Chapter 48
Calida
“What are we shopping for?” Macy asked as she climbed into my SUV.
I’d called her up yesterday, asking if she felt up to a mall outing. Once she got over the shock of me willingly wanting to go to the mall, she agreed.
“Nothing in particular. I just thought you’d like to get out.”
I kept my eyes on the road, but I could feel her staring at me.
“Uh-huh, right. This is about me? Man, you’re a terrible liar.”
“Am not. I’m an excellent liar. No wait, scratch that. Who strives to be an excellent liar?”
She laughed. “Con men, maybe.”
When I’d gotten dressed yesterday morning, I’d paid attention to the lack of sexy underwear I owned. Everything was black, white, or nude. No prints, no lace, just plain cotton. I never cared about it before, but after the phone sex, I wanted some pretty things.
For years I’d listened to Malcolm talk about women’s lingerie, like Macy he wasn’t shy about sharing his sexual escapades. He probably was one of the few men that would stop and take time to look at what his partner wore instead of just ripping it off and getting down to business.
“So, what’s this shopping trip really about?”
I glanced in the rearview mirror when Shawn and London’s babbling caught my attention. I gave a quick look at Macy, who had turned in her seat so she faced me.
“I need, well, want some lingerie.”
My answer hung in the air. I knew Macy rather not associate me and her brother with anything sexual, but she already knew we’d been together, so I figured that ship had sailed.
“I think my morning sickness returned with that statement.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, come on, Mace, it’s not that bad. Besides, I’m combining two things you love, the mall and using me as a dress up doll.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her shaking her head.
“Nope, doesn’t make it better. There’s only one reason to want lingerie, and it’s with my brother.”
“It’s not like I’m giving you blow-by-blow details.”
She crossed her arms like a defiant child. “Fine. But we’re going to Phipps.”
I sighed. She would pick the most expensive mall in the city.
It took Macy about an hour to pick out four different sexy outfits for me, along with six new underwear sets. She’d been in her element, working with the sales associate to pick out the items. Other than asking me color and sizes, my input had been minimal. Convincing her and the sales rep that I didn’t need to try on the items took effort, but I’d won the battle.
I thought I’d have a heart attack at the total; I’d never spent so much on underwear in my life. My idea of going fancy was buying from Victoria’s Secret. The place she took me to made VS look like bargain shopping in comparison. I shouldn’t have been surprised; Macy had a knack for spending other people’s money. It’s what had made her an excellent stylist and personal shopper.
When I got home, my parents car and a small U-Haul were parked in the driveway. Today was moving day for Dorian. I’d been wrong in my assumption she’d use movers.
“Hey, baby girl.”
I turned to see Dad standing near the garage door. He walked over to give me a hug.
“Hey, Daddy. If I’d known you guys were gonna be here, I wouldn’t have gone out.”
He opened the door to retrieve an excited Shawn. “I told your sister it didn’t make sense to pay movers. She doesn’t have that much stuff, nothing heavy. We’re nearly done here and she arranged for the portable storage company to drop off in about two hours at her place.”
I nodded, wondering why Dorian didn’t mention anything to me about her plans. She and Mom walked out with boxes.
“Hey, sweetie.”
I greeted her with a hug. “Looks like I missed all the work. Lucky me.”
She laughed. “Well, we have to unload, so you can still do your share.”
“Yes, Calida and there’s lots more to unload with the rest of my wardrobe and things on the way,” Dorian added.
“Oh, yay, just what I wanted. Why do I have to help you move? Didn’t I do enough letting you stay rent free?”
“Think of it as helping Mom and Dad,” she replied with a smile. “Plus, the quicker we get this done, the quicker you get your house back.”
I shook my head, regretting my decision on not staying with Macy longer. Both she and London looked like they needed a nap after our trip to the mall, so I brought Shawn home for his. Only now that my parents were here, I didn’t see him going to sleep anytime soon, and I’d been roped into helping Dorian move. On the upside, I would have my house back to myself. I glanced up at the large structure and realized that thought didn’t make me as happy as I’d expected.
Four hours later, I sat in Shawn’s room playing with him. Between the four of us, we got Dorian’s boxes out of the U-Haul and portable storage in pretty decent time. She treated us all to an early dinner as a thank you. Her townhouse was nice. Three stories, in a gated community and a perfect location in town. It suited her well.
It was strange to miss having her around already. Even as I sat playing with Shawn, stacking blocks only to have him giggle when he knocked them down, the uneasy feeling began to coil around me. Prickling sensations ran through my body as my heart rate picked up speed. Being here, alone, the house felt both too big, yet confining at the same time.
I didn’t want to stay, and I knew I didn’t have to.