Page 64 of September

“I’ve been ready for twenty minutes. I had to stop messing with my hair because I was only making it worse. I’m just sitting on the couch now, waiting for her to get here.”

“And you needed a distraction, so you calledme?”

“Well, Elisa was busy.”

“I see how it is,” Jill said, laughing. “I’m busy, too; you know? My girlfriend is about to get into the shower, Gwen. That means she’s naked, and I could be naked and in there with her.”

“Shit. Sorry. I’d never want to deprive you of that.”

“It’s fine. I was just told I can’t shower with her because she’s only taking a quick one so that we can go out to dinner. She came back from a run because she’s a runner now.” Jill paused. “I’m not supposed to make fun of her for working out, but it’s not like she needs it. Her body is perfect. Babe, your body is perfect!” That last part, Gwen guessed, was for Willa’s benefit. “What are you two doing for your date?” Jill asked her.

“I have no idea,” she said. “Jules is planning it. I’m just supposed to dress casually.”

“So, you dressed up a little?”

“Yes,” she said and laughed. “A dress.”

“She says casual, and you wear a dress?”

“It’s a casual dress. And I’m in flats,” Gwen defended.

“You don’t listen well, do you? I think ladies like it when you listen. For example, Willa just walked into my shower, and I’m sitting here on my bed, not following her in, even though I really, really want to.”

“But you’re watching her from the bed, aren’t you?”

“She didn’t say I couldn’t do that,” Jill replied.

Gwen laughed and said, “I’m a little nervous. Okay, I’ma lotnervous.”

“That’s normal. It’s a first date.”

“I know. I just don’t want to be a mess tonight. I want her to think that I have my shit together.”

“Youdohave your shit together,” Jill said.

“Depends on who you ask,” Gwen replied.

There was a knock at the door, and she turned around as if expecting Juliet to be standing inside her apartment already.

“She’s here.”

“Good. Go on your date. It’ll be fine, okay?”

“Thanks. And enjoy staring at your girlfriend while she showers, I guess,” Gwen said.

“Oh, I will,” Jill stated and hung up on her.

Gwen laughed and slid her phone into her purse. Then, she stood and looked down her body, checking for possible wrinkles in her light-gray dress. Seeing none, she decided she was presentable enough to answer the door, and when she did, she was surprised to see Juliet standing there in a pair of jeans, a white T-shirt with a sweater tied around her hips, and a baseball hat on her head turned to the back.

“Uh…” Gwen uttered because while she was confused by Juliet’sverycasual attire for a first date, this look was really fucking hot on her.

“You’re in a dress,” Juliet noted.

“Yeah.”

“I saidcasual.”

“It’s a casual dress.”