stood in the dressing room, hands on her hips and fingers tapping madly over her middle, scowling at the other ten she’d brought in. Normally a cami and panties sleeper, if anything, she tended to avoid the fancy stuff. As most were unflattering at best, she had given up trying.
But over lunch, well, sometimes topics came up, and apparently, Devon had a bit of an addiction. On a vacation to escape from home Charlie, she decided it might be time to try something new.
The sounds of the shop hummed, muffled by the heavy curtains, thick carpet, and lush fainting couch of the dressing room. Charlie glared at her finds and asked, “Devon, are you still there?”
“Right here,” she answered, her voice growing louder as she popped close again.
“You’re sure about the black lace? I mean, I want to send the right message, and I’m not sure I’m a black lace person. I look like a dominatrix with a wedgie.” It was hot. A few years ago, she had decided to love her body, and didn’t feel insecure in it. But, yikes, it was a very loud spank-me message.
A muffled laugh from Devon. “I’m sure you look hot. But you have to feel it. I suggest the rose-pink cotton one, the sheer black one instead of lace, and then either the corset-style one with the matching thong or the sweet eyelet-trim one, whichever you are more comfortable in.”
“No one has ever used the word comfort in the context of corsets.”
Devon snorted a goofy laugh. “I didn’t mean physical comfort, I meant one you could see yourself having fun with. I sure as hell wouldn’t wear a corset for more than a few minutes. Plus, I really want you to choose that one, because we flat-chested women rarely find corsets that don’t make these pancakes into squished pancakes or stick out too far and leave a big gap between fabric and boob, so I need to live vicariously.”
Charlie fell into the moment, and a laugh erupted from her throat. “Devon, I didn’t realize you were an over-sharer.”
“Not usually,” she said, chuckling a few feet away. “Apparently, you bring it out in me.”
“Aw. That makes me so happy. I love it when my overshares are returned in kind.” She slipped off the black lace and hung it back on the hanger. Not ready for that.
Her phone buzzed, and a very drunk selfie came in from Pike, three glassy-eyed guys singing cheek-to-cheek in a tavern. Bubbling from deep in her belly, a riotous laugh made it all better.
“Devon? Did you get that pic?”
“No,” she popped closer again. “What pic?”
She stuck out her phone, still hiding behind the curtain.
Devon hooted a vibrant laugh. “Oh. Oh my. I’m so glad they’re not planning to drive themselves.”
“Right?” She brought the phone back in and glared at the corset on the hanger.
Just outside the curtain, Devon whispered, “You should send a selfie.”
“You know I’m naked, right?”
“Perhaps,” she said with no trace of innocence.
“And just who would I sext?”
“If I say it out loud, then I will admit that I know something, and if I know something, I would set up a terrible start to a relationship, holding something that important back from Alexei. So, you need to tell him ASAP so I don’t have to feel guilty.”
She stuck her head out of the curtain, keeping the rest pinned shut to hide her nakedness. “You can’t tell him. It’s not a thing. I mean, it’s a thing, but… it’s just for the trip. We both have relationship issues, and we have agreed to work on them together. Practice dating.”
“No,” Devon said with her lower lip in full pout. “I want you guys to get together for real. I plan on keeping Alexei, and he and Pike are close, so… wouldn’t that be awesome, to see each other all the time?”
She popped her head back into the dressing room and squeezed the corset up her legs, then realized it had a front lace-up system and loosened it to hike it up the rest of the way. “Like it or not, I’m friending you indefinitely so we’ll see each other anyway.” In place, she cinched up the contraption. “I glomp onto every guy I date, and I need to learn how to test-drive a guy before taking out a loan with outrageous interest rates and later find out the car has no oomph and crappy mileage.”
“Did you just compare dating to buying a car?”
“I really did. I relationship every guy I date. Like, there is no dating, it’s ‘Hi, I’m Charlie, let’s move in together.’”
“You and Alexei never moved in together.”
She huffed a groan. “Thank fucking goodness. I think it’s because we were already easygoing friends, and we went from a drunken New Year’s thing to being a couple in the span of an hour, then back to easygoing friends just as quickly. Yet we made it almost a year. What if I didn’t get so serious so quickly? If I kept it casual like normal people, maybe I’d discover sooner that they’re not keepers. You know, once you’re in, sometimes it’s hard to see that it would be better to be apart.”
“Ugh. I know that only too well. Alexei’s the first guy I’ve dated who isn’t a loser.” She snorted. “Of course, I don’t know if it’s technically a relationship, I mean, it’s been days…”
Charlie hoisted her boobs up and tied the final ribbon. Damn. Okay, maybe not her normal, but she looked like a siren. With the delicate cream fabric and simple chiffon to rein in the girls, she didn’t feel like a slut, but still felt hot. “The Jenners have this thing about ‘when you know you know.’ I’d love to think they’re not wrong.”
