Page 92 of Why Not Both?

“Cheese bread?” she asks.

“Yeah. Vic said to make my favourite so.”

I pull the sticky dough out of the mixer and drop it onto my already-floured counter. I knead and punch the dough into submission and then drop it back into the bowl, covering it with some cheesecloth. I clean my mess and then go into my room to dress and convince my lazybones dog to get up. It only takes a bribe of one cookie and his ball to get him to follow me out the door. After an hour of exercise, we go back to the apartment. I grate cheese and then roll out the dough, shaping it into the loaf I want before placing it in a pan and covering it again.

Sophie and Daze are both awake now, drinking coffee at the dining table.

“What do I wear?” I ask.

“I’m certain Spencer isn’t going to care at all,” Daze says.

“We’re going to his father’s house.”

Both of them gape at me.

“It’s some kind of tradition. He’s really upset about it. He doesn’t have a good relationship with his father.”

Sophie purses her lips, considering. “Well, do you want to look respectable or hot?”

“Both. Respectable for the dad, hot for Spencer.”

Sophie and Daze grin at each other and then they go into my room. I follow and watch as they open my closet and sort through pulling out a flowy black skirt and my favourite red top. It has a scooped neckline and thick straps, the fabric soft and clingy.

Daze rummages through my top drawer and pulls out my sheer, black, thigh-high stockings and a pair of lacy black underwear and the matching bra.

“No one is going to see the underwear,” I say.

“Can’t hurt,” she responds.

I roll my eyes but take them. After the bread is finally in the oven, I get into the shower, taking my time to wash my hair and shave. I tell myself I shave my legs mostly because the stockings will be itchy if I don’t.

When I leave my bedroom again, dressed, with just some mascara and red lipstick on, I do a little spin to show them the full effect.

“Outstanding,” Daze says. “Now. What are you doing with your hair?”

“I was just going to clip it up. Like I usually have it.”

They both stare at me, and I can see they think they’re missing something.

“Spencer likes to steal the clip from my hair,” I finally say.

They break out into laughter.

“Oh, Lis,” Daze says, standing. She places her hands on my shoulders. “You need to admit to yourself that you are in love with this man.”

“I—We’re just—”

“Friends. I know. So are me and Sophie.” She pats my cheek and I finish rushing around, gathering what I need.

Then, I’m out the door and walking the fifteen minutes to his apartment. When I arrive, I send Vic a text saying I’m here.

Vic: Come on up.

When I get to their apartment, she opens the door for me.

“He’s just getting dressed. I’m afraid he doesn’t know you’re coming.”

“Why not?”

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