Page 38 of How We Loved

“Hot damn, girl. Aren’t you the sexiest cowgirl I’ve ever seen?”

I grin from ear to ear, feeling even better about my costume now that he’s seen it.

“I was so excited when I saw it. I thought it was perfect since I’m dating you.”

“You look hot, but didn’t I tell you not to dress sexy without me there?” His tone changes slightly, making me question my costume.

I check out the mirror again, seeing that it’s not too low-cut. The bottoms are pants, so it’s not too short.

“I didn’t think it was too bad,” I reply. “And look, I put a tank top on underneath so my stomach isn’t showing.”

I hear him let out a breath into the phone. “I see that you did, but I still don’t like it. Do you have a jacket you can wear over it?”

I search around my room. “Um, yeah. I can wear this.” I slide it on and take another picture to send him.

“That’s better. Please keep it on. When we’re alone, you’re definitely putting that back on for me. I can’t wait to see it in person.” His playful tone is back, so I sigh with relief.

“That could be fun.”

“No could be about it. I can’t fucking wait to see you in it, then get you out of it.”

I giggle at his words as chills spread through my body at the thought. I swear I feel like the last standing virgin in my school. It’s not that I’ve been opposed to having sex with a guy. There just hasn’t been anyone I’ve wanted to give my virginity to. I’ve even thought about how I’d eventually have to beg Ben to have sex with me just so I could go on with my life, knowing I wasn’t a virgin anymore. Believe me, the thought has frustrated me more than it should. So, thinking that Trevor could be the one makes me giddy.

Someone yells his name in the background.

“Shit. I’ve gotta go. I’ll call you later.”

He hangs up, and I look at my outfit, now covered by my jacket. It’s not as cute with it on, but oh well. It will still work just fine.

I hear Ben’s truck pulling up the driveway, so I plaster a smile onto my face and head down the stairs to greet him.

I play up the cowgirl role as I step outside, pretending to rope a cow as Ben walks up to my house.

He laughs out loud at my antics, and I almost fall over, laughing as well.

“Well, hello, pretty lady,” he says in a Southern drawl once we get our wits about us.

“Look at you!” I step back to take in his Where’s Waldo costume. “I’m going to spend the whole party searching for you.”

“Ha-ha. Going as Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift would have been so much better, but someone had to flake on me.” He rolls his head at me, making sure I know I’m to blame on that.

“Sorry, but come on. I look pretty freaking cute, right?” I hold open my jacket so he can see my outfit better. “And I don’t have to pretend to be dating the football player when I’m dating the cowboy!”

He shakes his head. “Fine. Let’s go.”

My dad comes to the door. “One picture before you guys go.”

He holds up his phone, and I pull mine from my purse. “Here, take one with my phone too.”

“Don’t you want to take off your jacket first?” Dad asks.

“No, it’s fine with it on. Part of the costume even,” I lie. I’m not sure why I did, but it just came out.

We smile as he takes pictures with both of our phones.

“Have fun,” Dad says as I give him a hug goodbye.

“We will!” I say, then walk with Ben to his truck.

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