Naughty Neighbor - Lauren Runow Page 0,26
door, like we had just happened to enter the building at the same time and didn’t just have our hands all over each other.
I close the curtain with a huff. “Yes, I let him paint me but only after I painted him.”
“And …” she says, her voice rising in anticipation.
“And what?” I step into the gold dress and slide my arms through the sleeves. “It was fun. You and Melody should definitely try it. I’ll watch Aubrey for you.”
“Because that’s a place where couples go.”
I slide the curtain open and give her my back to zip me up. “No, it’s where people of all relationships go to experience something new.”
When I turn toward her, she gives me her back, so I can zip her. “Great. You and I can go then.”
“I’m not painting you.”
With her dress fastened, she spins around with a grin. “Thank you for proving my point. So, is there something going on between you two?” Her shoulders shimmy back and forth as the grin grows on her face.
“You know nothing’s going on between Jake and me. That’s like Neighboring 101. The dos and don’ts of living next to each other. He was just helping since he knew I was stuck.”
“Okay, well, that’s actually good because we told Tommy you wanted to go on a date with him.”
Now, it’s my turn to look like a madwoman. “Charisse! You didn’t!”
She grabs my shoulders and pushes me toward the large three-paned mirror at the end of the room, where we can see our outfits from all angles.
“Come on, Lacey. He’s super cute, and I think you two will totally hit it off. Plus, you need somewhere to go in this hot little number.”
The dress clings to me like a second skin. I like how the sleeves are long, giving the attention to the plunging neckline. The hem is short but not quite as short as it seemed on the hanger. It falls mid-thigh, which actually makes my legs look long and lean.
“I do like the dress, but I’m not going on a blind date.”
With her hands on my shoulders, she gives me a knowing expression. “Your body deserves to go out in this dress. Your feet deserve to wear those Christian Louboutins you bought last year and have only worn once. And your heart really, really deserves for you to get out and laugh with a handsome man over drinks and witty conversation.”
I hate the look she’s giving me. It’s the kind a concerned mother gives her daughter. I know she makes a solid point. The dress is cute, and I do love those shoes. And if I’m being totally honest with myself, it was nice to have Jake’s hands on me last night. Maybe I am ready to get back out in the dating world and meet Tommy the accountant.
Of course, there’s always the chance he could up and leave and break my heart.
“Stop thinking about how the relationship can go wrong before you even go on a date with the guy.”
My best friend really does know me too well.
“What kind of romance writer are you if you won’t give romance a chance for yourself?”
I waver for a bit before throwing in the towel. “Fine. Give him my number.” I sigh. “But I’m only promising one date.”
“Good, because Melody already texted him, and he’ll be calling you tonight.”
She runs toward her dressing stall, and I laugh, chasing after her.
Tommy called last night, and he actually didn’t sound too bad. He was polite, made some jokes about being set up on a blind date, and even asked me where I would like to go. My jittery nerves are at bay as I get ready now for our date.
I slip on my new gold dress and pull my hair half up with big curls in the back. After applying mascara, some neutral eye shadow, and rouge to my cheeks, I glide on a light gloss and take one last glance in the mirror as I hear a knock on my door.
He’s a few minutes early, so I hop as I try to walk to the front, putting on a shoe at the same time.
“One sec!”
When I open the door, I’m taken aback when I see the man standing in the hallway.
Jake is here, looking handsome in slacks and a button-down, his hands behind his back. His blond hair is styled back to perfection, making his masculine features even more pronounced. While he appears just as gorgeous as always, it’s the slight