“Sounds like a romance novel. Those don’t always translate to reality.”
Rotating back and forth, hip out, hands on her hips, chest out, she looked at her reflection, and couldn’t help but laugh at herself. It was a pretty piece of impracticality.
“Charlie?” Devon asked from right outside the curtain, a quiet hesitance to her tone.
“Yeah?” she answered.
“What if I’m not as hooked on him as I think I am, and he’s not as hung-up on me as I’m making him out to be? What if I’m just not used to decent guys?”
She popped her head out again. “He’s one of the most decent guys I know. And, I’ve never seen him like this. With anyone. Definitely not with me. I’ve got a good feeling about you two.”
She plucked her phone from on top of her bag and stood in front of the mirror. Dammit. Here goes nothing. She snapped the selfie. Wincing, she swiped to see the shot.
Eek. What was that expression? She deleted and tried again. Then again.
Devon snorted a laugh.
“What?”
“Alexei says Hank is drunk-dialing Mae.”
In her sixth attempt, she checked the pic, and didn’t care that her hair had come free from its braid and had drifted into her face. “That is too frigging adorable,” she answered while considering if she should send it, then reminded herself that home Charlie wasn’t here, and that this wasn’t just about learning from her mistakes, but experimenting in a safe environment.
She texted to Pike, Can anyone see your phone?
No…
Here goes nothing. She sent the pic.
Nothing. Nothing. Long pause.
She texted again, Pike?!?!
Just appreciating. Give me a sec. Finally, he texted again, Thanks. Now I need to order another round so I can calm this down before we go.
Way too excited to have sent her first NSFW pic, she grinned, pleased as fucking punch that he appreciated it. She untied and slipped out of the corset, then gathered her favorites, the eyelet one too, and got dressed. At the checkout, she tossed in a few cute panties while her goodies were wrapped delicately in paper packaging.
Her phone buzzed again. So… I don’t have to delete this after we get back home, right?
Garnering amused looks from the cashier and pretty much everyone else near the register, her cheeks flaming red, she squealed a laugh and texted back, Merry Christmas. Consider it part of your present.
If you want headphones, I may need more than one pic. You know, balance it out.
From deep in her belly, a riotous laugh erupted, earning her even more looks. She accepted the bag from the cashier and waited by the door for Devon.
If you want more pics, you’re going to have to work for it. She closed her lips to mute her smile. This could quickly get out of hand. Shaking it off, she texted again, On our way to you.
A prickly gust of wind knocked her sideways as she stepped onto the sidewalk, but she tipped her head into the breeze, cooling her cheeks that were flaming red thanks to Pike’s texts. Theoretically, it might be a while before she got to test out her new dating skills, or maybe even need a few more lessons after they got home, so she could—
Nope. Shit. That was relationshippy thinking. It wouldn’t be the embarrassment, but the attachment that made it so they wouldn’t be able to look at each other after they got home.
On the sidewalk, Devon looked back and forth, pulled a tube of lip balm from her pocket and dabbed her lips. “I should see if Cassie and Lida are done with their errands and help them load up our gear. Alexei gave me his keys to drive his truck home so I can escape anytime.”
“See? If he lets you drive his truck already, it’s true love.”
Devon blushed and dug into her coat for her phone.
“I’d plop him in with you, but I’m not sure drunk Alexei will be able to behave himself. Anyway, wish me luck.”
“You’re gonna need it,” Devon said, winking before backing away and messaging Alexei’s moms.
The walk was short, brisk, and her stomach fizzed with nerves. Had she really sent a half-naked pic to her drunk practice boyfriend? A shiver washed over her that had little to do with the weather.
From the sidewalk outside the tavern, she heard laughter and Christmas carols that were so lively the windows shook. Inside, she found the entire post-lunch crowd was either crackling an awful karaoke tune, playing pool, shuffleboard, or filtering and meeting new people. Wow, she’d never seen Hank light up the town, as he was rumored to be gifted at, but he hadn’t lost his touch from what it appeared.
She made her way through the crowd, and found them settled back in their booth, a duo of strangers toasting at the end of their table before moving on. As she passed a newly emptied table, a server was just stacking a pitcher and glasses. She startled when she almost collided with Charlie and laughed when she realized Charlie was here for the trio in the corner. “Which one’s yours?”
One eyebrow arced high, and she chewed her cheek as she considered. “All of them.”
“Well. They’re a delight, fortunately. But I don’t envy them for the afternoon they have ahead.”
