Page 28 of Not In The Contract

Myfeetprotestedinearnest as I half dragged myself up the stairs to my apartment. It probably didn’t help that I carried at least three quarters of the library in my tote. Fine, it wasn’t exactly three quarters, but it sure felt like it.

I lugged my tote up the final flight of stairs, promising myself to ask Nadine about the elevator first thing in the morning, and dropped the bag at my feet. I dropped my keys a grand total of three times before I finally managed to jam the damn thing inside and let myself in.

It was all I could do to cross the threshold and shut the door before I slumped to the floor, my legs completely jello in my jeans. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d spent twelve hours on campus walking from one end to the other, and my sneakers were close to falling apart at the seams.

And, as if the universe wanted to torment me, my phone began to ring in my back pocket.

With the last of my strength, I wedged my phone out of my back pocket and groaned.

“Tam,” I whined, my eyes half shut already. “Please.”

“You’re not backing out on me again, Devon.”

I mumbled out a garbled plea that went unheard as Tamera forged on like I wasn’t two seconds from falling asleep in my own entryway. “I will come over and shower you myself,” she warned, not a hint of teasing in her threat. “We’re going out tonight, we both need it.”

She was right. And I kind of hated her for it.

“Fine, fine,” I grumbled, pushing myself up off the floor with a wince. “But you’re coming here, your apartment gives me anxiety.”

“How dare you,” she gasped. “My apartment is spotless—wait, nevermind, I can’t even lie about it.”

“See?” I chuckled softly, stifling a yawn. “I’m going for a nap, wake me up when you get here.”

“Go and get ready, you lazy little shit.” She laughed. Muffled music filtered through the line and I figured she was already in the car over. “I’ll be like ten minutes.”

“A ten minute nap sounds lovely,” I decided, and got to my feet. I left my tote and purse on the floor and stumbled to my room, clumsily kicking my sneakers off as I went.

I barely heard Tamera’s cut off protest before tossing myself bodily onto my bed.

I was out in seconds.

“Devon?”

I frowned, the interruption only forcing my eyes shut tighter.

“Don’t be difficult.” Tamera groaned. The side of my bed dipped slightly, indicating she’d climbed onto the covers. “I’m all dressed up and ready to go and you’re still wearing your four AM ponytail.”

I cracked an eye open and squinted up at her. She wasn’t lying.

Her box braids were gone, replaced by waist-length twists that she’d fashioned into an intricate updo, with glints of gold amid the curls. Her dress could be better described as liquid lava, and it flowed off each of her curves like water. I had no doubt in my mind that her heels were to die for as well.

“What do you think?” she asked, getting to her feet (her heelswerestunning), and twirled.

“You look gorgeous, Tam.” I pouted. “But do I have to wear heels too?”

“Absolutely,” she declared, hauling me out of bed. “It’s basically your last night as a free woman before I lose you for two whole months. So, we’re going dancing.”

An easy laugh slipped through my lips and I gave in. I wasn’t sure I wanted to say no anyway.

“Only if you make me half as pretty as you,” I said with a wink.

“Give me a real challenge,” she deadpanned. “Come on, I’ll do your makeup after you shower.”

I happily let Tamera steer me to the shower and made quick work of my usual routine. The two hard thumps on my bathroom door were enough to remind me Tamera was probably starving.

“Finally,” she teased, catching me by the arm and dragging me to the small vanity in my room. She’d already laid out several outfits on my bed and spread my makeup across my table.

“Let’s get sexy,” she said, grabbing the smallest top she could find and slingshotting it to me.