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“Yeah, well… things have changed. I’m over her.” I had originally planned to take Beth back with me after graduating and introducing her to my family. In my mind, this summer was going to be the summer when I got engaged to my college girlfriend, but that obviously never happened.
“Oh yeah? Well I’m glad to hear it. She did you dirty.”
“Yeah, she did. Glad I never told my family about her, or I’d be spending the summer explaining what happened over and over again.”
What had happened was simple. I’d made plans to move with her to New York City, even though I had no intention of living in a big city and had always dreamt of returning to Sunville to build my farm and work with my brothers. But Beth… she was in love with the city, and she got a job offer there, so we made plans to settle there. I’d find work at some environmental engineering firm.
Clark was the only one who knew about Beth, and I intended to keep it that way.
“I’m glad you didn’t give up everything for that woman,” Clark said.
“Yeah, me too,” I agreed. “I’m just glad I caught her before I moved to New York City and threw everything away here.”
“So… what are you going to do about the plus one? Because as much as I love you, brother, I’m not going as your date. I got invited on my own, if you remember. My family knows the groom’s family yada yada and now I have to wear a suit and tie.”
I chuckled. “I actually have someone who looks prettier in a dress than you, man.”
Clark raised an eyebrow. “What about staying single forever?”
“Oh, it’s not like that,” I said. I told him about the deal with Anna.
“So, you’re pretending to date, while hooking up on the side?”
“Something like that,” I laughed. “Hey, you wanna beer?”
“Nah, I have to get going, but maybe another time,” Clark said, but he didn't make any effort to leave. After a moment, he told me, “Just be careful, Levi. I saw the way you smiled when you thought about her.”
“I only smiled because I’m glad I don’t have to think or talk about Beth or why my plus one couldn’t make it.”
“Sure, man,” Clark said, patting me on the back. “Whatever you say. Just be careful.”
Clark pushed himself away from the fence and we walked to his truck together. He handed over the plans and was on his way. As soon as he left, I pulled out my phone and texted Anna.
Hey, I forgot, but I have a wedding this weekend. Black tie. Think you can make it?
She responded almost right away.
Of course! That’s the deal, isn’t it? I just don’t have much time to go shopping before then. I hope I have something formal to wear.
I’m sure whatever you wear will be perfect. And I meant it too.
I put my phone away and went back to my favorite pastime, feeding carrots to the goats. My phone pinged a few minutes later.
Is this okay? followed by a photo.
My heart raced and I forgot to breathe for a second. Anna sent me a picture of her in a slinky black dress that hugged her curves perfectly. She had the perfect hourglass figure, and this dress did nothing to hide it. It was low cut enough to show off her ample cleavage, but not so much that it would give too much away. A little cutout beneath her bust showed off a hint of tummy. It had thin straps, but she wrapped a thin scarf over her shoulders.
My jeans grew tighter just by looking at the photo.
I typed, That dress is perfect, but I can’t wait to get you out of it.
I quickly hit backspace and deleted most of my message, leaving just, That dress is perfect.
Great, see you then!
I thought about what Clark had said and wondered… am I in trouble?
Nah, she was leaving in a few months. We couldn’t develop serious feelings in only a few months. Being attracted to a gorgeous woman wasn’t the same thing as love, I told myself. Just because she also happened to impress me with her intelligence and I knew she was ambitious, funny, a good conversationalist, and someone I enjoyed spending time with didn’t mean we would get ourselves into trouble, right?
