Chapter Fifteen
Abby
Me: Code Blue!
Lexi: WTH does that mean? Are you dead?
Me: No, but I need you.
Lexi: On my way.
That message was sent not quite ten minutes ago, and she’s here. My twin doesn’t waste time knocking, but I never expected her to. Instead, she barges through my front door and races towards where I’m standing in the bathroom, wearing only the new bra and panty set that I purchased last Friday with AJ.
“Are you oh-” she stops dead in her tracks in my doorway. “Wow, look at you. What’s going on?”
“I have a date,” I whisper, saying the words aloud for the first time since Levi asked me just over a week ago. Well, it may be the first time I said them out loud, but it’s not the first time I told someone.
“A date? I thought you were bleeding to death or had fallen and couldn’t get up!” she exclaims.
I knew I should have told her that it wasn’t a life or death emergency, but as I stood in front of my mirror, wearing sexy lingerie for a date that I’m having with my best friend, well, I just kinda panicked.
“I’m sorry, but I just freaked out a little.” My eyes cast downward, sheepishly, and I’m not sure if it’s embarrassment from getting her all worked up or from the fact that I’m still standing in my undergarments, preparing for my first date in a really long time.
“Okay, so a date. Is it one of the Internet guys? You said last week there was one you were talking to and really hitting it off with.” God, I’m so confused. I really like SimpleMan, and the thought of going on a date tonight makes me feel like some sort of cheating floozy.
“God, this is such a mess,” I tell my twin, dropping down on my bed and covering my face.
“Start at the beginning. Don’t leave anything out,” she directs, coming over to sit beside me.
Exhaling, I begin. “Okay, so this may not come as much of a shock to you, but I kinda sorta have a teeny, tiny crush on Levi.”
“No shit,” she huffs with a laugh.
“Anyway,” I say, drawing out the word. “Well, the whole reason I decided to do the online dating thing was because I saw another woman leaving his place the morning after our Frisbee golf night. I guess you could say it made me sad, so I decided to try to date a bit more.”
“More? As if you were doing that before?”
“Do you want to hear this or not?” I quip, giving her a stern look. She gestures with her hand for me to proceed.
“I’ve spoken with a couple of guys there, but nowhere near the dozens you told Levi that day at Jaime’s. Really, it boils down to one particular guy that I’ve been communicating with a lot. Almost daily.”
“Okay,” she hedges, looking confused.
“Well, lately, things have gotten a little…intense with Levi. He’s been touching me a lot more, in a total non-creepy way, mind you, but I don’t know, his fingers would linger on my arm or he’d touch my hair more. And there was this look in his eyes that made me think that maybe the crush wasn’t so one-sided.”
“Duh.”
Giving her a look, I continue. “So, last Friday night, he, well, he asked me out. On a date. Like as more than friends.”
“Yay!”
“But what if we’re only hurting our friendship? What about SimpleMan? I’ve been talking to him a lot and then Levi asks me out and I say yes. What does that make me?”
“A desirable woman, Abs. You’re not committed to either one, right?” Shaking my head, she goes on. “Then until that happens, there’s nothing for you to worry about. You can talk to them both and maybe casually date them. Just be upfront about it. Let them both know what your ultimate goal is, which is to find the person you’re supposed to spend forever with, right? Well, just mention that as long as it’s casual, you’ll be seeing other people. It’s not hard.”
“It’s not?”
“Of course not, silly. And this SimpleMan met you through a dating site. He’s probably doing the same thing.”
“He is?” I ask, never really thinking about it from the other side.
“Sure.”
Before I can think much more about it–or put on clothes–I hop off my bed and run into my office. My computer is still booted up from checking email, so I quickly open the app and bring up my last conversation with SimpleMan from this morning. Positioning my hands over the keyboard, I start to type.
AngelEyes: I just wanted to let you know that I have a date tonight. I’m super nervous. I know we just met, but I felt like I needed to tell you. I’m having a great time chatting with you and getting to know you, and even though nothing has gone further than that, I still thought I should at least tell you.
