytime Sarah showed her any kind of warmth or affection, she got choked up.
She needed to get a handle on her emotions, before she lost it in front of the wrong person.
The front door closed behind Sarah and Anna Beth went in search of Mittens, who had her face buried in her kibble. “I guess you’re alright.”
Music blared from her cell phone in the other room and Anna Beth raced to answer it before it stopped ringing.
“Hello?”
“It’s your favorite person in the whole world,” Olive said.
“You don’t sound like Reece Witherspoon.”
“Very funny. What are you doing today?”
She glanced at her computer, knowing the words weren't coming. “Absolutely nothing, why?”
“Wanna go to Tammy’s and get glammed up for a girl’s night out?”
Did Sarah call her? Were the two of them conspiring?
“We’re having a girl’s night? Where?”
“Fire and Ice Pub has karaoke on Thursdays and free cover if you have boobies!”
Anna Beth groaned. “Karaoke?”
“No, you said it wrong. Your voice is supposed to go up three octaves with a clear inflection of excitement in your tone. Karaoke!”
Anna Beth did not sing in public, but maybe going shopping would get her out of her funk. “I tell you what, I’ll meet you at Tammy’s and we’ll see where it goes from there. Deal?”
“Sounds fair, but just know, the karaoke is going to get you.”
“See you soon, goob.”
Anna Beth showered and threw on a sweater with a pair of distressed jeans. Mittens curled up in a ball on her bed, one giant foot covering her face, a spot of pink from her antibiotics stuck to the fur on her paw. Anna Beth bent over and kissed the kitten’s soft belly, smiling when she heard the low rumble of her purr.
“Alright, baby, I’ll be back a little later. Behave.”
Mittens didn’t even open her eyes as Anna Beth left the room. She sat in her car for ten minutes, waiting for it to warm up and checked her phone. The last text she’d received from Jared at six in the morning featured a bear, poking his head out of a dumpster while "good morning, brunch?" flashed across the screen. She hadn’t bothered to respond. If he couldn’t shoot her a personal message, he could sit on read.
What the heck did he expect? It had been a long time since she’d been with another man, but she didn’t remember dating being quite this hard. Then again, her best friend preferred to hook up with someone she loathed rather than have a meaningful relationship, so maybe Anna Beth was the crazy one.
Fifteen minutes later, she walked into Tammy’s shop and found Olive holding up two sheer baby doll negligees, one in green and the other in red.
“I really think I like the green one,” Olive said.
Tammy stood in front of her with her hands on her hips, her sassy mohawk shimmering with silver glitter. She wore a black top with the word "CHEERS" in sequins and her pants were black with silver paint splatters all over them.
“I wouldn’t lie to you, baby girl. Buy the red one. His tongue will fall out of his head when he sees you in it.”
Tammy caught sight of Anna Beth and waved her forward. “Anna Beth, back me up. Red over green, don’t you agree?”
Olive turned her way and waved the two nighties at her. “Seriously, which one?”
Anna Beth looked between the two and smiled sheepishly. “I like the red.”
“Whoo hoo!” Tammy crowed.
“Damn it!” Olive said. “I know it’s hot but the green is so pretty.”
“Why don’t you get them both?” Anna Beth asked. “Let whoever you’re wearing them for decide.”
Tammy tapped one of her perfectly manicured nails to her lip thoughtfully. “I like it.” Tammy held out her arms. “Bring it in, you!”
Anna Beth laughed and hugged the other woman. She loved Tammy’s warm, exuberant nature.
“Now, what can I do for you?” Tammy asked.
“We’re doing a girl’s night tonight and Anna Beth needs something sexy.” Olive did a little shimmy for emphasis.
Anna Beth rolled her eyes. “I really don’t.”
“Why not?” Tammy asked.
“Why not, what?”
“Why don’t you need something sexy? It’s alright to dress up and embrace your sexuality. Let me ask you something, do your bra and panties match?”
Anna Beth sputtered. “I…well, I’m wearing…”
Tammy looked up toward the ceiling, as though praying for strength. “I don’t even know why I asked, I can tell by your uni-boob you’re wearing a sports bra and, girl, no man wants to take off your shirt and see that underneath.”
“I’m not showing any man my bra,” Anna Beth huffed.
Olive set her lingerie down on the counter. “Do you see what I’m dealing with?” Tammy nodded sympathetically and Olive took Anna Beth’s shoulders in her hands. “My friend, you are in desperate need of fun.”
“I have fun,” Anna Beth grumbled.
“No you have work. When is the last time you cut loose?”
Anna Beth bit her lip, wracking her brain for an answer that wouldn’t make her look pathetic.
