“Carlie, from what you’ve told me, Adam’s not the pity date kind. He likes you. And heshould. You’re a fine catch,” she says, twisting back to the closet. “Now, let’s find a dress that screams confidence, not crisis.”
I give in, trusting her to find me a magical unicorn outfit from the clothes I’ve been staring at since yesterday.
She offers a few options, each one not quite the vibe I’m going for.
Finally, Lily holds up an emerald dress I’ve only worn once. “This one. It’sperfect.”
“Uh,” I hedge, not wanting to explain that the dress in her hands is the one I used to embody Zoey Cummings at the club where her new boyfriend works. “I don’t think so.”
Lily arches an eyebrow, still holding the dress. “Why not? It’s gorgeous, and I bet you look stunning in it.”
I shift uncomfortably, memories of that night at Club Nocté flooding back. “Let’s just say it’s not the first impression I want to make on this date.”
She places the dress back with a knowing nod. “Got it. We’ll find something else.” She rummages through my wardrobe, her enthusiasm undiminished. “How about this one?”
She pulls out a simple, elegant black dress with a flattering, low neckline.
“Shows off the girls quite a bit,” I laugh, hoisting my boobs up and letting them drop.
She cackles at that, her eyes sparkling. “Why not give him something to stare at? Isn’t that the sentiment Vivian’s been trying to drum into you?”
I shake my head at the dress and point back to the closet. “Maybe on date two.”
Her eyes twinkle again, but she doesn’t press it.
I haven’t known Lily long, but the transformation her personality has undergone since I first met her is pretty astounding. I guess divorcing the wrong guy so you can end up with the right one will do that to you.
“So, how are things with you and London?” I ask, extremely curious and only slightly jealous. Their love story is the stuff of one of my dirty books.
“They’re good—reallygood actually,” Lily responds with a warm smile. “London’s just so ... understanding, you know? He gets me. He’s more than I could have ever dreamed of.”
“That’s so great to hear,” I say, genuinely happy for her. My thoughts drift to Adam, wondering if we could ever have that kind of understanding. “I suppose it doesn’t hurt that the sex is mind-blowing, too.”
“Carlie,” Lily gasps, a grin on full display.
I shrug. “I write erotic stories. A girl can tell.”
She laughs again and shakes her head. However, I swear as she turns back to my closet, she whispers, “That definitely doesn’t hurt.”
Lily holds up a simple yet stylish navy blue dress. “How about this? It’s classy, but not over-the-top. It will make your red hair stand out and your eyes pop. Pair it with some cute boots, and you’re set.”
I eye the dress, a hint of a smile forming. “That could work. As long as I can actually get into it without contorting my body too much.”
“I can help you into it, but if you need help getting out of it …” Her grin widens and turns totally mischievous.
“Oh, stop,” I say, feeling the heat creep into my cheeks. “It’s our first date. I’m not going to jump his bones on the first date.”
She shakes her head. “For a romance author, you’re pretty cautious. Put on your sexiest lingerie, just in case.”
Rather than argue, I do as she says, trying to ignore the fact that I’m wearing a sexy silver bra and underwear when Lily helps me get the dress on.
As I get ready, we chat about everything and nothing.
It’s a welcome distraction from the knots of anxiety in my stomach.
“How do I look?” I ask, running my hands over my thighs and straightening the bottom of my dress.
Lily steps back, her eyes lighting up. “You look beautiful, Carlie. Really. Adam won’t know what hit him.”