The next morning came quickly, maybe a little too soon for Renea. Renea got a quick shower and got ready as Dita scurried around the house all excited for the day. “First is the spa, it will help relax you before waxing. Trust me you do not want a massage after the waxing. I made that mistake once and only once. Afterwards we will head to lunch at the bistro and then we will go for the hair. Once we are done with that we will come home and snuggle for a movie night!” Dita ran over the day’s events quickly with Renea as she bounced around in excitement. Dita lived for this stuff and nothing excited her more than an all day event of pampering.
The day seemed to progress in a blur as Renea pulled herself deeper into her thoughts slowly increasing her anxiety over her date. She was working herself up into a panic at this rate. Dita continued to talk and did not seem to notice Renea’s lack of attention as she rambled on. Typical Dita to be so absorbed in the day's activities to not notice the struggle Renea was having within. Not that Renea minded usually. It gave her time to reflect on her inner thoughts without having to discuss them yet.
Renea knew she was nervous and terrified of going on a date with Caleb. She knew they had chemistry between them, she felt the pull as he walked her back to the office that day. There was no sense in denying that much, but she was absolutely terrified still. She wasn’t sure exactly why, but her inner self had her hair standing on ends. Something just felt off within her.
She shook her head to clear it as they walked from the spa to the bistro for lunch. She barely had even noticed the waxing today as lost in thought as she was. The women walked into the bistro and were led to a table in the far corner. They ordered from the menu and waited patiently for their food as conversation continued between them. Dita continued her interrupted conversation about how she wanted her hair before moving on to what Renea should do with hers. “A pixie cut is what you need!” she exclaimed excitedly. “Something to show off that definition of your face. Maybe some highlights to make it pop too.”
Renea had shoulder length hair and used to rock a shorter hairstyle that she loved but she let it grow out as she got bored with it. She did miss her hair shorter though as it made styling it so much easier in the mornings. “I can definitely do that one.” Renea replied easily with a smile at her friend. Their food arrived and they ate in silence in a hurry to finish so they could make it to their next appointment on time. They finished up and left to head around the corner to the salon.
Renea sat in the chair looking around her at the hair that had been chopped off still lost in her daze of the day. The stylist worked fast knowing exactly what she was doing. She gave her a stylish pixie cut and then readied the dye to add beautiful fall highlights to her hair. Renea usually had brown hair but now she was ready to add red highlights to make her hair pop more in all the right places. This would be perfect against that beautiful black dress Caleb sent for her. Renea smiled as she realized her mind had finally made its decision and she wasn’t sure when she had decided that it was going to be okay, but she was glad she did.
The women finished up their hair appointments just in time to grab their dinner they had already ordered from the bistro, and head home to eat and snuggle on the sofa for a romantic comedy. They walked back towards the bistro and Renea reached for the door just as it opened, and a man walked out knocking into her before she could stop quickly enough to avoid the door. Renea grabbed her nose gently as blood gushed from it.
“Oh My God! Renea are you okay? Oh, hunny you are bleeding. Let me see.” Dita screeches beside her as she tries to remove Renea’s hand so she could see how bad it was. Renea waved her away as she glared at the man now staring stupidly in front of her. He just stood there dumbstruck before snapping out of it and offering her a napkin from his bag.
“I am so sorry.” A husky voice greeted her with a wild look. He was dressed in a casual shirt and jeans. He carried his bag of food in one hand as he tried to check on Renea with a now confused and distraught face.
Renea gave him a go to hell look as she shook her head and grabbed the napkin while turning to Dita. “I’m fine just go grab the food so we can get home and get some ice on this before it swells.” Dita hesitated and then shook her head in agreement before heading inside with a furious glance at the man. Renea looked up at the man, her voice level as she squeezed her nose gently with the offered napkin. “I will be okay. Just hurts like a bitch that’s all.”
The man stepped around her and backed away from the door drawing Renea with him. “Is there anything I can do? Can I pay for you ladies’ meal or maybe a ride home, or even something else…” his voice trailed off at the end unsure of what to do or say.
“We are fine, thank you.” Renea replied softly. “We don’t live far so it isn’t a big deal. I really should have been paying more attention myself. It has just been one of those days I guess.” Renea threw up one of her hands in frustration.
“My name is Dante. I own the toy shop over on third street. Please come by sometime and I will take you out for coffee to make up for busting your nose. I feel horrible. I was just grabbing my dinner after closing up shop and shouldn’t have been in such a hurry.” Dante voiced smoothly with a smile on his handsome face.
Renea eyed him over the napkin in her hand that she still held to her nose. The bleeding had stopped but she was afraid to move it at this point because of the mess. She wasn’t sure what to make of the man standing in front of her. He seemed like a decent guy but she could feel the electrical buzz in the air that being near him created. She knew he was anything but human. He had a dark side, but she wasn’t entirely sure that she didn’t want to get to know that side either. Renea just nodded as Dita opened the door and came out with their food in tow. She waved at Dante and walked away knowing he was standing there looking even without turning around to acknowledge the fact.
