I look at our still-entwined hands, fused together by the remnants of our ice cream, and smile. Lex is a true friend... the kind of friend I haven’t had since I was a kid. The kind of friend I never thought I’d get to have again. The kind of friend I’d once taken for granted.
I won’t make that mistake again.
chapter eleven
Inevitable Impending Doom
Winston is already at the top of the stairs, scratching at the door and barking for me to let Lex in. I’m still in my sweatpants with my hair half-curled for my next date, but Lex knows I’m not ready to go yet. The last few dates she’s joined me for the getting-ready process, and it’s almost as much fun as our post-date recap.
“I’ve told you a million times to just come in,” I say as I swing the door open, but my words get stuck somewhere mid-sentence as my eyes alight on her face. “Did you get a new haircut?”
Lex touches the strands of her new pixie cut as her face turns pink. “Yeah. Do you like it?”
It’s unexpectedly short—much shorter than before. Her brown hair is tousled and styled with gel, giving me full view of her slender neck, the line of her clavicles, and the rise of her shoulders. Not to mention, she used to hide behind her hair, and now her gorgeous features are on full display. It suits her perfectly.
“I love it!” I squeal, grabbing her by the shoulders and drawing her in for a hug as Winston dances around our feet. After a surprised second she hugs me back, squeezing tightly. “And you smell good,” I say, inhaling the honey scent of her shampoo.
“Stop,” she chastises as she pulls away, her dimples betraying her smile. Lex tugs at her clothes, righting them now that Winston’s interest has switched from greeting his guest to peeing seventeen times in the yard. She’s wearing olive green trousers with a brown belt, a white T-shirt tucked loosely into her pants, and high-top sneakers cleaned and shined for the occasion.
“Damn, girl, you look so good!” I’d make her twirl if I didn’t think she’d kill me for it.
Lex rolls her eyes, swatting at me. “Can I come in now, please?”
I call Winston inside and the three of us descend the stairs and go into the bedroom. Lex makes herself comfortable reclining on my bed with Winston, who brought his Bugs Bunny to chew. After grabbing us a drink I settle back in to finish my hair.
“How many dates is this?” I ask.
Lex pulls her notebook from her bag and flips through the pages. “This makes thirteen.”
I suck in a sharp breath. “Are you sure this is a good idea? The curseplusan unlucky number is stacking the odds into dangerous territory.”
“Unlucky numbers aren’t real, just like curses aren’t real,” Lex says with a smile, which falters. “But I shouldn’t have told you. It might affect the outcome.”
I groan. “I have zero control over what goes on. You know that. Just admit it.”
“I’ll admit no such thing,” Lex says with a smirk, followed by a yawn.
“You okay?” I ask, eyeing her through the mirror.
“Yeah, just tired.”
“What’s going on?” I turn in my seat, letting my curling iron rest for a moment.
“Gabe’s new school has this summer program thing I signed him up for. I thought it would be a good idea to get him in there early so he can get used to the place. He struggles with change.” Lex strokes Winston’s fluffy grey fur as she talks. “They’re performingThe Sound of Music, and he loves that sort of thing.Chicagois one of his favourite movies.”
I chuckle. “Wait, how old is he?”
“Just turned seven in May.”
“Bold choice of favourite film.”
Lex blushes. “I know he’s a bit young for it, but he walked in on me watching it one night and was entranced. I just skip through the spicy parts.”
“Hey, no judgment here. My favourite movie in kindergarten wasAustin Powers,” I laugh. “He sounds like a cool kid.”
“Thank you. He is.” Lex smiles. “He loves musicals, so I thought it’d be perfect for him, but I think Gabe’s reading into his part a bit differently than intended.”
“How so?”
