“Okay, but what exactly would this blind date entail?”
My best friend thinks a bit, and at that moment, the baby wakes up and starts to cry. She soothes Luna as she meets my eyes through the camera in her phone. “You know what? I’ll give Cameron your number, okay? He already knows about you, so the ball’s already started rolling. This is going to be so much fun!”
I gape at her.
“He knows about me?”
Patty nods while repositioning her breast in Luna’s mouth.
“Yes, definitely, otherwise how would this work? But just stay tuned because it’s going to be fun. And definitely check your junk texts because I know cell phones are so powerful these days that sometimes, they route messages from unknown numbers straight to spam. Keep an eye out for a text from him,” she warns.
I nod, smiling ruefully.
“Okay, I will. I’ll wait to hear.”
With that, we say goodbye and I blow a kiss at little Luna. Then, we switch off our phones and I flop back down onto my bed. Seriously, a date with the uber-handsome Cameron Hanssen, suave man about town? It sounds so unlikely because I’m plump and definitely not slinky nor sexy, but then again, my best friend seems to think it’ll work.
What I didn’t mention is that my other friend, Jemima, also contacted me recently about setting me up with her older brother, Justin. Holy cow, I have two set-ups in the works! When it rains, it pours, doesn’t it? But I merely sigh and smile to myself. Hopefully, one of these dates will pan out and even if they don’t, I still have myself, and I’ll be happy no matter what happens.
4
Corrie
* * *
I grab my clutch from the table by the door and look down once more at the sexy cocktail dress clinging to my curves. It’s black and silky, falling to just above my knees, with lace trimming the hem, sleeves, and neckline. It highlights my hills and valleys in a good way, accentuating my breasts and hips while keeping my tummy tucked in. This dress is one of my favorites, and it’s perfect for tonight’s rendezvous with Cameron Hanssen.
As I lock up my door, my clutch starts to buzz. My stomach sinks, expecting to find a message from Cameron cancelling our date because in the back of my mind, I still have doubts. He’s a gorgeous billionaire whereas I’m a nobody. I knew this was too good to be true!
With one eye closed to avoid the embarrassment, I check the text, and then breathe a sigh of relief because it’s just a message from Patty.
“Good luck! Have fun!” she writes.
Quickly, I text back.
“Thanks. I’m really nervous.”
Patty sends an eye-roll emoji and writes, “You’re being negative, Cor. Stop that. He’ll like you because You. Are. Awesome.”
I smile and send her a silly emoji before tucking the phone away. Then I slip into a pair of stiletto booties, and wobble a bit. Oooh, these are really high, and the black suede clings to my ankles. Well, at least they look good.
I mince down the paved walkway towards my car, admiring the flowers still in bloom along the path. The apartment management does a good job with this complex, which I appreciate, and I’ve enjoyed living here. Of course, my place is humble because I’m still a student, but I’ve made the space cozy and inviting nonetheless.
Quickly, I slip into my Civic and pull onto the road towards the Sherwood Hotel. I hum along to a few songs on the radio, nervously tapping my fingers on the steering wheel. This is my favorite station, and it usually calms me down, but today it’s not working. The prospect of a blind date is all-consuming and even more crazy, I can’t believe I have to do this again tomorrow night with Justin. What was I thinking, planning two dates back-to-back?
But in an even crazier coincidence, both men invited me to the Sherwood Hotel. Isn’t that strange? It seems this might be the place to see and be seen, although I have no idea when it comes to chic city living. After all, as a student, I’m not exactly rolling in dough. The fanciest meals I eat generally involve splurging on an exotic cheese from the fromagerie downtown, before layering that and some prosciutto on a roll of toasty French country bread. It might be simple, but it hits the spot.
After about twenty minutes, I pull into the Sherwood’s garage and climb out, careful not to sprain an ankle in these heels. The elevator’s over in the back right corner, and I press the button before getting in. Once the doors open, I gasp because the Sherwood Hotel is gorgeous. The cathedral ceiling soars, and there are pendant lamps casting a warm glow over the lobby. Quickly, I make my way over the marble floor to the bar area. I recognize Cameron immediately. He’s seated at the long, mahogany strip wearing an expensive suit, with his dark hair brushed back. His profile is proudly Roman, and a fancy watch glints from beneath his sleeve as he lifts a glass of amber liquid to his lips.