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“Anyway,” I clear my throat. “How do I look?”
He assesses me casually, looking me up and down. “You look like a dude in a suit.”
“That’s not helpful,” I say, rolling my eyes.
Hawk laughs. “You look fine, man. Unless you’re going bowling. Then you’re overdressed.”
“I hate you,” I say. We both know it’s not true, but he’s giving me shit and it’s what we do.
“Don’t worry,” he says. “Despite what I’ve said, I think this could be really good. For both of you.”
I nod, taking one last look in the mirror before shoving all my shit in my pockets. This is either the best idea I’ve ever had, or the worst.
I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND
WILL
Hi. My name is Willette Archer and I’m a fucking spaz.I’m standing in front of the fan in the corner of my room with my hands over my head, letting the cool air hit my armpits. I’ve applied deodorant three times and I’m still sweating profusely.
“You need to calm down,” Drew says. “Come sit on the bed and let me finish your hair.”
Derek is supposed to be here in like, ten minutes and my hair isn’t even done. I’m a mess. I can’t even say a hot mess. Unless you mean literally, because I’m sweating like the Niagara.
I perch myself at the edge of my bed, cupping my hands into a giant ball in my lap. Drew meticulously runs a curling wand thing through my hair, giving me more sculpted waves.
“This is stupid,” I laugh. I sound delusional.
“Why?” she asks.
“I don’t know. I don’t think I can wrap my head around this.” Drew sets down the wand and starts blotting my forehead with a round cotton pad as my matte look has quickly turned glossy.
“Just close your eyes,” she says. “Calm yourself down. Take a sip of your wine. It will help.”
I sip as instructed, careful not to start gulping despite wanting to. The last thing I need to do is be half in the can when he arrives. Pressing my eyes shut, I push all thoughts away, trying instead to just center myself in this moment.
Thanks to Drew, I’m wearing what I consider to be a very stunning black dress. It’s long and flowing, with a slit up to my thigh on the right side. I’m wearing red heels the same shade as my signature lipstick, and she’s given me a beautiful smoky eye. I feel so grown up and yet, somehow still myself. I don’t feel like I’m pretending to be something I’m not, which is good considering that’s exactly how I thought I’d feel.
“Thank you,” I say to her.
“For what?” she asks.
“For helping me,” I say.
“It’s the least I can do,” she says. “I seem to recall you helping me in a similar situation not all that long ago.”
She’s referring to the time Hawk requested she wear somethingspicy. She hadn’t been on a date in a very long time. And now, I’m coming to her to help me look like a grownup. Because aside from Derek, Drew is the only other person I consider a real adult. She’s got a kid for Cracker Jack’s sake.
A few moments later, there’s a knock at the door and I let out an involuntary squeak, startling Drew. Then, she laughs. Because who the fuck squeaks? I sound like a dog’s chew toy.
“I’ll get it,” she says. “You compose yourself for a few minutes and grab your clutch.” She exits, closing my bedroom door behind her.
It’s now or never.I stand, taking one last pass in front of the fan and peeking at my face in the mirror to make sure nothing is running. I grab my red clutch from the hook on my closet door and deposit my phone, wallet, and a few makeup items in there in case I need to freshen up. I think better of it and grab my deodorant too, shoving it into the clutch in a panic. The last thing I grab is my fancy coat before heading out.
I step lightly down the hall, the sounds of their voices filtering through from the kitchen. Drew is filling a vase with flowers and Derek’s back is to me as I attempt to enter the scene like a ninja.
Drew’s eyes catch mine and she smiles. This must tip off Derek, because he turns toward me, his eyes immediately finding mine. Then I watch him swallow, the delicate muscles in his throat rippling up and down. He looks down, his lips parting as his eyes trace up the slit in my dress, over my chest and up my neck before fixing on my eyes again.
“You look…amazing,” he says. He takes a measured step toward me, as he leans down and presses a lingering kiss to my cheek.
