Page 38 of Deliverance

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Nothing,” She laughs as she keeps her forehead pressed against mine. “You’re just so beautiful…I can’t seem to help myself around you, which is a first for me.”

“Yeah?” I ask, liking her words far more than I should.

She nods before swallowing and licking her lips. Slowly, she exhales a heavy breath before her eyes come to mine.

“Can I take you out tonight?”

I pause at her words.

“Like…a date?” I ask, my brows pulling together as I do.

“Well, yeah. I want to spend time with you somewhere other than these four walls. I want to take my girl out.”

“Your girl?” I echo.

Slowly, I start to pull away when Maggie’s hold on me tightens, and she presses her lips against mine. That has my movements stilling as she speaks against my mouth.

“Don’t run from me, baby B. Stay. Just…stay.”

I close my eyes, anxiety and nerves running through me as I think over her proposition. I mean, I’m not even considering it. At all. A date? With a woman? Not likely.

Maybe we could go to dinner, as friends, but it’s not going to be romantic or anything. I don’t have romantic feelings for Maggie, I couldn’t possibly. She’s just…

My inner thoughts die away when my eyes lock with hers. Her gaze is so full of hope, practically pleading with me. I don’t know how she does it or why it happens, but just like that, one look into her hypnotic green eyes and I find myself nodding my head.

“Sure, but if it’s not Italian, I’m not going.”

Maggie grins, a smile so bright it shines more brilliantly than the August sun. She gives me a soft peck before standing to her feet.

“Whatever my baby wants.”

Again, that damn stomach dip.

I don’t even try to pretend I don’t stare at her ass as she walks away in her tight black jean shorts. The bottom of her ass cheeks are barely hanging out and I don’t know why I find it so incredibly sexy, but I do.

Fuck. I think it’s official, there is no denying it, at least in my head. I am full blown attracted to Maggie. Does that mean I’m gay now? Or bi? Or…fuck, I don’t know. I don’t know what to think. For some reason, though, it’s not terrifying or intimidating. Maybe because I don’t have time to spiral or freak out right now. I have a date to get ready for.

* * *

Five hours later, my body is showered, exfoliated, shaved, and moisturized. My hair is straight and my makeup is done to perfection. I smear on a rich pigmented red lipstick to finish my look before standing back in the mirror.

Wow, I’m not even going to pretend to be modest. I’m so fucking pretty.

Honestly, I think everyone should look in the mirror and tell themselves they’re pretty once a day. Would probably cure a lot of people of their physical insecurities.

The white off the shoulder summer dress I chose is absolutely perfect. It’s a flowy dress with a lot of body that falls about mid-thigh, but it snatches my waist like no other. Slipping on a pair of wedge sandals, I grab my bag before stepping out of my bedroom door.

Making my way down the stairs, I find Brad rotting away on the couch in front of some obnoxiously loud show, as Calista strides down the hallway before stopping short. She drags her eyes over me assessingly. Not in a motherly way, but more of a competitive way. Irritation fills her eyes when her gaze meets mine. Guess someone doesn’t like the reminder that she isn’t twenty-one anymore.

I didn’t know what to think of Calista when my father first introduced her to me. Even at the wedding, she seemed decently pleasant. Now, though? After the way I’ve seen her treat Maggie, her own daughter. I hate the gold digging bitch.

“Sweetie, you look beautiful. Special night planned?”

I don’t like the way she asks that. Her tone carries a certain lilt to it. Like she knows something. She couldn’t, though.

“I have a date,” I say, not flinching or cowering to her calculated stare.