She winced and nodded. “Please say they’ve had water.”
“Kept them as hydrated and fed as I could.” Jolene, per the nametag, gave her a final smile and patted her shoulder. “Merry Christmas. And congratulations.”
Oh. Huh. She must have thought she was Devon. Alexei must have shared everything with Hank—and the entire tavern.
As she approached the table, Hank popped up and limped the first few steps. He pulled her in for a dance and beamed. “Charlie, my dear, you are going to make my grandson very happy.”
Or not? This charade had gone on long enough.
Hank spun her, stopping just shy of a full dip, or they’d both tumble over. His powder blue eyes sparkled, albeit a bit glassy, as he let her steady them both.
“Have a drink with us,” he said, beaming a grin as bright as the afternoon sun on the mountain.
“I’d love to, but I am in charge of getting you all home safely. Ready?” Charlie squeezed out and started nudging them toward the door.
“I suppose. Mae will be wanting all the scoop.”
“Grampa,” Alexei warned, plucking Hank’s coat from the hook at their table. “Not yet.”
“Well, hurry along with this business so I can gloat,” he said, patting Alexei on the shoulder, then reached to reel in Pike. “Nothing I wouldn’t do for my grandsons.”
In the middle of a squeeze, Pike shared a sweet smile with her, the corner turned up the lightest bit, and she could tell he was reeling from a strange afternoon. Past the windows that were swathed in Christmas lights, she could just make out the cloud break closing back over the sun, bringing another dappling of snow.
A smidge taller than Alexei and almost as tall as Pike, and with the stiffness that came with age, Hank leaned on his grandsons, with no sign of wanting to leave. Pike slipped out from the hug and nodded for Alexei to lead the way.
Charlie followed behind a wobbly Alexei and Hank, pausing before going outside to grab the keys from her purse. The moment the door closed, Alexei and Hank safely on the sidewalk, Pike came up behind her and slid his arms around her middle. He tugged her against him, nuzzling her neck.
“Pike,” she hissed. “Not here.”
Leaning in, shifting around her braid, he pressed a sloppy-sweet kiss on her neck. “They’re not paying attention,” he whispered. “Besides, slim chance they’re going to remember anything.”
She whacked him gently with her bag and he released her, but she hooked her fingers with his briefly before walking outside. “I have a few theories on what you guys were up to.” She nodded ahead at the jewelry store. “This morning, Mae was telling me how Hank proposed to her. How she’d thought he was so impulsive, that she’d have talked about it first, but he surprised her and she was over the moon for him.”
Pike breathed long and slow, and he clenched his jaw, the muscle at the edge pulsing before he feigned a smile. “They’re pulling out all the stops, aren’t they?”
“No. He wouldn’t go that far, if he didn’t think Alexei was serious?”
The jaw ticked faster.
“You okay?”
He rubbed a hand over his face. Despite the chill, he released her hand to strip out of his coat, snowflakes sticking to his unseasonal white t-shirt and low-slung jeans. “Fine. Just… trashed,” he said, puffing out his cheeks and feigning a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
In front of them, Hank hummed something charming, and Alexei beamed like she’d never seen before. Okay, maybe the delirious happiness in front of them might have sunk Pike’s mood. Beautiful, but when resorting to practice dating with one’s cousin’s ex-girlfriend, well, that sort of bliss over raw wounds was probably a buzz killer.
When they neared the car, the front two kept walking. “Guys. We’re here,” she said, the pair teetering as they turned, laughing at their faux pas.
Hank aimed for the backseat, and Pike said, “Climb up front, Grampa.”
“Nah,” he said, patting his chest pocket and leaning to whisper something in Pike’s ear.
Pike nodded and huffed an exhale.
Charlie stood back, waiting for her charges to load up.
Alexei stopped before climbing in, and walked back over to Pike. “Think we could convince Grampa to go get something pierced?”
In an instant, a heaviness seemed to lift, and the corner of Pike’s mouth quirked into a wicked grin. “We’re already going to be in deep shit for letting him get so trashed.”
“Aw, man,” Alexei said, knocking a fist into Pike’s shoulder.
Pike slipped his hand around and retaliated with a fake-out punch, landing one of his own in Alexei’s abdomen, with a little more force.
Bursting with a giddy laugh, Alexei tried to throw another, but sank his boot in a mound of snow and his feet flew out from under him. On his butt, hands on the frozen ground, he tipped his head back and laughed from deep in his throat.
Pike reached and hoisted him up, the two of them teetering and about to topple over the other way.
Charlie steadied her hand on Pike’s back, and he laughed and found his balance.
He opened the back passenger door and waved Alexei in. “My car. Get in back.”