The Perfect Holiday

“I’m sorry that it’s going to have to be around eight,” Thomas said. “I have a meeting earlier in the evening, but I’d love to see you. If that’s too late, let me know – I could always send you dinner first.”

“No, no,” I said quickly. “That’s not too late. Eight sounds perfect.”

“Good,” Thomas said. I could tell from the sound of his voice that he was smirking. “I can’t wait to see you, June.”

His voice was full of dark promise. I shivered, closing my eyes and thinking about what would happen between us.

“I can’t wait, either,” I whispered hotly into the phone.

We hung up and I clutched my phone to my chest, smiling happily and sw

aying from side to side.

“Thomas?” Angela asked.

“Oh, yeah,” I said smugly. “He called me and asked me out on Saturday. We’re going to a wine bar,” I added. “With vintage blends. And tapas!”

“That sounds great,” Angela said enviously. “God, can you bring home your leftovers?”

I laughed. “It’s tapas,” I said. “Unless I only have like one bite of each thing, there won’t be any!”

“Find an invisibility cloak and take me with you,” Angela said. She smirked.

I didn’t reply. Something had just popped into my head.

“What? June, it was a joke,” Angela said. “I didn’t actually mean—“

I grinned. “I don’t have to go out with Andy,” I said.

“Duh, now just call him and tell him.”

“No,” I said impatiently, shaking my head. “I don’t have to go out with him because Thomas asked me for a date at the same time I was supposed to meet Andy.”

“You’re just going to ghost him?” Angela raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you think he’ll be pissed?”

“Yeah,” I replied nervously. “But like, maybe he’ll get the message this time, you know?” I frowned. “I don’t want to be rude, but if he asks me about it afterwards, I’ll just tell him I was honest when I said I was busy. That way he shouldn’t ask again.”

Angela laughed. “That’s bold for you, June,” she said. “But yeah, you’re probably right.” She sighed enviously. “I’m so glad Thomas asked you out again.” She leaned in close. “Do you think you’re going to sleep with him this time?”

I flushed. “I hope so,” I said quietly. “God, I’m nervous.”

“Don’t be!”

“I am,” I said. I bit my lip. “You know I only slept with Aaron a handful of times.”

“And he was a college boy who didn’t know shit,” Angela said firmly. “Thomas is a man. Don’t be nervous, June. I’m sure he’ll be great in bed.”

I blushed. “I’m just worried that I won’t be,” I said.

Angela laughed. “Don’t be,” she said. “You’ll be fine.” She sashayed into the bathroom and closed the door, humming merrily.

I sank down on the couch and looked at my hands. As much as I wouldn’t have wanted Thomas to know, I was nervous. I’d only had sex with one guy before – Aaron, my college boyfriend. We’d been together for two years, although I hadn’t felt nearly the same way about him that I felt about Thomas. It was more like we were just friends, who started dating because it was the right thing to do. Aaron had always pushed me for more seriously commitments, but I hadn’t been ready to give him anything even close to what he’d wanted.

I just hoped Thomas didn’t view me in the same light.

Chapter Nine

Thomas