Kenny was seated wide-eyed at the table while Bette, whose hair was in curlers, fussed over combing what was left of his hair. Zoe was bent over the sink washing her hair and Kerrie walked in wearing a wife-beater and boxers with dancing marshmallows on them.
Everyone paused at the sight of her.
“What in the hell is going on here?”
“I don’t know,” Kenny answered honestly. He went to rub his bald spot, but Bette pushed his hand away.
“We’re running a little behind,” Kerrie answered. “Has anyone seen my pants?”
“Upstairs on the bed. Kenny, baby, please try not to mess up your hair.”
“You know you’re all supposed to be at the venue in twenty minutes, right?”
Hard looks aimed her way. “Right, not helpful, huh? Um, Kerrie, can I get the keys to the truck?”
“Right behind you on the hook.”
She grabbed them from a line of hooks next to the door. “Thanks again for letting me borrow the truck. I’d feel like a bum asking her to drive me.”
The water turned off in the sink, and Zoe wrapped a towel around her head before standing up. She looked Matty over with a critical eye. “Unbutton the top two buttons.”
“You think? I don’t want to look slouchy.” She touched the buttons.
“I’m positive. You look like someone who’s been forced to dress up against her will. Unbutton them.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She undid them. “Okay, well, we’ll see you guys there.”
“Please stall if we’re not there on time,” Bette asked with a strained voice.
“Don’t worry, we’ll hold things down.”
***
Driving over to Reese’s should not make her start sweating, but her underarms were beginning to make her wonder if she would wet through her undershirt.
“Oh God, pit stains on the first date,” she groaned, turning the AC on. She switched arms back and forth, steering with one and reaching up to the vent with the other. Why didn’t she roll her sleeves up?
As Reese’s home came into view, her belly did a few somersaults. It was like she was starting over for the first time. She was thirty-five and felt like a teenager.
As she pulled into the driveway behind Reese’s car, she took a deep breath. “Act cool, Matty. Act cool.”
She stepped out of the truck, shutting the door behind her. She began walking up the sidewalk when Reese came out of the door and she lost all thought. Unfortunately, that meant the idea of staying cool also was gone. With her eyes firmly on Reese, she didn’t notice the patch of grass that was growing in a crack in the walkway. The tip of her shoe caught it, sending her to the ground. Her hands just barely caught her from face-planting.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
“Matty!” Reese’s panicked voice echoed loudly in the quiet neighborhood.
Her palms stung, but not nearly as much as her pride. Had she seriously just done that? Her face was on fire.
Smooth move, Crew.
Hands grabbed at her shoulders to help her sit up on her knees. And along with those hands came a view of strappy high heels that led up to a gorgeous pair of legs. Her eyes dragged farther to a full view down the top of Reese’s dress as she bent down to look at her. Her eyes continued up to Reese’s face, where worry lines decorated her forehead and around her mouth. “Are you okay?”
Reese began to drop lower until Matty stopped her. “No, it’s okay. You’ll get dirty. I’m fine. My pride’s not, but I’m fine.”
She allowed Reese to help her stand. Her palms still stung. She inspected them. Some tiny rocks were embedded in them. Reese’s hands were on her once again, only this time brushing the pants off. The irony of her touching her legs was not lost on her.
When she stood up, they both just stared at each other, taking the other in.
