I’m losing my mind. Jeff will not let me live this down. He’ll tease me mercilessly at least for the next twenty-four hours.
“Dora, I need to pee. Like, really need to,” Jeff whines through the door.
I pull it open and avoid eye contact, moving into my closet and shutting the door. Juvenile, but I need more time to analyze my dream. It’s all Jeff’s fault, putting the idea into my head. Yes, that’s it. It’s not what I subconsciously want, it’s because he planted the seed and I allowed it to grow. It’s time I forget about anything sexual and just concentrate on graduating school and getting on with my life. I will only stay in the loft until I graduate, and then I’ll find another place.
Of course, I could always become a nun, and that would take care of a place to live and make it easier to forget about sex. Oh hell, I’m going to hell for that thought, and I’m sure Henry won’t be able to help me.
“Is there a reason you’re hiding in your closet?” Jeff asks through the door, “or is this some new thing you’re trying out? I want to go and hit the after Christmas sales, so hurry your cute little butt up and let’s go fight the hordes. We have money to spend.”
I quickly get dressed, and we’re out the door in roughly fifteen minutes. We have money to spend, and I’m good at that. Heck, I could use the distraction anyway.
19
New Year’s Eve is usually both a sad and happy time for me. Saying goodbye to the old year and starting out with a clean slate. New resolutions—okay, so technically not new … but the old ones I didn’t follow through on, redirected to the New Year. This year, I will stick with them until completion.
The first one is to lose the ten frickin’ pounds I gained this year. Okay, so it was the year before, but it’s a new resolution this year. Next, get grow a backbone and start telling people no. No to overtime, no to Sunday dinner when I don’t want to go, and no to boyfriends who cheat. Okay, so that’s a new one because last year I was still with The Jackass, and was completely oblivious to the fact he was cheating on me.
Another new resolution is to get financially sound so I can live by myself. So save, save, and save some more for me because I don’t want roommates. I want to live by myself just in case I find the perfect man, with a job, and who’s completely devoted to me, that I can have sex in every room without having to worry about being interrupted.
Colin and Liam are returning today, and except for the text Drew received on Christmas from Liam saying his family was relieved that he finally revealed his secret, we hadn’t heard much from either of them. As for Liam’s “secret,” it wasn’t a secret. Apparently, the whole town knew. They were waiting for him to tell them. I can’t wait to talk to him. He told Drew to tell me that he couldn’t wait to hug me when he gets back. Yeah, hug. For me, from Liam. Life is good.
Jeff is also waiting patiently—not—to see him again. I so hope there’s a connection on Liam’s part because I think Jeff really wants this to happen. Then, three of my best friends will be in committed relationships and I’ll be poor Dora who gets invited to things as an awkward third, fifth, or even seventh wheel. I can’t believe I’m a spinster at twenty-two. I guess there’s no hope for me. All I have to look forward to in the future romance department are probably a few one-night stands, but nothing more.
Great, now I’ve totally bummed myself out on a day that’s supposed to herald new beginnings. Out with the old and in with the new. Yeah, right. Whoever started this brilliant idea?
“What are you wearing to the party tonight?” Jeff asks, looking over his shoulder at me.
“I don’t want to go.”
“You can’t avoid it. After all, it’s going to be right here, so you kind of have to attend.” Jeff’s head swivels back to the football game he’s been watching.
“I still don’t have to go. I can just lock my door and no one will miss me.”
“Julie, Kevin, Drew, Colin, Liam, and me, we’ll miss you. So, get in that closet and find something hot and sexy,” he says, not bothering to turn around.
“Hot and sexy? The place will be filled with hot and sexy. I’ll just come as plain and boring. No one will notice.”
“Quit fishing for compliments. You know you’re beautiful, so quit feeling sorry for yourself. You can hang with those skinny sticks any old day.”
He won’t give up, so I guess I’d better find something to wear. There’s the little black dress, but I’ve worn that so many times. Nothing else seems New Yearish in my wardrobe.
“Check out the bag hanging up in the back,” Jeff yells at me like I’m across town, even though we’re only a few feet from each other.
There’s a black bag hanging up with his clothes, so I grab it and lay it on the bed. I pull down the zipper slowly, revealing a dress that is way out of my price range, like maybe two years’ worth of my meager income. It’s in one word: indescribably beautiful. Okay, so that’s two words. Sue me.
“So, do you like it?” Jeff somehow snuck up behind me, and he lays his head on my shoulder, watching me feel the fabric. It’s so soft and is a lovely turquoise color.
“Jeff, it’s beautiful, but how can you afford this? Your parents have you on a strict budget of nothing but what you earn. We spent your Christmas money, didn’t we?”
“No, we didn’t. I’m not that foolish. I kept enough so I don’t have to work like crazy my last semester, and to buy you this. I saw it the other day and I thought, ‘That would look amazing on Dora with her gorgeous curly red hair,’ so I bought it. Look at the bottom of the bag. I found shoes to match. Yep, they’re ‘fuck me’ pumps—I mean ‘fuck you’ pumps. You know what I mean.”
I shake my head. Tears cloud my eyesight as I grab the amazing platform heels that match the dress perfectly. I turn quickly and hug him, at a loss for words. He stands back, holding me at an arm’s length away, giving me a goofy smile.
“Happy tears, I hope.”
I nod my head and drag him in for another hug.
“Now go and try it on. I know it’ll fit, but I want to see it on you, and I promised your mom I would take a picture and send it to her.”
“Yeah, like she’ll be able to open it on her phone. Jeff I…I love you, and I don’t think I tell you that enough.”
“And I love you too, so move your cute little butt and do some modeling for me. You’re going to leave them breathless tonight.”
I release a squeal and then laugh when Jeff covers his ears. I make a beeline for the bathroom to take a quick shower. I’m not trying on that amazing creation with dirty skin—okay, so unwashed-since-yesterday skin.
“Dora, I thought you were going to take a quick shower, but it’s been more than an hour,” Jeff says through the closed door.
“Come in. I’m just putting lotion on my legs. I want to look perfect for my perfect outfit. At least I don’t have to paint my toenails, not that anyone will see them in my shoes. How should I wear my hair, up or down? And makeup? Subtle but still sexy? Don’t stand there, help me.” Yeah, I know I’m whining a bit. I really want to make everyone notice me.
“Slow down there, fireball. We have a few hours before the event, and I ordered pizza. Before you say anything, I made it half vegetable for me and half sausage for you.”
“Have I told you lately how much I love you?”
“Yes, about an hour ago, but I’ll never tire of it. Just remember this moment when you get angry next time, and remind yourself how wonderful of a friend I am to you,” he laughs.
“You’re more than a friend. You’re my soul mate,” I say and watch his eyebrow rise at my statement.