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“What are you doing here?” I ask again.
“Molly called Riley and Riley called me. She’s stuck at Puzzles and she said you needed help. I was uptown getting some paint samples,” he explains.
“Oh, well, I’m fine. No need to stay.”
“Luna, you’re sitting on the bathroom floor at work. Just open the door and talk to me,” he says gently.
“I threw up, there’s no need for you to see me like this.”
“Shut up and open the door.” I push it open just enough for him to see me. I probably look pathetic.
“Do you want me to carry you?”
“Are you crazy? It’s bad enough I got sick, I don’t need some man carrying me out of the building like I’m inSpidermanor something.”
“Fair enough, but are you okay to walk?” He chuckles.
“Yes, maybe with some help,” I admit. I hat asking for help but I also don’t want to pass out in front of my co-workers.
Cody gives me a hand and I lean against his soft chest, closing my eyes for just a second. I inhale his musky cologne and feel just a bit calmer. I don’t know what came over me, but I’m hoping that was the worst of it. He holds on to the small of my back, walking me to my office. When we get there, he grabs my things for me and carries my purse to the elevator and down to a cab. I don’t even oppose, I just want to be home as soon as possible.
“Anything I can get you?” he asks as we open the door to my apartment. He helps me out of my work clothes and into one of his t-shirts. I crawl into the cozy bed and rest my head on my pillow.
“Maybe some crackers and ginger ale?” I suggest.
“You got it, I’ll be back in five okay?” He kisses my forehead and I nod. He takes my keys and locks the door behind him. I close my eyes and hope I can get a bit of sleep before he comes back. Suddenly I am overcome with exhaustion.
Cody’s hands are on my back, gently rubbing my shoulders when I wake up. He’s shirtless, just in his boxers next to me in bed. His shaggy hair pulled back into a small pony. He smiles as he realizes I’m awake and mutes the TV.
“Hey, how’d you sleep?” he says softly.
“Fantastic, it was much needed.” I smile. My stomach growls and I remember the events that got me here.
“I got some crackers and ginger ale and some bread for toast if you’d like.” He runs his fingers through my hair gently.
“Thank you.” It is nice having someone take care of me. I can’t remember the last time I had someone do this for me. My dad had always been working when I grew up, trying to provide enough for both of us. I was too young to remember, but this feels like something my mother would do. From the little I do remember, she was the nurturing type.
“You don’t have to thank you, I wanted to.” He kisses my forehead again and I cuddle against his bare chest. In this moment, I can’t remember why I was so afraid of letting Cody in and asking for help. I guess when you do things alone for so long, it’s hard to remember what help feels like.
Chapter Eight
When I call Riley to tell her about the ball she is already up to speed because Sawyer had surprised her with tickets too. We spend the next two weeks checking out every store we walk past for the perfect dresses. Sawyer and Cody had given us their credit cards and despite us both being independent women, we like to be spoiled every once in a while too. Besides, it isn’t like we are going to max out their credit cards on a dress and some shoes.
So when we finally find the perfect dresses just two days before the ball, I’m equally relieved and excited. These dresses are surely going to get us laid. Riley opts for a lower pair of heels while I find the highest pair of stilettos they sell. We decide to get ready at my apartment and meet them there, something about the idea of a dress reveal only makes me more excited. Riley is more of the fairytale believing type, but I can’t resist getting dressed up and looking like a princess for a night.
We get our hair done at Riley’s favorite hair salon, Scissors. She says she started going there because of the name but stayed because of how awesome the service was. I have to admit, our hair looks amazing. Riley’s short brown curls are pulled back in a bun, while mine are curled and hanging over my shoulders.
“Are you nervous?” I ask Riley, feeling her leg shaking from across the room.
“No, just excited. Sawyer and I haven’t been out in a date like this before, I think the last time we were somewhere on display was Pride.”
I smile at the mention of Pride. It was just a year ago, but it was what caused Cody and I to finally decide to be together. I had been scared to officially call him mine, to put it all on the line for him. Until I saw his ex girlfriend, Jenna, hanging all over him. It was then I decided he needed to be mine so I’d never have to see him with anyone else ever again. I wanted to be the only one touching him like that. We were going to make a thing of it, but this year it rained out and the four of us took a trip out of state instead.
“Sawyer loves you, she’s glad to have you on her arm,” I remind her.
“I know, you’re right.” Riley smiles.
The ball is at the Plaza Hotel, just a few blocks from my apartment, but there is no way we are risking getting all sweaty by walking there. I call an Uber and grab our purses as we run out the door. We hand the doorman our tickets and we take it all in. I’ve been in here for meetings, even staying for a night or two, but the entire place is transformed into a black and white themed paradise. The chandelier sparkles, illuminating the entire first floor, the spiral staircase complete with string lights that look like diamonds.
