CARA
I had no clue what to wear for my date with Vera. No. Not a date. For mydinnerwith Vera. I didn’t want to look like I was trying too hard, but at the same time, I didn’t want to look like I wasn’t trying at all.
Groaning, I walked back to my closet. There had to be something in here that would work. It shouldn’t have been so difficult to find something. It wasn’t like I was trying to impress her or anything. She already seemed to want me, not that it mattered because I didn’t want her back or anything, but the attention was still nice to have.
After going back and forth in my closet, I finally settled on an option I was pretty happy with. I went with a navy blue minidress with a high slit, and paired it with black strappy heels. It was simple and appropriate for a nice dinner, while also showing the amount of skin I usually liked to show.
I had tried to suggest somewhere more affordable than Stella’s. The restaurant was in the city, and was on the expensive side. Drea and I had had many lunch dates there together. But Vera insisted I chose my favorite place, so I did. When I mentioned it, she said she knew of it and couldn’t wait. She didn’t even blink.
By the time I pulled up to the restaurant. My stomach was in knots. Was I really about to do this? Spend the evening with Vera, in this nice restaurant, and talk about fooling my friends? I felt nauseous just thinking about it. I had to remember my conversation with Eloise, and not think so much about it.
As soon as I spotted Vera, my stomach dipped. She was wearing a black button-up shirt that didn’t appear to have a wrinkle in sight. The sleeves were rolled up just past her forearms, and I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face. She really was gorgeous. Fuck, I really was about to do this.
When she looked up and spotted me, her smile was pure softness. She stood up as I walked over, but she didn’t reach out to hug me or anything.
“You made it,” she said as she walked over to pull my chair out for me. I was stunned. I’d never had someone do that for me. I guess chivalry wasn’t dead after all.
“I did. I told you I would be here.” I smiled and sat down. As uncomfortable as I was, I never went back on my word unless something happened that was out of my control.
“You look incredible,” she said after she sat in her chair.
I blushed and paused when our server came to take our order. I ordered a lemonade and water, and Vera ordered iced tea. We ordered bread for the table and wanted a few minutes to look at the menu.
“Thank you, Vera. You look very…” I paused, not sure what was appropriate. “What do you prefer? Pretty? Handsome?”
She laughed. “Pretty, handsome, sexy, mouth-watering. Whatever you’d like, princesa.”
I rolled my eyes at the nickname, but blushed at the accurate titles. She looked like all of that combined. “You look very good.”
“Gracias. I wanted to clean up for you. Are you ready to order?”
The waitress came back and took our orders. She ordered the steak with mashed potatoes and I ordered a salad. My nerves were shot and I wasn’t really that hungry, but I did add grilled chicken to the salad.
“So, when’s the wedding? What color suit do I need? What color dress are you wearing? I'd like to color coordinate so I don’t embarrass you.”
I almost choked on my lemonade. I guess we were just jumping right into it. “Slow down. I haven’t even agreed yet.”
“Yet. That means you will.”
“Vera, you’re not making this easy.”
“Making what easy? I’m not doing anything.”
“Saying no. You're making it impossible to say no to this crazy idea. Itisa crazy idea, Vera!”
“It’s not that crazy. We’re both attracted to each other, so it’s believable.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
“Are you saying you're not attracted to me? Because I remember your body being very responsive.”
I took a sip of my water to hide the whimper that almost came out. I really needed to pull it together. It was like every time she talked to me or smiled at me, my body thought back to that night.
“Okay, rules. We need them. If I agree to do this, and that is a big ‘if,’ you cannot bring up that night. It’s in the past, so leave it there. Especially around my friends. No one knows it was you, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
“No one besides Eloise. And are you ashamed of me? Is that why you’re hesitating?”
“No, Vera.” I shook my head vehemently. “No,” I said more firmly. “I am not ashamed of you or what happened that night. I just… You aren’t someone I usually go out with, so I don’t want everyone asking questions. They’re going to if I agree to this, though, and I don’t know what to say. Not that there is anything wrong with you, there’s not. I feel like I’m not getting the words across how I want them to. I just want to see my best friend get married.”