“That’s what I thought,” Olive said.
Tammy nodded. “When you are getting dressed, you need to beautify yourself from the inside out. Lotion, lingerie that makes you feel confident, and don’t forget to shave your legs. No man wants to snuggle up to a polar bear.”
Anna Beth laughed. Her legs were stubbly with several days growth and her underwear did not match. She’d fail Tammy’s confidence test for sure.
“I can tell by your expression you need me desperatel
y.” Tammy took Anna Beth by the arm and led her to the fitting rooms, unlocking one of the doors for her. “Go inside and I’ll bring you some bras. 36D?”
“Man, you are good.”
“It’s my job, dear. Just think of me as your fairy godmother, but with better style. I’m going to Bibbity Bobbity Boo you to fab town.”
Tammy closed the door and Anna Beth sat down on the leather bench, releasing a heavy sigh. She took off her shoes, trying to get in the mood for a fashion montage. It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to buy some new bras and panties. Most of her panties came from a multi-pack.
She was standing in her bra and undies when Tammy knocked.
“I’ve got some things for you, Anna Beth.”
Anna Beth opened the door a few inches, but the stack of items Tammy held was too large to fit through. She opened it wider and Tammy looked down, gasping.
“What are those?”
“My underwear?”
“Oh, honey, women who wear that underwear either hate sex, or are experiencing that time of the month.” She shook her head in disappointment, the spiky mohawk unflinchingly stiff. “This is worse than I thought. I’m going to look through our special section and pick out some styles to go with the bras I brought you. Let the beautification commence.”
When she closed the door again, Anna Beth stood there for several moments. Olive came back to check on her, knocking. “You alright in there?”
Anna Beth poked her head out with a scowl. “Tammy made fun of my underwear.”
“Are you wearing granny panties?”
“They’re briefs!”
“You deserve it.” Olive rolled her eyes. “Come on, A.B., stop being stubborn and try some things on. You’ll feel better, I promise.”
Anna Beth shut the door, silently grumbling as she tried on one of the lacy bras in electric blue and gray. She had to admit, her boobs looked amazing in it. Not that anyone else would admire them, but still, it was a pretty bra.
She slid on a black dress that hugged her body like a second skin. The cowl neck drooped low, showing off hints of cleavage when she moved.
“Anna Beth? You got something to show us?”
When she stepped out of the room, Tammy, Olive, and a few other ladies stared, awestruck, as she walked toward them.
“Is it too tight?”
Tammy’s hands flew to her mouth dramatically. “Oh my Graceland. You look fantastic. I have two more dresses you need to try and several tops.” Tammy flew to a rack, tossing several items over one arm with super speed. “If I’d known what you were hiding under that blue sweater, I’d have been better prepared.”
Olive stood off to the side, grinning. “You look beautiful, A.B. How do you feel?”
Anna Beth looked in the mirror, turning to the left and right.
“Better, actually. Much better.”
“Good,” Olive said. “This is just what you need to put Jared Cross out of your mind.”
“What about Jared Cross?” Tammy asked as she hung the items, she’d chosen inside Anna Beth’s dressing room.
Anna Beth shot Olive a desperate look, but she either didn’t see or ignored it because she kept talking. “He blew Anna Beth off because they were getting too close.”
Tammy clucked sympathetically. “I’m sorry, honey. Apparently, that’s his M.O., though.”
This piqued her interest. “What do you mean?”
“Just that his boots go under a lot of beds. Doesn’t date the same girl for long and usually gives him the old it’s not you, it’s me.” Tammy came out of the room with a grin. “Don’t get me wrong, I adore the man and he is charming as all get out, but...he’s kind of a tramp.”
Olive burst out laughing, but Anna Beth bit her lip. She couldn’t believe Jared would play with her, after everything they talked about. He wasn’t a jerk. Was he?
Her phone dinged with a new text message and she ducked inside the dressing room to read it.
Hey A.B. I’ve been thinking a lot about us. Wanna meet for lunch tomorrow and talk?
Olive poked her head in. “Is it him?”
“He’s asking me to lunch tomorrow.”
“Eff that with a toilet brush. He needs to sweat for a bit. Leave him on read. It will drive him crazy.”
Anna Beth wavered for a moment before setting her phone down. “You’re right. This is girl time. He can wait.”
Nineteen
Jared walked into Fire and Ice Pub on Thursday night ready to kick off his three-day weekend. Vance was already inside, getting the first round of drinks while Jared parked the car. He took a second to check his phone again while he headed for the front door. He’d sent Anna Beth a message, asking her if she was free for lunch tomorrow, but she hadn’t responded.
