Page 34 of Unmatched

My Google ads are homing in on my troubled life, offering me suggestions for everything from online therapists to erotic novelties, which puts a sour taste in my mouth. I swipe to clear my cache, make some attempt at erasing this evidence of my unhappiness. But then a familiar business name catches my eye: Allure Lingerie. The high-end intimates store in Cherry Creek. Vaguely, I remember Anton saying it’s where he got that black lace nightgown. He’s asked over and over if he could take me there to pick something out for myself, but the idea always made me uncomfortable. It seemed embarrassing to go in together, too obvious—to buy something for sex. Besides, I’m more of a T-shirt bra and jeans type of girl. I feel weird in fancy underwear.

But maybe that’s just what I need for this situation. I’ve already pretended to be the girl he thinks he wants. Why not dress up like her too? Embody her as I catch him “cheating” and tell him how screwed he is. The more I think about it, the more excited I get about this plan. There’s no time to order online, but I click on the Allure website, browsing to get ideas before I go into the store. There’s a whole “boudoir” section of the site that’s exactly what I’m looking for. Nothing I would ever in a million years have even tried on—till now. Maybe it’s sad that this is what’s going to get me through the door of the shop at last, but it’s a little poetic too. I find a few styles and favorite them, doubting they’ll look as good on me as they do on the models, but hoping for the right effect.

Then I pull up Unmatched on my phone, gripping it with clenched hands, and send a reply to MountainMan3’s last message. I can’t wait to get my hands on those luscious tits.

LonelyGirl8

I can’t wait to get my hands on you.

When I’m done, I turn off the light and snuggle down into our bed, trying to imagine his face when he enters the hotel room and sees me dressed up like his fantasy girl. Deep down, part of me still hopes Anton will change his mind Monday, and I’ll wind up spending a night in Colorado Springs alone.

But if he does show, if he forces me to go through with this, I plan to be everything he’s hoped for and dreaded.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I unclip Heartthrob’s leash and pick up my purse, glancing at the clock. Anton was up and out of the house hours ago after a brief, stilted exchange where I assured him my stomach had made a miraculous recovery. I guess that was enough for him to head to the gym like always. Normally on a Saturday, I would be at work by now, but the lingerie store doesn’t open until ten, so I decided to run some errands and take the dog for a walk since I’m leaving him home today. But it feels like I’m playing hooky.

My phone rings as I’m heading for the front door, and I cross my fingers it’s not my contractor calling with yet another setback on the new space. I can only take my life falling apart one piece at a time. But it’s not him, it’s Charlotte, my lawyer. “Lydia, I’m glad I caught you.”

“Hey Char, how are things? Did you get my email about the franchise question?” I cradle the phone between my ear and my shoulder, doubling back to the kitchen to give Heartthrob a treat before I leave.

“Yes. Though I had been hoping for a more serious reply,” she says gently.

I bite my lip, recalling my flippant wording. “Um...sorry, it was kind of late when I sent that.”

“I know you’ve got your hands full.”

“Well, to give you a real answer, I have honestly never considered turning either business into a franchise. I don’t think I’d even know how to go about that.” I pause, considering for a second. “Why do you ask?”

“I’m just trying to get a sense of your plans for both Ooh La Pooch and The Pooch Park moving forward,” she says. “An attorney has been poking around, asking me questions.”

“What kinds of questions?” I ask, frowning.

“Mostly general stuff. They won’t tell me much, so I’m not giving them much. But it sounds like someone may be interested in an acquisition.”

I snort. “Wait. Like, someone wants to buy one of my businesses?”

“Yes. I figured you wouldn’t be interested, but thought it was worth at least proposing the franchise idea.”

Heartthrob sits patiently in front of the pantry. I give him a sweet potato chew and lean back against the counter. “Who is the interested party?”

“I’m not sure yet,” Charlotte says in her easy, matter-of-fact way. “The attorney’s from out of town, and as I said, they’re pretty tight-lipped. I told them to bring us an actual offer and we could chat more.”

My shoulders release. “Oh, okay, so this isn’t like a real thing I have to deal with?”

“No, not yet,” she says in her most reassuring, motherly tone. “Don’t get too excited about it at all. People ask questions like this all the time and nothing comes of it. Just stay focused on what you’re doing, but keep in mind that you’re successful, and people see that. So maybe start thinking about what you want down the road.”

I let out a grateful sigh. I have enough on my plate right now. I can barely fathom what it’s going to be like trying to operate three business locations instead of two. Or what’s going to happen with my marriage after Monday. I have a feeling I might want to throw myself into work even more very soon. A lump rises in my throat. For a second I wonder if I should ask Charlotte for advice about dividing assets, but she’s not even the right kind of lawyer. And while I’m sure she could give me a referral, my chest tugs when I think about putting that into words just yet. Some hopeful, stupid part of me wants to see what happens first.

“I’ll give the future some thought,” I promise in a shaky voice. “But yeah, I’ve only started to build my businesses. If they do call back, you can tell them I’m definitely not selling.”

It’s just shopping. For clothes. In a store.

This is what I tell myself as I walk through the doors of Allure Lingerie in the posh Cherry Creek neighborhood. I hold my head high, trying to appear confident, like I belong, but as soon as my eyes hit the tasteful white furniture and elegant gold racks of bras and underwear, I imagine my mother suggesting what type of women probably shop here.

“Hello.” A tall, beautiful Black lady approaches me.

I glance up, and my mind goes blank. Apparently so does my face.

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