by Mia Ford
At home, Angela was making a batch of sangria. She poured some into a glass and held it out towards me.
“Rough day?”
I rolled my eyes and took a sip. It was good, and I closed my eyes as I savored the fruity tastes bursting on my tongue.
“It was okay,” I said. I shrugged and carried my glass into the living room before flopping down on the couch.
“What happened?” Angela narrowed her eyes. “You nervous about tomorrow?”
I blushed. “Yeah,” I said. I wrinkled my nose. “I dunno. Someone I work with said something kind of odd to me.”
Angela snickered. “Oh, girl,” she said. “Like what?”
“It was Andy,” I explained. “You know, that guy I had coffee with last week.”
“He totally has a thing for you,” Angela said.
I laughed. “That can’t be true,” I said. “I think he’s just bored and I’m there, you know? Like he wouldn’t approach me if we didn’t work together every day.”
Angela shook her head. “You’re so naïve,” she said. “He totally wants you.”
My stomach twisted into a knot. “Well, whatever, he told me I was hot and cold with him.”
Angela laughed. “See, girl? He’s totally got it for you, and he’s mad that you’re not draping yourself all over him.”
“Ew!”
“Well, it’s true, he probably wants to sleep with you,” she said smugly, taking a long sip of her drink. “He probably senses there’s some other dude in your life. Men are like that. They can practically smell competition from a mile away.”
I flushed hotly. “Mr. March isn’t anything like Andy,” I said. “And that’s a good thing – definitely.”
“So, why’d you ask him to coffee if you don’t really like him?”
I bit my lip. “I felt guilty.”
“June!”
“What?”
“That’s such a dumb reason,” Angela said. She rolled her eyes. “You can’t do that! It just leads guys on.”
“Well, I felt bad that he asked me out and I said no, so I thought I’d make things right by asking him out.”
“God,” Angela sighed. “You are never gonna learn!”
I frowned. “It was just a coffee thing,” I said. “It didn’t even feel like a date. Besides,” I added. “We ran into Hannah – that assistant that Mr. March has.”
“And another thing,” Angela said sternly. “You’ve got to stop calling him Mr. March! He’s going to be your boyfriend soon.”
I blushed hotly. “It just doesn’t feel right,” I said. “He’s so much older than I am.”
Angela groaned. “Girl, you are going to have so much fun with him. Just please, relax and promise that you’ll start calling him Thomas.”
I could feel my blush deepening into a bright crimson. “Okay.”
“And don’t ask out that other guy again, what’s his name?”
“Andy,” I supplied.
“Yeah, Andy. You stay away from him. If he asks you out again, tell him something came up and you’re no longer available.”
“It doesn’t seem right to lie,” I said slowly. My stomach churned just thinking about it. “I’m sure he could tell.”
Angela sighed in exasperation. “Trust me, June, if he calls you on your lie…is that really the kind of guy you want as a boyfriend?”
I wrinkled my nose. “I guess not.”
“Good,” Angela said. “Now come with me.” She stood up and brushed her hands off on her jeans.
“Where are we going?”
“My room,” Angela said triumphantly. “If you’re out with this silver fox, you’d better have something good to wear.”
I bit my lip. “Oh, you’d really do that?”
“Duh,” Angela said. She rolled her eyes for emphasis. “June, you’re going to kill it on this date. Just trust me, girl. If it goes well, he’ll probably ask you for a second date before he even takes you home. He’s older, men that age don’t like to play games.”
I nodded. “I hope you’re right,” I said softly. “Because I like him so much. I get butterflies in my stomach just listening to his voice.”
Angela pretended to swoon. I threw a couch cushion at her and it bounced off her head. We collapsed in peals of laughter over our sangria – the alcohol was starting to relax me, and take the edge off of some of my nervousness. I didn’t really like being drunk – I’ve only been drunk twice in my life – but a glass of wine (or in this case, sangria) was always nice after a long day.