Can you blame her? You pulled away and have avoided a real conversation for days. Face it, jackass, you fucked up.
The music blared the instrumental intro to Jingle Bell Rock just before a woman belted an off-key rendition of the classic song. Karaoke could be entertaining, especially when people didn’t care how they looked or sounded doing it, and alcohol always helped with the not caring part.
Usually, Jared enjoyed hanging with Vance at the pub, but tonight, he’d rather be home with Rip, vegging out. But he couldn’t be alone with his thoughts, especially since they’d been berating him for days. He could have gone with the flow and seen how things with Anna Beth went, but oh no, the man with the plan had to overthink everything. And once again, he’d blown it.
Vance waved at him from the bar and Jared headed that way, weaving through the crowd. When he reached Vance’s side, his friend clapped him on the back.
“I ordered two whiskeys, so we can drink like real men.”
“Thanks, buddy. I’ve got next round.”
“I think I’m going to need it,” Vance said, staring at something past Jared’s shoulder.
Jared followed Vance’s gaze to the dance floor and saw Olive in a slinky white dress, her hands in the air, shaking her hips to a Mariah Carey song.
Jared shook his head. “Man, if you like Olive, why don’t you just tell her?”
“I don’t like Olive. We’re just having fun. She looks good though, right?”
Jared rolled his eyes. Vance could deny his feelings, but Jared knew he had a major thing for Olive. But he definitely didn’t need to give anyone advice on relationships.
“Alright, guys,” Cade Brighten said from behind them. “Two whiskeys. Enjoy.”
Jared grinned. “Thanks.”
“Speaking of friends, is that Anna Beth dancing with Olive?” Jared asked.
Jared searched the dance floor again. When he caught sight of her, Jared stopped breathing for a beat.
Anna Beth’s blonde hair swung around her shoulders in golden waves as she danced, her breasts bouncing beneath the red halter dress she wore. She had her hands in the air, waving them back and forth. Her joyful expression made the area around her light up too and Jared took a step toward her.
Vance caught his arm. “Whoa, where are you off to?”
“I was just going over to say hello.”
“That is not a 'hi' expression on your face. That is an 'I just saw something I want and I need to claim it' look and that never goes over well with the ladies.” Vance dropped his arm and picked up the whiskey glass. “I thought you weren’t talking to Anna Beth anymore.”
“What makes you say that?”
Vance cocked his left brow. “Because it’s been days since you mentioned her?”
“I don’t tell you everything going on with me.”
Vance clutched his chest. “That hurts, man. However, I’m going to let it go and give you some advice. She is not here with you. You need to hang back and out of her space unless she gives you an all clear signal to approach.”
Considering how bad he’d messed things up, he should've listened. Just nursed his whiskey slowly and silently, along with his frustrations. Instead, he downed it.
“Ready f
or the round two, I see.”
Jared flagged Cade down again and Vance nudged him. “Exactly what happened between you and Anna Beth.”
“She’s only here for three weeks and all I could think about was the speculation when she leaves. I got spooked.
“I hear you and I get it,” Vance said in a soothing voice.
“Oh, geez.”
“But seriously, what if this time around, you two form something great and she stays?”
“Pretty sure I blew it on that one. She’s not even responding to my texts.”
“What did you send?”
“A cute bear gif inviting her to brunch.”
Vance blinked at him before running a hand down his face. “You’re so dumb.”
Jared scowled. “Thanks.”
The song ended and Anna Beth and Olive hugged each other, laughing.
“Maybe all isn’t lost,” Vance said.
Anna Beth came his way with Olive close behind. Jared stood still, waiting for her to notice him.
Olive saw him first and gave him a smart salute.
“Officer Cross. Off duty, I see.”
Anna Beth’s gaze jerked up at the mention of his name, her green eyes narrowing. His mouth went dry and he nervously struggled for something clever to say.
“Jared.”
“Anna Beth.”
Olive looked between them and rubbed her arms. “Brrr, chilly. Glad I’m not you.”
Anna Beth glared at her. “Let’s get a drink.”
She stepped around Jared and leaned over the bar, the red material of her dress tightening across her ass.
“Sorry, man, but you’re screwed.”
“Not comforting, Vance.”
Anna Beth waved at the bartender emphatically. “Hey, Cade, we need drinks!”
Cade grinned from down the bar and winked. Anna Beth turned around, leaning back against the bar. The stance pushed her tits out, but Jared didn’t think she realized how seductive she looked. She smiled at something Olive said, her eyes heavily made up and not at all like her.
Jared glanced around, his jaw clenching when he realized every male within ten feet ogled her, including Vance.
Anna Beth finally met his gaze with an arch look. “You got something to say?”