Page 12 of Double Play

I decide that I absolutely can’t keep this from Ripley. She’s been my best friend for over twenty years. She’ll smell the bullshit immediately. I trust her to keep the secret. I’m going to need to lean on her when things get tough, and I know they will.

I get home and explain everything that went down in the meeting. She sits there completely dumbfounded. “Wow. That’s one of the craziest stories I’ve ever heard.”

“I know. Please don’t tell the twins. They can’t keep asecret, especially Kam. Just let them think we met last night and are now dating.”

“No worries. Thanks for telling me.” She gives me a compassionate half-smile. “It’s not so bad to have to parade around town with that hottie. Maybe you’ll finally get some action.”

“I don’t want a guy like Layton Lancaster, Rip. He’s nothing but trouble. This is a business arrangement, that’s all. I need to give him that message loud and clear.”

“What do you have in mind?”

I smile. “I have a few ideas.”

After being pluckedand pampered for hours, I’m ready for our first public outing. Ripley smiles at me as I examine myself in the mirror in disbelief. “You look beautiful. Wow. Just, wow.”

The most eccentric man I’ve ever met, LeRond, brought over a very low-cut, turquoise, sequined dress that hits me above the knees.Wellabove the knees. Apparently, one of the owners, Auburn Bouvier, is a famous designer, and he designed this dress specifically for me. LeRond said that movie stars clamor for his creations and that I should feel honored to be wearing it.

LeRond had Ripley and me in stitches while he managed to touch me more intimately than any man has in over a year as he poured me into this dress. I don’t think he meant anything by it. His husband, Avery, was with him, helping.

My makeup has never looked this good in my life. My long, blonde hair is wavy and styled. I usually wear it up, but it’s down and looking its glowing best now.

I adjust the bustline. “I feel very exposed, like my nipple could pop out at any moment. You know I would never normally wear something like this.”

She claps her hands together in excitement. “I know. That’s why I love it. Stop fidgeting. Your tits look amazing, and they’re glued in. They’re not going anywhere. If I had your body, I’d walk around naked all the time.”

I give her an incredulous look. “What are you talking about? Youdowalk around naked all the time. I’ve seen your naked body more than my own this week. I know firsthand that you’re a natural redhead.”

We both giggle at the truth of my statement. Ripley often walks around naked, without bothering to cover up. I love her confidence. She wasn’t like that until after high school. Ripley is curvier and bigger boned than me. She always has been. Her being extremely self-conscious about her size and weight when we were growing up was a constant topic of conversation. I always reassured her, but she was uncomfortable in her own skin and would never reveal her body to anyone. That changed dramatically during and after college. She’s objectively beautiful, with curly red hair, and I think she must have garnered a lot of attention when she lived in Texas. It’s made her blossom, and I love to see it. She’s attractive and perfect just as she is, and she’s finally embracing that fact.

I can see her face light up in the mirror. “Admit you’re at least a little excited that you’re going out with the man whose posters you used to kiss when we were kids. I remember one of them being on the ceiling above your bed. You probably diddled Miss Daisy to him every night.”

I can’t stop the corners of my mouth raising just a bit. It’s true. I was undoubtedly looking at his face the first time I came. The first hundredtimes.

She places her hands on her hips and raises an eyebrow. “I thought so.”

I shake my head. “That’s in the past. Unfortunately, the personality doesn’t match the looks. This is a business arrangement to help our league. That’s it.” I’ll be saying that over and over in my head.

She pats my back in a condescending manner. “You keep telling yourself that, sweetie.”

Before I can respond, the doorbell rings. I run past her to answer it, as best as I can in these heels, and open the door to see Layton standing there in a traditional tuxedo fitted perfectly to his big body. Holy shit, he’s hot. He’s just so classically handsome.

His eyes move up and down my body. “Wow. You’re stunning.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Ripley knows we’re a bullshit couple, Layton. No need for fake compliments in front of her.”

He smirks. “Oh, well, then you’re ugly as fuck. Does that make you happy, sunshine?”

Ripley starts laughing hysterically. “I like him. You two have fun.” She kisses my cheek and whispers in my ear, “I’d fuck him in the limo if I were you. At least let him dally Miss Daisy.”

I roll my eyes at her antics.

Layton holds out his arm for me, but I shake my head. “No touching unless someone is watching.”

“Okay, but I find that someone isalwayswatching.”

I poke my head out and scan the hallway. No one is here.

Without grabbing his arm, I begin walking down the hallway mumbling, “Let’s get this shitshow on the road.”

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