Angela led me into her room and I flopped on the bed as she opened her closet doors. Immediately, she began grabbing dresses and tossing them towards me. I laughed and dodged the barrage of fabrics as Angela turned around, breathless and excited.
“This one would be perfect,” she said, raising an eyebrow and holding up a tight, black cocktail dress.
“Oh my gosh, no way,” I said, shaking my head. “I couldn’t wear something like that!”
“Why the hell not?” There was a devilish gleam in Angela’s eye. “This would look so great on you, June!”
I blushed. “It’s so tight.” I wrinkled my nose. “Mr. Mar—I mean, Thomas, would think that I was just trying to have sex with him.”
Angela laughed. “Well, you do, right?”
“No!”
“Really?” Angela laughed. “I doubt that, June.”
I colored deeply. “I mean, yeah, I do,” I said softly. “But I want more than that. I want to get to know him.” I swallowed – a lump had been forming in my throat ever since Thomas had first asked me on a date. “I don’t just want him to think that I want him for sex.”
Angela rolled her eyes. “You’re so principled,” she said with a snicker. “But fine, point taken.” Tossing the black cocktail dress on the floor, she started combing through her closet once again. I sat awkwardly on her bed, watching as Angela fumbled with different dresses and outfits, all while making noises under her breath.
After what felt like an eternity, Angela turned to me and held up a green silk dress. “This would be so pretty with your eyes,” she said. “And you’re so pale, you’d look really pretty.”
I bit my lip. “I don’t know….”
“What?” Angela rolled her eyes. “What’s wrong with this one?”
“It’s low in the bust.” I blushed. “I don’t want to make myself look slutty.”
“June!” Angela sighed loudly. “Come on. It’s a gorgeous dress.” She walked closer and dropped it in my lap. The rich silk slithered down to the ground and I picked it up, gazing at it with skepticism.
“Just try it on,” Angela encouraged. “Come on. For me?”
I sighed. “Fine,” I said. “But I’m not making any promises.”
Angela grinned. “You don’t have to,” she said cheekily. “Just try it on and have a look.”
Although the dress looked big, I had a hard time getting it on and zipping it up myself. When I looked in the mirror of Angela’s bathroom, I gasped.
“What? What’s wrong?” Angela came rushing in before I could stop her. “June, what happened?”
“Nothing,” I said. I couldn’t suppress my smile any longer. “It’s perfect.”
Angela grinned. “I told you,” she said.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from my reflection in the mirror, even though I knew that was vain. The green silk perfectly set off my green eyes, pale skin, and black hair. I didn’t look like June Rogers anymore – I looked like a real woman, someone confident and sexy. The dress wasn’t overly complicated – just a simple, sleeveless A-line. But it made my waist look nipped in and the skirt billowed around my legs, making them look shapely and much smaller than I was used to seeing.
The kind of woman who would be perfect for Mr. Thomas March.
“You’d really let me borrow this?”
“Oh, my god, yes,” Angela said.
I cocked my head to the side. “This had to be expensive,” I said, fingering the fo
lds of the skirt as it swished around my hips. Somehow, the silk had a sensual feel that made me feel…sexy.
“I don’t care, I know you’ll take care of it,” Angela said. “Besides, you’re my best friend. I want you to succeed.”
I threw my arms around Angela and hugged her tightly.
“You’re the best,” I said softly. “And I won’t forget it.”
Angela grinned. “I know,” she said.
We burst out laughing. At least I could always take comfort in her. No matter what happened with Thomas, I’d still have my best friend.
Chapter Six
June
Friday seemed to take forever. After school, I rushed home and gave myself a quick manicure and pedicure, in pale pink, my favorite color. Angela had taken the dress to the dry-cleaners, and it was hanging on the back of my door.
I nervously killed two hours watching reruns of television, barely even paying any attention. The second the clock hit seven, I wriggled into Angela’s dress, then applied two coats of mascara, lipstick, and a little blush. When I looked in the mirror, I couldn’t believe the girl I saw.
