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After I changed back into my clothes, I came out of the dressing room to find multiple pairs of shoes waiting for me near a plush chair.

“Uh, I already have shoes. Actually, I have a lot of shoes,” I said.

“That’s the understatement of the century,” Ray muttered.

“Ms. Ella said Mr. Hyde instructed we get you everything you need, and that includes shoes.” Ava added three more pairs to the already impressive stack.

“Also, side note, there are no khakis or sweater sets,” Ray told me, clearly disappointment.

“Well, of course not. Plus, why would she wear khakis or a sweater set to a formal event?” Ava asked.

“She wouldn’t.” Ray lowered her voice, though we were the only three in the store. “It’s a fetish thing Mr. Hyde has.”

“She’s kidding! Totally kidding. Hey, those shoes are nice!” I gestured dramatically to a random pair of shoes on a display.

Ava looked distracted as she glanced over. “I’m not really sure those will work, but we’ll see.”

“You’re evil,” I hissed at Ray, as Ava went to get whatever I’d pointed to.

“Yeah, I know. Twenty bucks says there is amajorincrease in suburban gear at the bars, though.”

Before I could respond, Ava returned with a pair of black, shimmery, very high-heeled sandals. The intricate black wrappings around the toes and a thick ankle strap added just the right touch of wild to compliment the dress.

“They look like little bondage devices for your feet!” Ray giggled as I took them off, passing them to Ava.

She tilted her head to the side and looked down at the shoes in her hands. “I wonder how that fits with the khakis,” she muttered to herself.

Ray burst out laughing, startling Ava from her beige S&M thoughts.

I followed Ava when she walked to the register, leaving a still laughing Ray behind.

After I paid, I dropped Ray off at her parlor and went home to carefully put my purchases in the guest room closet.

When I caught myself peeking at my dress for what had to be the twentieth time, I knew I needed to find something else to do. I decided to get ready to see a hungry and energetic Jake. I wasn’t sure which I was looking forward to most, and I’d been putting alotof thought into it.

As I was getting changed, I heard my cell in the living room ring with Jake’s tone. I hurried in to grab it before it went to voicemail.

“Hey,” I breathed, partially because of where my thoughts had been and partially from running like a dingus through my house.

“Fuck, sweets, what were you doin’?” Jake’s low whisper rumbled through the phone and straight through me.

“I was getting changed.”

“Tell me you’re naked right now. No, don’t. That’ll make things harder.”

I giggled. “Yeah, baby, that’s kinda the point.”

“Not when I gotta cancel for tonight.”

“Oh.”

“Shit is fucked to hell here.” One of the boys in the back called his name at the same time another phone started ringing. “Fuck, I gotta go. Sorry, sweets.”

“No biggie.” I hoped I kept the disappointment out of my voice. It was never particularly quiet there, but I could tell it was even more chaotic than usual.

“It’s gonna be a long night. I’m just gonna crash here or at my place, yeah?”

“Yeah. Good luck,” I said before we clicked off.