The rest of the week has flown by. I plan to give Sienna a few more days before reaching out to Noelle. I gently approached the subject with Jenny during a phone call during my free period yesterday. Surprisingly, she seemed receptive even though the suggestion was mine. Perhaps she has changed.
After a long morning walk, I find another delivery on my porch. This time it’s from the girls, not Auggie. I’m sure they know about our date by now.
I tear into the package. I’ve never seen this logo before.
Caroline,
Have a wonderful date. We can’t wait to hear about it.
Billie, Noelle, & Savannah
I’m floored by what I find inside the package. It’s a dark blue bra with a black lace overlay and a matching bikini. I’ve never seen a bra so pretty I didn’t want to touch it. When I finally feel the fabric, it’s so soft and silky. How on earth did they get my sizes right? Then I remember Billie has all my measurements from my gala gowns.
I open the group text labelled: The girl gang.
Me: Are you ladies out of your mind?
Savannah: Not even a little.
Noelle: Absolutely not.
Billie: The best thing you can bring with you is confidence. Our gift will help.
Me: How do you know I’m terrified?
Billie: You and Auggie have been dancing around your feelings for years.
Noelle: I assumed you were a couple when Auggie made our dinner.
Savannah: Same. The way you two look at each other is filled with heat and, dare I say, love.
Billie: What they said. We’re simply overjoyed Auggie finally saw what was right in front of his face for over a decade. Have a great time. Love you bunches.
Me: Thanks. Love you bunches more.
I grab the box and hurry through a shower before trying on the luxurious lingerie. I slip on the panties, and I literally feel like I didn’t put anything on. The fabric is soft against my skin. The bra too. I’m in deep trouble. I can only imagine how much of a dent this is going to make in my bank account for future purchases. The girls are a bit more well off than me. I’m sure this cost more than I spend on all my lingerie in six months. Billie’s right though, my confidence is through the roof. I change out of my gift and get ready for a day of grading English essays about E. E. Cummings and his seminal works of poetry.
I make it through a third of my essays before my mind wanders to tomorrow. I’m crazy nervous. It’s Auggie. No reason to be nervous. No, it’s exactly why I should be nervous—it’s Auggie. We could ruin everything. No, it’s going to be fantastic. My mind flashes to our talk on his couch and when I accepted his invitation. His skilled hands on my body felt… right. No, perfect, like they should have been there so long ago. I can only imagine what our first kiss will feel like—well, second I guess. I decide to put my feelings out there.
Me: Are you nervous too?
I send the text before I think better of it. He’s working. He won’t be able to respond until the wee hours of the morning. Much to my surprise, he answers almost immediately.
Auggie: Yes.
Me: How are you answering me right now? Aren’t you at work?
Auggie: Yes, but you’re more important than table 10’s filet.
I don’t even know how to respond to his text. My heart starts pounding harder.
Me: Thank you.
Auggie: Always. I’ll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams.
Me: You too.
I’m glad I sent the text. I relax a bit more and finish grading the stack of papers. Near nine I clean up and stand before my closet, willing the perfect outfit to reveal itself. Almost an hour later, most of my tops are strewn all over my bed and every pair of jeans I own are on the closet floor. I step over those clothes, grab a tote, and pack for the second part of our date, which calls for loungewear. Selecting those clothes was much easier. I toss a pair of capri leggings, a tank top, threadbare tee, a frayed cuff hoodie, and tennis shoes into the bag.
As I put away the contents of my closet, I select my outfit for the morning. I opt for a pair of straight leg jeans in a dark wash, a green V-neck sweater, and flats. I select a set of my own lingerie, not my new set from the girls.
I have done everything I can, now I simply need to relax and forget I’ve been waiting for my date with Auggie tomorrow for the last few years. That isn’t accurate. I’ve wanted this date since we were sophomores in boarding school.