I just hoped Thomas would like her, too.
At twenty-five past, I spritzed on some perfume, grabbed my clutch, and shoved my feet into a pair of Angela’s black patent platform pumps. Her feet were slightly bigger than mine and for a moment, I wobbled nervously as I walked into the foyer of our apartment. I’ve got this, I thought, trying to stay positive. I can do this.
As I walked outside, my heart was pounding like a nervous drum. I bit my lip and glanced up and down the block, looking for any sign of Thomas.
I didn’t have to wait long. At seven-thirty on the dot, a silver Porsche cruised by the building and braked hard. Seconds later, Thomas climbed out from behind the driver’s seat and beamed at me. He was so handsome that it almost hurt to look. His silvery hair was pushed back and he was clad in a black button-down shirt and black slacks.
“Hi,” I said, blushing furiously and biting my lip.
“Hey yourself,” Thomas said. He winked at me. “You look stunning. I’ve never seen that before. New?”
My blush deepened and I was glad it was twilight.
“I borrowed it from my roommate,” I confessed with a small laugh. “I don’t really need stuff like this for school.”
Thomas laughed – it was a nice, deep sound – and grinned. “No, I guess not,” he said. “But damn. Your kids would really pay attention if you did.”
My cheeks hurt from smiling as I walked carefully to the car, making sure not to wobble too much in my borrowed heels. Thomas opened the passenger door and held it open for me, carefully tucking the silk of my skirt inside before closing it. When his skin brushed against mine, I shivered.
“So, I thought we’d go to Daniel,” Thomas said.
I giggled nervously. “I have to admit, I’ve never heard of that place.”
“You’ll love it,” Thomas said confidently. “It’s French, and very new.”
Oh, no, I thought nervously. I don’t know how to read French!
“Don’t worry, everything is fantastic,” Thomas said. He steered the Porsche smoothly down the street. Being there, in the car with him, I could barely remember to breathe. In Angela’s silk dress, I slid sensually against the black leather seat. It was all too much to take in. The sound of Thomas’s voice made me shiver every time he spoke.
“I’m really glad you asked me out,” I said softly, taking a nervous gulp. “I…I don’t really date much.”
Thomas chuckled. He reached across and briefly rested his hand on my bare knee before shifting the car into a different gear.
“I’m glad you said yes,” he said, his voice booming through my chest. “I’ve been wanting to ask you out ever since we first met.”
I licked my lips. By the time Thomas took his hand away from my knee, I was trembling with excitement.
“Are you okay?” Thomas eyed me. “Are you always this quiet?”
“No! I mean, yes,” I babbled, blushing deeply. “I mean, sorry. No. I’m just nervous.” I glanced down at my hands twisted tightly in my lap. “Like I said, I don’t really date much.”
“I don’t mind,” Thomas said. Now his voice was lighter, teasing.
“Good.” I gulped again.
“June, are you nervous being with me?” Thomas glanced at me, raising an eyebrow.
Yes, I thought quickly.
“Um,” was all I could say.
“Don’t be nervous,” Thomas said. He smiled. “I promise, I’m not some big bad wolf.”
No, I thought. You’re just gorgeous and rich and sexy and I can’t believe you’d want anything to do with a little nerd like me.
“I am, a little,” I said quietly. I glanced out the window and watched the shops and restaurants whizzing by. The warm, leathery Porsche felt like a different world, somehow like I was seeing everything in Manhattan for the first time.
“Would it help if I said that I’m nervous, too?”
“What?” I narrowed my eyes and whirled around in the seat. “Why?”
Thomas laughed. “Because I haven’t dated in a long time,” he said. “Probably fifteen years or so.”
I blinked. “You…you haven’t dated since the divorce?”
“No,” Thomas said. He swallowed. “I didn’t want to jump back in right away, you know,” he said. “The divorce was such a headache, it took all of my energy. I didn’t think that would be very fair.”
“I see.”
