Page 39 of The Friend Zone
Tamika hoisted the skirt of her dress higher and stepped off the platform. “I’m all ears.”
Dana explained how they went back to her place to eat, how his foot massage turned her on, and what happened as a result. “I’m happy, but… cautious.”
“What do you mean you’re cautious? Omar is fine, rich, and he gave you multiple orgasms in one night. Hello, what’s the problem?” Tamika asked.
“For one, he’s supposed to be my friend. What if we don’t work out? Then I’ve lost a friend.”
“You won’t lose him,” Layla said.
Tamika nodded her agreement.
Dana gnawed her bottom lip. On the ride over, outside the glow of spending time together, she thought long and hard about their situation. She didn’t consider herself the jealous type, but women threw themselves at him all the time.
“I’ve lost track of the number of women he’s dated over the years since Athena broke his heart, and I have to wonder, does he want to hook up with me, like he has those other women, or does he want more?”
“Areyoulooking for more?” Layla asked.
Dana sat with the question for a while, and her friends remained quiet, allowing her to run through her thoughts.
“Thirty days ago, I would’ve said no. I met so many duds, I’d decided to give up on men for a while. Then I met Sheldon and changed my mind. I did want more, but not with him or anyone else. I wanted a relationship with Omar. But he dates models and actresses. I’m a freaking English professor who’s comfortable in oversized sweatshirts and cargo pants. I’m not his type.”
“Are you sure?” Layla said. “Because you guys literally had sex, so you actually seem to be his type.”
Tamika chimed in. “Personally, I think you need to stop overthinking this. You know Omar, you like him, and you definitely have chemistry.”
Dana nodded. Tamika could be impulsive, but in this instance, she was probably right.
The saleswoman reentered the dressing room with a lacy dress hanging over her arm.
Uh-oh. The style was not among the ones Tamika liked.
Her friend simply stared. “What is that?”
“Remember what I said about keeping an open mind,” the saleswoman said.
Tamika pursed her lips. “Okayyy.”
“I’ll help you into the dress, and then we’ll see what you and your friends think.” The redhead walked off toward the changing area, and Tamika scowled over her shoulder at her friends, telepathing her annoyance.
“Lord, please don’t let her kill the saleswoman,” Layla muttered.
With a quiet snicker, Dana popped a cube of cheese in her mouth and settled in to wait.
When Tamika returned, she stepped onto the platform and both Dana and Layla gaped at the stunning picture she made. Instead of the voluminous skirt of the ball gown, the saleswoman picked a mermaid design. The dress hugged the contours of Tamika’s hips in lace before the almost sheer skirt flowed to the floor with a lace-trimmed hemline. In addition to the neckline of the lace bodice dipping to her waist, a lace cape covered her shoulders and added drama to an already breathtaking concept.
“She can remove the cape for the reception,” the saleswoman said, and proceeded to do so, which showed off thin lace straps and left Tamika’s back exposed.
“What do you think?” Tamika asked in a thick voice. Her emotion-filled eyes were shiny with tears.
Both Layla and Dana left the sofa and went to stand on either side of her.
“Anton’s definitely going to cry. Heck, I want to cry,” Dana laughed, wiping her wet eyes.
“You were right,” Tamika said to the saleswoman.
The redhead simply smiled.
“You look amazing,” Layla said, blinking back tears.
