Page 70 of New Girl in Town
“What do I do now?” I asked, my voice quiet.
“You wear that thing to take a shower, that’s what. I’m talking 24/7. You do the yard work and go grocery shopping in that little number.”
“Melinda, I’m being serious.”
She pouted. “Oh, fine. You are no fun, you know?”
I gave an exasperated sigh and turned, throwing myself down on my couch. “Gee, I’m so sorry that my frustration over my life is getting in the way of a good joke.”
“Hey, I’m just kidding.” She came to stand beside the couch and touched my arm. “You know that right?”
“Yeah,” I mumbled, fiddling with my sweater. “I know.”
She took a seat beside me and bumped my shoulder with hers. “I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.” I looked at her and saw the worry in her eyes. “It’s okay, really. I’m just...stressed out about this, and now I feel dumb about agreeing to the movie and dinner thing with him.”
“Why though?”
“Why what?”
“Why feel dumb about it? Aurora, just admit it. You like this guy, and when I say that, we both know I mean low-key love. Why is it such a bad thing to give into that?”
“But—New York, and I—” I stopped myself when my words sounded weak to even myself. “Look, it’s just a little complicated right now.”
“I’m not saying that it doesn’t feel that way, but it doesn’t have to be that way if you go with the flow a little.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning that you go hang out with him tonight and just enjoy it.” She caught my hands in hers and squeezed them. “Can you do that for me? Just let yourself enjoy the night and be with a handsome, thoughtful, and incredibly rich man who wants to dote on you and give you heart eyes?”
I laughed at the earnest look on her face. “Yeah, I can do that.”
“Good. That’s my girl. Maybe have a little sex for me too?” she asked with feigned innocence.
I flicked a finger between us. “Okay, so this little heart to heart pep talk thing is overrrr.”
She grasped my hands in hers. “Please, I really need this, Aurora. Don’t hold out on me.”
“You’re incorrigible! Get off.” I laughed when she hugged me to her.
“Don’t act like you don’t love me. Now go get ready to take that man on a wild ride.” She gave me a shove off the couch, and I glared at her as I stumbled toward the bathroom.
“Stop it,” I whisper-screamed at her. “He might hear you.”
“Really?” She gave the floor a considering look and then yelled, “No, don’t have sex tonight! Anything but that!”
“Melinda!” I shrieked. “No!”
“Your mouth is saying no, but your eyes, Aurora, your eyes tell a different story,” she teased with a laugh. “I’m going to skedaddle. You’ve got T-minus half an hour for this little hang out, so put something on that shows your ass off, okay?”
I gave her another withering glare and pointed at the door. “I love you. Get out.”
“Love you too.” She blew me a kiss and then headed out the door in a flash. I let out a sigh and leaned against my bathroom doorway, and looked down at the floor and said a silent prayer that Grant hadn’t heard her shout. If I was lucky he hadn’t, but otherwise—
“Have fun on your date!” Melinda’s laughing voice echoed up the stairs, and I cursed, rushing to the door and throwing it open just in time to see her winking at Grant on her way to the front door.
“My what?” he blinked at her.
