Page 25 of Mr. Red

I’m at home cleaning. I don’t have as much time as I usually do because I have to get ready. I’m scrubbing the floor so hard, I’m surprised there’s not a hole in it.

“I can’t believe you agreed to go out with him,” I mumble. “Great. Now, I’m talking to myself.”

I scrub and scrub. “It’ll be fine. I’m not going to kiss him, that’s for sure. That would be like kissing a tiger. He acts all nice one minute, but he already showed me his stripes. Plus, tigers bite, look what happened to Roy. So, kissing is out. What the hell do I wear if I don’t want to get kissed?”

I abandon my scrubbing and video call Jason. I need advice on an outfit and on how to navigate tonight. Jason always gives an honest opinion. I love my girls, but they say anything looks cute.

“Hey, babe. How you doing?”

“Jason! I need help!” I panic. “What do I wear tonight for a…meeting…with a guy I’m not trying to go on a date with?”

“Hold on, back up. What?”

I sigh. “You know the new client who just signed up?”

“Oh,thatguy?” He raises his eyebrows and smirks. “The one who requested you. I remember him. Is that who you’re meeting with?”

My face has turned red. This is so embarrassing. What is this guy doing to me? I’m the queen of cool, calm, and collected. This guy comes into my life, made me lose my shit, and stopped my ability to reason with reality and just say no. I’m calling someone to pick an outfit out for a non-date. A non-date I agreed to when I definitely shouldn’t have.

“He may have caught me at a vulnerable time. I agreed to meet up with him tonight. The way he explained why we should hang got me,” I concede.

“Shut up! Girl, he looked at you like he was about to devour you inch by inch. You sure it’s not a date?”

“I was literally just thinking he’s like a tiger.” I shake my head to get back on track. “Listen, it’s not a date! I need to look professional tonight. I don’t want him to get any ideas.”

“You’re losing it and sound kind of nervous. Nervous like you’re getting ready for a date.”

“Nope. It’s not a date. I’m not nervous.”

“You’re sweating.”

“I’ve been cleaning.”

“Right.” He exaggerates the word. “Okay, how about a jumpsuit?”

“I have a sleeveless black one that’s a halter, I think.”

“Cool, try that with some heels. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! Go with gold jewelry. Send me a picture of the finished product. I’d better get details on what happens with that sexy hunk tonight!”

“Wait! I don’t have heels! What do you think I am? A hooker?”

“Just because someone owns heels, doesn’t make them a hooker.” He tells me with an eye roll. “Do you have wedges?”

“Yes, I can walk in those.”

“Those will work.”

“On it!”

“I mean, unless you want me to trade places with you. I don’t think he’d mind if a hot guy showed up in your place.”

I smile ear to ear. Jason always lightens the mood.

“I’m sure he would love that. He might be confused if you showed up at my house, though.”

“Damn. Next time then.”

I start laughing. “Thanks, Jay! I love you!”

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