Page 2 of King

I shake my head at myself, as I run my hands down the front of my top. The bold pattern helps to visually flatten some of my… ripples.

You’d think after thirty-two years of being “big boned”, as my family put it, I’d know how to dress myself, but I’m still trying to figure it out. Thanks to some great body-positivity accounts I found on social media earlier this year, I’ve been trying hard to embrace my softness by wearing tighter, more revealing clothes. It’s supposedly a way for me to embrace my sexuality, rather than always trying to hide my body. And it’s going okay, but it’s a process. And the weird vibes for Lee have me feeling a little overexposed at the moment.

He holds out the lasagna, clearly not willing to carry it up to the house for me.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him to leave, but athankscomes out instead.

Lee sweeps an arm toward the sidewalk. “After you, m’lady.”

A smile pulls at my lips as I step past him.

Okay, maybe I’m being too harsh on Lee today.

When we reach the front door, Lee reaches past me to ring the bell, then moves so we’re standing side by side.

It takes a few moments––as is expected––before the door swings open revealing my friend.

“Savannah?” Mandi’s face is covered with a confused smile.

“Hi!” I greet her with a grin. “Look at you walking around!”

She snorts and gives her walker a little shake. “The docs tell me I need to stay mobile.”

“Well, you look amazing,” I tell her.

“Thanks.” I watch her eyes slide over to Lee then back to me. “I didn’t know you were seeing anyone,” she uses a stage-whisper, knowing the man next to me can hear everything.

Not sure what to introduce him as, I just tell her, “This is Lee.” Tipping my head in his direction since my hands are still full.

They exchange the usual pleasantries as they shake hands before Mandi turns back to me. “Sorry, I’m getting distracted. What are…” Her eyes drop to the heavier-by-the-moment pan of lasagna in my hands. “Oh my god, was that today!?” She smacks a palm against her forehead. “I thought it wasnextSaturday that you were coming over.”

“Oh no!” Heat creeps up my neck. If she sends us away, I’ll melt from embarrassment. “It’s probably me that was wrong.”I say it, even though I checked our text messages four times over the last four days, making sure I had the right time.“Well, you can pop this in the freezer if you want.” I lift the food. “Save it for another day. Or next weekend.”

“No, no.” She shakes her head. “Come in, please.” She steps back. “Another one of my friends is here with her brother. We’d worked on an event together this spring and she just wanted to check in on me.”

“Well that’s nice of her.” I follow Mandi into the house. “And she brought her brother?” For some reason, that makes me snicker.

Mandi angles so only I can see her face, then widens her eyes and fans herself.

Apparently the brother is good looking.

This will probably be awkward, crashing in on guests she’s already hosting, but having some eye candy can’t hurt. Especially since, starting tomorrow, I’m giving up on men. Because Lee still hasn’t taken this pan out of my freaking hands and my arms feel like they’re gonna fall off.

Mandi sets the pace, and we make our way down a hallway, toward the living room situated at the back of the house. The length of the hallway is lined with art.

My friend manages several art galleries––which is how we met––and she splits her time between here and Chicago, so she understandably has an amazing collection.

As we near the living room, I can hear the low murmur of voices.

Slowing, I let Mandi shuffle into the room first and try to relax my shoulders.

“Hey, I hope you don’t mind if my friend Savannah and her boyfriend join us.”

It takes effort to not make a face when I hear her call Lee my boyfriend, but it’s not worth correcting.

I take that last step into the room and see Mandi’s other friend sitting on the couch, and next to her, as promised, is a man.

I’m not even walking anymore and I almost trip.

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