Page 11 of Do Me
“What?” they both shouted, followed by a jumble of questions.
Londyn held her hand up. “He showed up at the office yesterday. Shawn hired his company to design and install a computer network, only I had no idea what he did until he walked in.”
Monique smiled. “That had to be interesting.”
“It was. At least on my part. Braxton barely acknowledged me.”
“Excuse me,” Felicia said with her hand on her hip. She waved a hand. “See, I can’t with these men.”
Londyn laughed. “Relax, sis. He explained that his first priority was his job, and he respected my privacy in case I didn’t want anyone to know.” Monique and Felicia stared with their mouths hanging open.
“Oh, hell, yeah! Braxton sounds like a keeper,” Felicia said, grinning.
“I don’t know about that, but we’re going out to dinner tonight. I was thinking something casual, since we don’t really know each other, but he said the first date is alwaysdressy.”
Felicia peeked at her watch. “What time is he picking you up?”
“Seven-thirty, why?”
“We need to go shopping and find you a dress that’ll make his eyes pop out…and a few other things. Come on, Nique. We’ve only got a few hours.”
Monique jumped up and retrieved thecharcuterie board as Londyn reached for a cracker and slice of cheese.“Hurry up and eat that.” She covered it with plastic wrap and stuck it in the refrigerator. “It needs to be something that hugs her curves,” she called out to Felicia.
“Hold up, y’all. I do not need to go shopping for another dress. I have some perfectly good options already in my closet.” They looked at her as if she’d lost her mind and shook their heads. Felicia handed Londyn her purse and jacket, then picked up her own belongings.
Monique retrieved a jacket from the front closet and grabbed her purse. She latched onto Londyn’s arm. “Let’s go.”
Knowing she didn’t have a choice, she donned her jacket and let them lead her out. Londyn always teased her two friends about being professional shoppers. They could spend an entire day going from mall to mall without missing a beat. Londyn, on the other hand, tended to search online first to get ideas before venturing into a store. That way she would already know what she wanted. Today, however, being with her shopaholic friends paid off. It had only taken them forty-five minutes to find a black long-sleeved asymmetrical crepe dress. It fit her like a glove, left one shoulder bare, stopped just above her knees, and had a front slit that gave a glimpse of her thighs when she walked.
“Okay, you were right,” she said, turning one way, then the other in the mirror.
Monique and Felicia shared a smile, and Felicia said, “I know. Now, we need shoes. This March weather is too cold for sandals, so pumps it is.”
Londyn paid for the dress, then they took the escalator down to the shoe department. She searched and discarded shoe after shoe.
“I found it.” Monique held up a silver rhinestone t-strap platform heel. “You need a little bling to liven up that black dress.”
“How tall is Braxton?” Felicia asked.
“Around six-two or three.”
“Good. Even with the four-inch heel, you’ll still be a good six inches shorter.”
Londyn asked an attendant for her size. She sat on one of the cushioned chairs and tried them on. They were a little higher than she typically wore and put a little pressure on her sore toe, but if they didn’t do much walking around she’d be fine.
“Since we shopped in record time, we have time to get a mani-pedi.”
She hooked her arm in Felicia’s. “I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.” Their excitement had rubbed off on her and she found herself anticipating her date a little more. Her cell rang. She released her friend’s arm and fished the phone out of her purse. Braxton’s name flashed on the display. “Hi, Braxton.” Monique and Felicia moved closer and she eased back, frowning at them. “What’s up?”
“I just wanted to let you know that our dinner reservations are at seven-thirty tonight. I’ll be there to pick you up at ten after seven.”
She gave him instructions where to park in her building. “I’ll be ready.”
“So will I,” Braxton said softly. “See you in a while.”
As soon as she hung up, her friends squealed in excitement, causing more than a few stares. “What is wrong with you two?” she whispered.
Felicia fanned herself. “Girl, if that man looks anything like his voice, you’d better figure out a way to keep him.”
