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Twenty-Six

CLAUDIA

“And this guy…” Lauren went on. “He’s an artist and a football player?”

I giggled from inside the dressing room. Pulled on the top of the dress I was trying on, bringing it higher up on my breasts.

“Yup.”

“And he’s a swimmer too,” Lauren said. She sounded skeptical now. “And you say he’s handy around the house?”

“Very.”

I laughed inwardly this time. Hey, technically I was telling the truth. To an extent, at least. Lauren didn’t have to know I was talking about three guys instead of one.

Not yet, anyway.

“So what the hell does he look like? Superman?

“Like an athlete,” I called out. “Tall and ripped and totally gorgeous. Washboard stomach. And also—”

“Well shit!” she interjected. “Does he have a brother?”

A whole fraternity of them, I wanted to say. Or at least, used to…

I stepped out of the dressing room and spun around. Lauren looked me up and down, then let out a low whistle.

“Good?”

“No,” she smirked. “Not good.”

I lowered my head in disappointment. “Oh.”

“Astonishing!”

“Really?” My face lit up as I stared into the mirror. She was right. The tight red dress was slit up the side, the perfect mix of sexy and classy. Even with the plunging neckline it looked great around my hips and thighs. I turned to the side and beamed.

“Yeah yeah,” she said, pretending to be peeved. “It also makes you ass look magnificent.”

Holy shit it actually did. I clapped my hands together.

“You some lose weight while I was gone?” Lauren asked.

“A little,” I said. “Been working out at the University gym. Probably tightened a few things up.”

In truth, Brandon had been working out with me when he could. He’d showed me where the gym was to begin with, plus a few new exercises while he was there. I figured the place was free to students and faculty, might as well take advantage of it.

“So this is the one, right?” I asked. “You’re sure?”

“Hey,” said Lauren. “If I was going to an art premiere with my football player, swim-star, artistic boyfriend?” She winked. “Yeah, this would be the dress.”

“Good then let’s go,” I said, heading for the register. “Lunch is on me. And no more about my sad pathetic dating life,” I teased. “I want to hear all about Italy.”

Lunch was fantastic. Seeing Lauren, even more so. She told me all about her trip with her sisters and family. The things they saw, the guys they met…

By the time it was over, it was sad to watch her leave. I’d forgotten how good it was to hang out with friends again. Silently I vowed to keep more in touch, and be less of a ghost in my friend’s life.

That wasn’t entirely your fault though.