“And besides, it’s not going to be easy for Brett,” Thomas added in a low voice. He pulled the car over to a little area marked ‘valet.’ I blinked – the outside of Daniel was as beautiful as a luxury hotel.
“I know,” I said quietly. “He…he hasn’t been taking this well.”
“No,” Thomas said dryly. “And I’d want to ease him into the idea that I’m seeing someone.”
“Especially his teacher,” I added in a quiet voice.
Thomas laughed. “June, don’t worry about it,” he said. “This is just a first date. I’ll handle Brett, okay?”
I nodded.
A tuxedoed valet swooped down and pulled open the passenger door. I was careful to keep my knees together as I climbed out of Thomas’s fancy Porsche. Once I was on the ground, I wobbled once again and almost fell but steadied myself with a hand against the car.
“These are my roommate’s, too,” I said, giving a guilty glance down to my heels.
Thomas laughed. “I’d like to see your closet,” he said. “But I have to admit, that dress is perfect for you.” He reached out and swept my black hair across the nape of my neck. The slightest touch of his fingers made the hair on the back of my neck stand up and I shivered.
“Thank you,” I said softly. “That means a lot.”
Thomas grinned. He offered me his arm and after a moment, I accepted.
“Wouldn’t want you tumbling down,” he said with a smirk.
I blushed as Thomas led me inside. The inside of Daniel was breathtakingly beautiful, with elegant marble and gold fixtures everywhere I looked. The plush red carpet under my heels felt like walking on a lush bed of grass, and the ceilings were so high that I felt tiny, like a dwarf.
“Like it?” Thomas gave me a bemused smirk.
“I love it,” I said, craning my neck and glancing all around. “This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen!”
Thomas nodded. “I love it, too,” he said. “I hosted a business dinner here last month and everyone agreed that it was phenomenal. I hope you like escargot,” he added with a smirk.
I blushed. “I don’t know what that is,” I said quietly.
Thomas gave me a wicked grin. “We’ll order some and let you decide for yourself,” he said.
A beautiful brunette hostess gave Thomas a warm smile. When she saw me, it faded a little. She was poured into a tight black dress – much like the one I’d rejected from Angela – and as she led us to our table, I couldn’
t help but notice that she was salaciously swinging her hips from one side to the other.
I had to bite the inside of my mouth so I wouldn’t roll my eyes. Thomas was so gorgeous that I knew he was probably used to this kind of attention, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t find it rude.
After we were seated, the brunette turned to Thomas and gave him a megawatt grin.
“Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“No, thank you,” Thomas said. His voice was polite but his eyes were firmly fixed on me. I blushed hotly.
The hostess’s smile faded. “Of course,” she said. Then she turned on her heel and sashayed away, showing off her perfectly heart-shaped butt.
“She was pretty,” I said quietly once the hostess had left.
“I didn’t notice,” Thomas said. He winked at me. “I’m here with you, remember?”
I blushed.
We hadn’t been seated for more than two minutes when another very attractive woman came up to the table and smiled.
“Hello, my name is Katharine and I’ll be your server tonight,” she said with a smile. I frowned when I realized her whole body was turned to face Thomas. It wasn’t like she didn’t even realize I was there.
“We’d like to start with a bottle of the ’93 pinot noir,” Thomas said smoothly. He turned to me. “June, do you like red wine?”
I nodded. Katharine turned, too. When she saw me, she smiled.
“It’s so nice that you’re taking your daughter out to dinner,” Katharine cooed to Thomas. “I can’t tell you how much I love seeing that.”
My cheeks were burning red and tears sprang to me eyes. Thankfully, Thomas laughed politely and shook his head.
“June is my date for the evening,” he said. “She isn’t my daughter.”
Katharine’s smile vanished. She glared at me, almost as if she were angry that Thomas wasn’t single.
“Oh,” she said shortly. “I’ll be right back with your wine.”
After she left, Thomas laughed. When he saw that I wasn’t smiling, he reached across the table and put his hand on my shoulder.