Page 9 of Bree

Bree

When I wake up, and Matt is gone, my first thought was that I ruined everything by coming on to him. But then I see the note on my bedside table. I lean over and grab it, quickly reading over what he’s written there.

“He’s just going to help out with party plans for tonight. Everything is fine.”

I decided to take my time calling him back. I need a shower and coffee and some breakfast. I need to feel human before I have this conversation. I take my time cleaning up, enjoying a hot shower – scrubbing my hair and body with rose-scented soap and shampoo, and then soaking in a luxurious bubble bath, one of my favorite things in the world.

I climb out an hour later, feeling refreshed but famished, so I put on a pot of coffee while I make scrambled eggs and toast. After I butter my perfectly browned bread, I pull some cut melon from the fridge and add it to my plate before sitting down to enjoy my meal. I eat slowly and savor my rich black coffee and each bite of luscious fruit and soft fluffy eggs. I feel better than I have in months.

“I guess I just needed to get laid,” I say and laugh to myself. Oh well, I’m just glad to know that I haven’t ruined things with Matt. Hopefully, it won’t be awkward when we see each other tonight.

I take my time doing the dishes before I head into my room to set out my dress for this evening, a pretty number I borrowed from Shay. I pull out the perfect pieces of jewelry and set them on my dressing table before I settle down on my sofa, still wrapped up in my fluffy robe, to read for a bit. When I do get around to calling Matt that afternoon, I don’t think he’s going to answer the phone at first, but finally, he picks up on the fourth ring.

“Hello? Bree? Hey, what up? Er… I mean… How are you?” He sounds a little out of sorts, so I try and maintain as perky a demeanor as I can.

“Hey, Matt! How goes the party planning?”

“Ah, it’s fine. Mother wants everything to look perfect, so she’s been running me into the ground.”

“Aw, poor thing,” I reply with a giggle.

“Poor me is right! The woman knows how to crack the whip when she wants to.”

“Don’t whine, Matty. You know you love helping your mom.” It almost feels like we’re falling back to how we used to be, great friends that became lovers.

“Yeah, you know me too well, Bree. Listen, I’ve got to finish carrying the chair in before she’ll let me leave to get ready. I’ll pick you up at 8?”

“Sounds great, see you then!”

“Great! Bye, babe.”

I stare down at my phone for a minute. Did he just call me babe? I feel my cheeks heat, but at the same time, I can’t help but think that he probably only said that because his mother was close by. No way it was a slip of the tongue, right?

Deciding to put it out of my mind, for now, I stick with my earlier theme of the day to take it easy and indulge myself while I get ready. I take a lot of time to get my hair curled just right, each glossy brown section slipping down my back beautifully. I carefully choose my makeup look and make sure everything is blended to perfection. I shake my liquid eyeliner, draw a near-perfect wing on each eye, and then curl my lashes and apply a midnight black mascara.

Once I’m happy with how I look in the mirror, I slip out of my robe and walk naked over to my dresser to pull out a pretty lavender bra and panty set. I quickly hook the bra and then look down at the panties in my hand. After a moment’s thought, I put them back into the dresser. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I’m hoping I won’t need panties tonight.

I take the time to put lotion on every inch of my skin, dab perfume on my neck and wrists, and just between my breasts. Even though we aren’t dating, last night was incredible, and I certainly wouldn’t mind a repeat performance. Who knows, maybe we can even rekindle what we used to have. I think I might like that.

***

When Matt knocks on my door, I couldn’t have prepared myself for how handsome he would look in his black three-piece suit and navy-blue necktie. His hair is artfully arranged in a sexy tousled look that makes me weak in the knees. Hell, everything about him makes me weak in the knees. He takes my hand and spins me around, looking with awe at my flared dark blue cocktail dress. It’s got the slightest hint of shimmer that makes me think of the night sky. It’s my favorite dress.

“Wow, you are going to be the most beautiful woman at the party, and you’re on my arm. How in the world did I get so lucky?”

“I could say the same,” I reply as I give him a very obvious once over. “You look incredibly handsome.”

Matt flashed a grin and leads me to the car, helping me inside.

When we reach his parent’s house, the New Year’s Eve party is in full swing. Aside from Matt’s parents and his sister, two of his aunts and uncles are there, and maybe a dozen cousins. Not to mention all of his father’s work associates and the neighbors and family friends… It’s a huge party, bigger than anything I could have imagined. It’s a good thing they have a huge house; Matt’s father is a lawyer and always held one of the city’s larger estates.

The event is catered, and there are tons of h’orderves, especially desserts, since his mother has quite the sweet tooth. We walked past tables full of artfully arranged cakes and finger sandwiches, tiny meatballs on toothpicks, and delicate baby quiches with flaky pastry. The champagne is flowing, and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. They even have a live jazz band!

“This is so much more than I expected.”

Matt wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into his side. “I guess I’m so used to it that it doesn’t faze me anymore. But it is kind of extra, huh?”

“Just a bit,” I say with a laugh. “But it’s incredible, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

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