Page 72 of All I Desire

Chapter Nineteen

NATALIA

“Getyour nose out of his butthole.” I swing open the door. “Hey, Sadie.”

She pokes her head in. “Who were you just talking to?”

I’m halfway across my living room and I look back at her. She’s still in the doorway. “What are you waiting for? Come in and close the door. Don’t let the pets out. I was talking to Chunky. He always tries to sniff Sin’s butt and then my little kitty gets fierce.”

Sadie lets out a breath and walks in, shutting the door. “I dunno. Thought you and Matthew were having a threesome or something.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah. If only today were that fun. I’m nervous as hell.”

She flops on the sofa, next to an indignant Sin and a guilty-looking Chunky. “Hey, you two carpet lumps,” she says to the animals, scratching them with scarlet-red nails. “Ready for a hot Saturday night? Who’s a good dog? Who’s a good kitten?”

“Yeah, I’m ready, I think. I’m glad Matthew’s not hesitant about wanting me to meet his mom. Some guys are, you know? He’s all in. Mature.” I run a brush through my hair. I blew it straight because I want to wear it long and loose.

“Oh, I was talking to Chunky and Sin, but now that you mention it, are you ready?” Sadie’s green eyes scan my body. It’s the first time she’s actually looked at me since she walked in. “What are you wearing?”

I glance down at my dress. It’s a pink, blue, and green, floral print sundress. Lauren loaned it to me. “Why? Does it look awful?”

Sadie screws up her face. “It looks like a rainbow barfed on you.”

Normally I applaud Sadie’s honesty, but does she have to be this blunt today? Of all days? I put my hands on my hips. “I thought it would be better to wear this than to roll up in my usual black tank top-black shorts combo. Or worse, wear my one black work outfit.”

“Did Matthew tell you what to wear? Does he dictate what you wear?” Sadie narrows her eyes.

“No! Not at all. He says he thinks it’s cool that I wear pretty much the same thing every day to work.” I shrug. “And, anyway, I saw a pair of Crocs at his house, so it’s not like his fashion sense is incredible, either.”

“Hmm,” Sadie grumbles.

“I just wanted to look normal for his mom, okay?” I cry.

“You always look normal for you. I hate to see you change for a man.”

“I’m not changing. I’m just wearing something a little more appropriate for a poolside dinner. My usual go-to leisure outfit of tropical goth might not make the best first impression.”

“Fair enough.” Sadie chews on her nail.

I lean toward a mirror hanging on a wall near the door and glance at Sadie’s reflection. “What’s wrong with you? You seem nervous.”

“I’m just worried about the business.”

“Why? You said your bookings were up.” I swipe on some lip gloss. Eww, it’s bright pink. No. Too flashy. I walk into the kitchen and grab a paper towel, scrubbing my lips.

“They are. But I’m hearing rumors that someone’s buying the marina.”

“So? The marina’s changed hands before.” I try a different color, more of an opaque nude. My skin tone favors pale colors. I root around in my makeup bag. Why the hell did I let Lauren talk me into buying those wild colors?

“The guy buying the marina is the mayor.”

I whirl around, my flouncy skirt skittering around my legs. “What? Justin? Your Justin?”

“Yeah,” she says in a flat voice. “Him. Asshole Justin.”

“Rather harsh, considering you had a crush on him for a solid six months.”

“Well, now I dislike him. Deeply. Because there are other rumors that he wants to do away with all businesses and liveaboard boats there. That means me.”

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