Send. Nerves flow through my body as I wait a few moments to see if he replies. If not, I’ll just check back after I get home tonight. Home from my date. My date with Levi.
Suddenly, bubbles.
SimpleMan: First off, you have nothing to be nervous about. I’m sure whoever is lucky enough to score a date with you knows how fortunate he is that you turned your angel eyes his way. *winky face* And besides, I have a confession too. I also have a date tonight. I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t nervous.
AngelEyes: See!? Even you’re nervous and you just told me not to be!
SimpleMan: Yes, but I’m a man and men are notoriously stupid. Fingers crossed I don’t do anything dumb or obnoxious tonight.
AngelEyes: I’m sure you’ll be fine. You’re always very nice and respectable with me.
SimpleMan: Not a bad thing, but not always what a guy is going for, angel.
AngelEyes: *laughs* Anyway, good luck tonight. I hope you enjoy your date.
SimpleMan: You too, Angel. I’m sure he knows already how lucky of a bastard he really is. Check back later for date updates?
AngelEyes: Sure *smiley*
“Well, isn’t that just the nicest. I bet he’s great in bed,” Lexi says dreamily behind me, obviously reading over my shoulder and having no issues with it.
“I haven’t even thought about it,” I snap, shutting down my computer.
“Levi’s gonna be here in like thirty minutes.”
Suddenly, the reality of the situation slams me upside the head. Fine, that was my sister. “Ouch!”
“Are you gonna wear that out tonight? I mean, you look smokin’ hot, but I never pictured you for the lingerie peep on the first date, Abs.”
“Of course I’m not wearing this,” I exclaim as I turn and run into my bedroom. Grabbing the new tank top and skirt I bought last Friday with AJ, I start to dress.
“That’s new?”
“Yeah, AJ talked me into it that day we went for lunch and to the mall.”
“She has excellent taste. I might have to borrow it.”
“For what?” I ask over my shoulder while heading in the bathroom to start my makeup. “It’s not like you’re the one dating.”
Glancing over her shoulder, I see her shrug.
Uh oh.
“What?” I ask, turning my attention to her, waiting her out.
“Things are just…not good.”
“With Chris?”
Tears appear in her eyes. I know how much Lexi has invested into her marriage, but something has definitely been off lately. The others have noticed it too. It’s not like we talk about her behind her back, but we’ve all been very concerned lately. She wants a baby, Chris seems unwilling to get checked so that can happen and focused solely on building his investment business.
“Yeah.” Her voice is hushed and hoarse.
“Are you…thinking of leaving him?” I ask her, my own tears threatening to fall.
“Yeah,” she whispers again.
Without saying a word, I pull her into my arms and hold her tight. Between everything with Meghan over the last several months and now this with Lexi, I’ve seen more sadness amongst my sisters than I ever want to see. Well, except for when our mom died.
We hold each other until the tears subside and we’re both left sniffling. “I can’t believe I just did that to you,” she says, wiping her eyes and her nose on a Kleenex.
“What?”
“Dumped that on you. Here you are all excited about your night with Levi, and I bring all of my heavy baggage over to weigh you down.”
“In case you forgot, I wasn’t exactly in fine form when you arrived. I was freaking out. What about you? Are you gonna be okay? I can cancel with Levi and hang out with you.” And I would. I’d give it all up tonight to be there for her if she wanted.
“Oh hell no! You’ve been waiting for months for this moment. Hell, years,” she says. “I haven’t made any definite decisions, okay? Promise me you’ll go enjoy your evening and won’t give me a single thought.”
She looks at me with a look that lets me know she won’t buy my adamant denial that I’m about to give her, but of course, I say it anyway. “Fine. I won’t think about you at all.”
We stare at each other for several seconds before we both burst out laughing.
“You are going to knock him dead tonight, you know that, right?”
“I’m not so sure about that. I’m terrified I won’t be able to get past the fact that he’s my friend.”
“I bet you’ll be thinking about him naked by the time the appetizer is ordered,” she quips with a smile. My cheeks feel warm suddenly, and I try to hide my face. “Oh my God, you’ve already thought about him naked!”
