Pitifully Ugly

Chapter 29

The Southern inquisition…

I awoke the next morning feeling less cocky than I did when

I left Hailey’s apartment. I didn’t think she would back out on

our date. What worried me was the way I felt when I kissed her.

I barely had enough control to back away from her then, and that

night, I wondered if I had the restraint to keep things from getting

out of hand. I tasted the passion in her kiss, but I didn’t want to

destroy the progress we’d made by jumping on her like a wild

herd of hormones out of control.

My phone rang as my body responded to the memory of

Hailey’s sigh when she gave into my kiss. The way her hips felt as

she pressed into me—

“What, Kalen?” I said as I answered on the fourth ring.

“Is that how you answer your sister when she calls?”

“Sorry, Mom, and yes, I do bark at her when she calls me first

thing in the morning,” I said with a laugh. “Had you called me

from your phone, I would’ve been sweet.”

“Kalen and I were discussing brunch. Why don’t you join

us?”I wanted to stay in my lust-induced haze, but it was probably

best if I didn’t. “How about I pick y’all up at ten?”

I watched as Mom took the salt shaker from Kalen’s hand for

the third time. “The eggs are bland,” Kalen complained before

attacking a bowl of mandarin oranges.

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Mom looked over at me and smiled. “You look terrific this

morning. Get a good night’s sleep?”

“I did, and I have a date tonight.”

Mom and Kalen exchanged glances. “With Hailey?” Kalen

asked.

“Yep.” I knew I was beaming.

“Where are you taking her, sweetie?” Mom asked.

“I have no idea.”

Mom and Kalen exchanged glances again. “You don’t know?”

Kalen asked before she shoveled another spoonful of fruit into

her mouth.

Mom grabbed my arm. “Honey, it’s got to be somewhere

special.”

“Well, I wasn’t thinking about McDonald’s,” I said nervously

as they looked at me like I was crazy.

“What about Antoine’s, Court of Two Sisters, or Arnaud’s?”

Kalen ticked off on her fingers. “Those are all romantic places.”

“Yes, excellent choices,” Mom agreed.

“Now what are you going to wear?” Kalen waved her fork at

me. “Well, I was planning on jeans.”

“No,” Mom and Kalen said in unison.

I dropped my napkin onto the table. “I’m not showing up at

her place in a prom dress.”

“Do you have something sexy?” Mom asked.

“Mom!”

“What?”

“I feel funny about discussing this with you.”

“Well, honey, I know lesbians do more than just talk.”

“Are we done here?” I looked around to see if anyone else

was listening to the conversation.

“I think we need to go shopping,” Kalen said, ignoring me.

“Maybe visit Victoria’s Secret.”

Mom gave me a teasing grin. “I think you’d look really nice

in a pair of black slacks, you know the ones that ride low on your

waist with a snug-fitting top. Something to show off that new

figure of yours.”

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Robin Alexander

“The malls are full of sales,” Kalen offered seriously. “And

Mom says I need to walk a lot to combat fluid buildup.” She

batted her eyes at me.

“What’s up with you?” I narrowed my eyes at Kalen. “You

haven’t been hip on me seeing Hailey at all, and now you want to

dress me up for her.”

Kalen popped an orange slice into her mouth and looked at

Mom.

Mom gave a warning glance at Kalen and smiled at me. “We’ve

had a talk. Now about dinner. You need to make a reservation,

instead of winging it.”

Kalen pulled out her phone and had the number to Arnaud’s

in about half a minute. “Want me to call for you?”

“Yes,” my mother replied before I could and turned to me.

“We are going shopping.”

“Seven was the best they could do,” Kalen said as she set her

phone down.

“I need to call Hailey. That’s what time I’m supposed to pick

her up.”

The noon sun felt good on my face as I stepped outside

and dialed Hailey’s number. “Hey,” she said brightly when she

answered.

“Hi, have you recovered from last night’s hike?” I asked.

“I have, but Fuzzy is on nap number two. Are we still on for

tonight?”

“Yes, but I’m going to have to pick you up at six thirty instead

of seven. We have reservations at Arnaud’s.”

“Oh, wow, I’ve heard about that place. Very pricey.” Hailey

lowered her tone, sounding sultry. “Are you trying to impress

me?”“Yes?”

Hailey laughed. “I’m already impressed. Dinner at McDonald’s

wouldn’t diminish that.”

“I look forward to spending time with you tonight.”

“Me too,” Hailey said, sounding suddenly shy. “See you

soon.”

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Pitifully Ugly