Page 62 of Make It Without You

“Is that all I’m good for? Cooking you dinner?” I tickle his neck before his squirming gets to be too much and I have to set him down.

He runs to the living room and turns the TV on. I look at him and shake my head. Jenny snorts before getting back to her homework.

I riffle through the fridge for anything that’s defrosted. When I come up blank, I pull out a bag of chicken nuggets from the freezer and go about getting them cooked. While Jenny and Dylan are eating, I rush up to my room to get ready for my date.

At fifteen after, I head downstairs to say bye to Dylan. I give Jenny a knowing look when she does a weird dance in the kitchen. That generation is one I’ll never understand. I make sure I have enough blankets in the backseat and that the mattress pad isn’t too flat. When I’m satisfied, I peel out of my driveway and make the drive to Emily’s.

Emily

Iscrutinize my basic ripped jeans and black three-quarter long-sleeve shirt. Adam told me to dress casually, only I have no clue what that means. I’m either in work clothes, sweatpants, or workout clothes; there is no in-between for me. My hair falls in loose waves down my back and my makeup is light. I spritz some perfume on my pulse points and look over myself in the mirror again.

“You look hot, Emily.” Sarah says from her spot at my vanity.

With Kamryn whisked out of the country by Mason, I had no one to help me figure out what to wear. In one of our talks when she started college, Kam mentioned her roommate, Sarah, would help her figure out what to wear. So she’s my trusted stylist for the night.

“Are you sure?” I’ve never been so unsure of my choices.

“You’re a nervous little bird, Em. And it’s understandable. But I promise, whatever you wear is not going to deter him.”

My phone chimes with a text.

Adam: Headed your way. I’ll be there in ten minutes.

Me: Do I need a sweater?

Adam: Bring one just in case.

“He said to bring a sweater,” I muse as I head to my walk-in closet.

“Who needs a sweater in April?” Sarah’s question is muffled while I’m deep in my closet.

I find a thick cream cardigan that’ll pair well with my dark-wash jeans and black shirt. “Are heels too much?” I call out as I look through my shoe rack.

“Do you know who you’re asking?” Sarah quips back with a laugh.

“Silly me,” I call out as I grasp a broken-in pair of Christian Loubitans.

Walking out of my closet I toss my cardigan on the bed and slip my heels on. I take another look at myself in the mirror. My face has a new glow to it that can only be described as joy. And I can’t stop the smile that appears.

“Hot and happy,” Sarah muses as she watches me through the mirror.

My eyes meet hers in the reflection. “Thank you.”

“Em, you don’t need to thank me,” she says and peels herself off of the chair with a groan. “I’m gonna head out. My phone has been buzzing more than my vibrator and I need to take care of it.”

“The phone or your vibrator?” I ask when I turn around.

“Both, you silly girl.”

We walk to the door and she kisses me on the cheek before floating down the stairs. No sooner have I closed the door does my phone chime.

Adam: Out front.

Me: Be down in a minute.

I feed Biscuit her dinner, then slide my purse over my shoulder and fold my sweater over my arm. Locking up the door I head down to my first date in years. My heart matches the beat of my footsteps as I get closer to Adam and his truck. He’s waiting at the passenger door and the moment he hears my heels click on the pavement, his gaze travels up my body, warming me from the inside out as I see his eyes heat with pure lust.

“God, you’re ethereal,” he says when I’m a foot away from him.

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