“Of course I haven’t.”
“You are the worst liar ever. Ever, Abs. I bet he’s packing some serious heat, if you know what I mean,” she whispers conspiratorially and gives me a wink.
“You’re awful and sound just like Grandma.”
Lexi laughs and says, “No, if I were Grandma, I’d have big handfuls of his ass before the door closed.”
“True,” I say with a laugh as a knock echoes through my apartment.
“Oh my God, he’s here!” I exclaim, taking in my makeup-less face and my clothes-less body.
“Go get ready,” she says, pushing me into the bathroom. “I’ll keep him company until you’re ready.”
Before she can walk away, I pull my twin into my arms and squeeze her tight. “I love you, Lex,” I whisper against her face.
“I love you, Abs.”
And then she turns and heads towards my door, and I slip into my bathroom to finish getting ready.
For my date.
With Levi.
* * *
Listening to the hum of Levi and Lexi talking from the other room has done nothing for my nerves. In fact, you could say it has done nothing but elevate them a zillion notches. My hand practically shook while I put on my makeup, and I had to apply deodorant three times. You know, just in case. Slipping on the light purple tank top and slimming skirt, that I actually bought thinking I would never wear, suddenly makes the entire situation so real.
I am going on a date with Levi.
I know, I know. I’m not trying to fixate on that little fact, but I can’t help it.
Slipping on my favorite pair of black wedge sandals, I glance in the mirror one last time. My makeup looks good, especially in light of the fact that I rarely wear more than a little mascara. The outfit is flattering and shows a little more of my legs than normal, but even I’ll admit my legs look slim and a mile long in my sandals.
“You got this, Abby,” I mumble to myself, taking a few deep, calming breaths. “It’s just Levi; you’ve known him since you were ten.”
Yeah, you’ve known him for fifteen years, but you’ve never gone out with him, I remind myself as I step up to the closed door. More deep breaths, in and out. Grabbing the door, I turn the knob and step into the hallway. Their voices are more pronounced now as I round the corner of the small hallway and step into the kitchen.
My sister is talking, but I have no clue what she’s saying. My eyes instantly zero in on Levi, who’s standing there in a pair of dark jeans that hang perfectly on his hips and a black shirt that hugs his arms and chest. His hair is styled a bit on top, but still gives that carefree look I love. Well, love to run my fingers through. I practically start to drool on the spot.
“Wow, you look amazing.” His words infiltrate my brain enough to draw my eyes from his chest to his face. I’m shocked by the intensity that’s there. He has a smile on his lips, which only softens the passion in his eyes a little bit. That look is one I’m not used to seeing on my friend’s face, nor anyone else for that matter.
“Thank you. You look pretty nice yourself,” I say softly.
“Well, I feel like the third wheel in the opening scene of a porno. Since I’m pretty sure you’re not going to ask me to join in–not that I want you to–I’m going to head home,” Lexi says with a forced smile. I can still see her hurt.
Walking up to her, I give her another hug and whisper, “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Fine, Abs. Don’t worry about me. Go have fun with Levi,” she says back before placing a kiss on my cheek. “Bye, Levi. Be nice to my sister or I’ll have to hunt you down and do painful things to all of your bits and pieces.”
Gasping, I glance over at my friend who’s shielding his manhood with his hand. “Understood. You don’t have to worry about me,” he tells her with a smile.
My eyes are drawn back to my friend as my sister walks out the door, whistling a happy tune. Levi’s eyes are fierce, yet excited as he walks over to me. No, walks isn’t exactly the right word. Stalks, is more like it.
Levi lifts his hand and moves a soft curl from my cheek to behind my ear. “You really look amazing.”
“Thank you,” I croak.
His fingers linger just a little longer than usual on my hair, his eyes searching mine. He must be happy with what he sees because he smiles widely and asks, “Ready to go?”
Not trusting my words, I nod. Bending down, he links his fingers with my own, and pulls me towards the door. Opening the door, he allows me to exit first, but still doesn’t drop my hand. Together, we take the stairs down three flights to his truck.
Deep breath.
You can do this.