“Girl, you know you are either the luckiest woman in the world or the unluckiest. I’m not sure which it is at this point.” Dita hisses as she looks at the bloody nose once they were inside their apartment.
Renea yelps in pain as she touches her nose. “It’s super sore, but I don’t think it’s broken.”
“By morning it will be gone anyways. Just tough it out a little longer and then we will go drink till you forget the pain.” Dita laughs.
Renea rolled her eyes knowing she was right. Her shifter blood would fix any issues; it would just take a while to do so. By her date tomorrow it would be like it never happened. She was thankful for the small favors her shifter blood provided her sometimes. She didn’t always have the best relationship with her shifter side. Since her parents had died when she was so young it was difficult for her. She didn’t fully understand that side as well as she felt she should. Almost like something was missing. Renea could shift into a beautiful Panther. She had black sleek fur that rippled blue in some lights. She had grace, speed, and power. Of course, she wished she could carry that over to her human self so these incidents wouldn’t have occurred. Renea glanced once more into the mirror at her reflection and shook her head before following Dita’s advice and heading out to get a drink.
***************************
The next morning Renea rolled over and was met by a large glass of water, two aspirin, and a large plate of some very greasy food that Dita held out to her with a sympathetic look. With a groan Renea sat slowly clutching her head as the migraine grew more intense at the sudden change in position. Dita chuckled at her friend, “You may have drunk a little too much last night.”
Renea sent her a glare and grabbed the tray downing the water and aspirin as quickly as she could. Renea closed her eyes to stop the spinning room her hangover was creating. Dita just laughs and leaves her in peace. Renea wanted her room to stop spinning and her life to do the same. She was feeling torn apart with so many emotions right now. She went from having no man in her life, or at least not anyone in the past few years that had mattered, to now having one taking her on a date tonight and one that she had some serious lust issues occurring. She had yet to stop thinking about Dante and his mysterious personality. Something about him just set her on edge but in a good way. It made her want to get to know him more but at what cost? Would she find she liked him more than Caleb? Or would even entertaining the idea cause her to lose Caleb’s interest all together?
With a huff Renea gave her thoughts a rest and began eating her hangover breakfast Dita had brought. A nice fat juicy burger and a double order of hash browns. “Yep, this will fix everything, for now,” Renea whispered to herself. “At least till I have to figure out what to do that is.”
Renea ran her hand through her wet hair as she waited for it to dry a little as she began her makeup. It was already four in the evening and Caleb would be there in an hour to pick her up for dinner. She looked in the mirror in her bathroom for the longest time contemplating why she even bothered getting ready and going tonight. Instead, she sighed and finished her makeup and styled her short hair to keep it from being such a mess later. Renea gave herself a final once over in the mirror and headed out to the bedroom to slip into the dress and heels.
Dita sashayed in at that moment and gave Renea an approving glance. “You really know how to clean up babe,” she whistled. She picked the necklace up from the dresser and swept it around Renea’s neck attaching the clasp in a single movement resting her hands on her friends’ shoulders. “It will be okay,” Dita whispered slowly. She could feel the tension in Renea’s shoulders ease slightly. Renea sighed, shook her head and turned to hug her best friend.
Renea pulled back ready to say something but then the door buzzer interrupted whatever she was about to say. Dita just shook her head at her friend, squeezed a little tighter and went to answer the door. Renea steeled herself as she heard Dita greet Caleb. She grabbed her handbag before squaring her shoulders and walking out of her bedroom.
Caleb turned as he heard the clack of her heels on the hardwood floors. Caleb’s eyes roamed Renea’s figure while she walked, noting the fabric as it clung to her in all the right places. A fire lit in his eyes that did not go unnoticed by Renea. Renea’s cheeks and neck turned red under his gaze but it did not stop her from adding a little extra sway to her step as she slowly made her way to him. Renea stopped in front of him with a small smile lit upon her lips. “Hey there darling” Caleb growled out roughly, desire still burning in his eyes.
“Hey there yourself” Renea gave a longing look to his impeccable suit he was wearing. Caleb chuckled and waved to Dita as he wrapped an arm around Renea’s waist, ushering her to the door.
“Have fun you two!” Dita laughed as she closed the door behind them. Renea gave her friend another death glare and chuckled lightly.
Reaching the street, they climbed into the waiting town car, as the driver held the door open for them. Renea nervously handled her handbag in her lap flipping it back and forth. Caleb glanced at her hands and then lay one of his giant hands on hers to stop the fidgeting. “Are you nervous Hun?” he asked her gently.
“It has been a really long time since I have been on any dates, let alone something this fancy.” She smiled slightly.
