Cherry Bomb

CHAPTER 42

“OH MY GOD!” Samantha squeals. “Those boots are to die for!”

They’re bright shiny red, just like Superman wears, except these have stiletto heels and red fringe around the top. Might as well write I’m a stripper across the tops.

“And they’re only eighty bucks! I’m soooo buying these!”

“I think I’ll get a pair too,” Alex says, battling her reluctance and picking one up. She checks the insole. Fabrique by Enrique Perez. A nobody, with zero fashion sense.

“You’ll look totally hot in those, Gracie.”

Was Sammy just being friendly? Or flirting? “Thanks. So will you.”

“I know I’m in shape, but I don’t have definition like you do. You can see your leg muscles through your pants.”

Sammy runs a finger along Alex’s thigh. This is definitely flirting.

“I work out a lot.”

“I knew you did. Pilates?”

Alex pictures her martial arts kata, kicking and striking to break imaginary boards and bones.

“Something like that,” she answers.

“I’ve tried them all. Jazz-Kwon-Do. Swimmerobics. Tramp-O-Chi-that’s tai chi on a trampoline, not with tramps, which would be gross. The local gym has a Spankercize class, but I don’t think I want my personal trainer whacking my ass.”

“Might be fun.”

“Depends on the spanker,” Sam says, winking.

The clerk comes by, and they request two pairs of Enrique’s finest, in the same size. This naturally provokes a squeal of delight from Sam. How nice it must be to get excited over such trivial things. Half an hour ago, she practically died of plea sure because the mall sound system played a Muzak version of Nirvana.

“So where to next? We hit all boutiques in the mall. There’s a Boston Store. I think they have a sale going on.”

“I’m starving,” Alex says. “How about food?”

“I know this groovy little Thai place. They’ve got this green curry to die for. I love spicy foods. They make me hot.”

Alex smiles her half smile. “Then we have to try it. Can you drive?”

“Sure!”

Sam takes Alex’s arm, and they walk out of the mall, Sam yapping and giggling, Alex genuinely amused by this woman’s spirit and enthusiasm. The enthusiasm is dampened somewhat when they get to Sam’s car.

A Prius.

“It gets sixty miles per gallon. It’s so green. I’m all about the planet. People are destroying the earth. We all need to conserve, or there won’t be enough left for everyone.”

“Or we could just kill a lot of people.”

Sam raises an eyebrow at Alex, then begins to laugh.

“God, you’re so funny! I thought you were serious!”

Alex lets out a few chuckles, hoping they don’t sound as forced as they feel. When they’re in the car, Alex touches Sam’s arm.

“Samantha, I’m having a good time, and I don’t want to be reading you wrong. But you do like girls, right?”

“You mean sexually?”

Alex nods.

“Sure! I’m totally bi. I mean, guys are great, but most of them are really impatient, you know what I mean? Women know how to take their time. Don’t you think?”

Alex nods, but the truth is, she’s feeling pretty impatient right now too.

After dinner, she tells herself.

They hold hands as Sam pulls out of the parking lot.