Page 1 of With Love, Alex

1

Girls Night Out

“Are you sure I look,all right?” I asked, looking down at the barely there black dress I had on. It was more revealing than anything I’d ever worn before. The short dress showed off my legs and my heels made them appear longer. I’d never shown as much skin as I did that night, but I was going to live a little. I dressed for comfort, but there was something to be said for dressing up every now and again. It gave me confidence and made me feel beautiful.

“Alex, girl, you look hot as hell,” Shelli stated as her eyes trailed from the tips of my very high, black heeled sandals to the top of my head. My dress was so short I was afraid to do anything but stand, or I’d show my very skimpy, black lacy underwear. Right underneath each breast and in the middle, were diamond cutouts showing my tanned skin. Mostly it looked like a bra attached to a shirt from the front with wider straps. It was the sexiest thing that I’d ever worn.

My friend, Dawn, who I’d been friends with since high school, had done my hair and makeup. She’d stated that although I could do my face and hair nice enough, I needed a little extra oomph for my first night out and she could give it to me. She was right, Dawn had done a fantastic job. I’d stared at myself in the mirror for a full two minutes not believing that it was me before I could speak a word. My blonde hair was down, blown-out, and curled where it fell down my back until it almost touched my bra strap. My makeup flawless, highlighting my dark blue eyes.

Decker would get jealous if it looked as if I tried too hard with my appearance, and after a while I stopped, hoping it would make him happy. In the end, it didn't matter what I did; I could do nothing right. Since Dawn was almost six feet tall, and I was quite a bit shorter at five feet four, there was no way I could wear any of her clothes that was why she asked her friend Shelli to help me out in the wardrobe department. We were roughly the same size except for her legs, breast, and ass were all larger than mine and Shelli liked to show off her assets as much as possible.

“I know that look.” Dawn's eyes flashed before narrowing. “Do not let him have control over you any longer. You're as free as you can be with having a child with an asshole ex like him. Tonight, is for fun.” She clapped excitedly.

“I know it is, but…” I let out a frustrated breath. “It’s hard after hearing only negative things for the last ten years. You know how skinny I was in high school and I even had a guy reject me because I was too skinny.” Frowning, I thought back to the boy saying if I had more meat on my bones, he’d be more interested. If I only knew then what I knew now I would have told him to fuck off.

“True, you were crazy skinny back then, but it’s not like you had any control over it. You ate like crazy and never gained a pound. Look at you now,” her eyes traced over my body with a smile. “You’ve got boobs and an ass. Now that you’ve started going to the gym you’re all toned up.”

“You look hot,” Shelli piped in from in front of the mirror where she was touching up her makeup.

“You do. Why can’t you see it?” Dawn questioned with her brows furrowed.

Shaking my head, I wrung my hands together. “I find it hard to believe that I’m hot when I’ve never had a guy hit on me. Ever.”

“You’re oblivious to the way men look at you.” Her voice turned serious as she continued. “You know I never liked Decker, but I hate what he’s done to your self-esteem. It’s like you’ve got blinders on when you look in the mirror. You need to wake up and see yourself for who you really are. Not what he made you think you were.”

Dawn handed me a tissue when she saw the wet start to well up in my eyes. “Do not cry.” She said trying to sound serious, but instead it came out sounding like she pitied me.

Taking a deep breath, I willed the tears away and smiled.

“Better.” Dawn smiled back at me. “Now, when was the last time you went out and had fun?

“So long that I can't even remember,” I replied, a bitter laugh escaping me before I hung my head. “I'm letting you know now that it's entirely possible that I’m hopeless.”

Placing a hand on my shoulder, Dawn spoke with a soft smile, her words gentle. “Sweetie don't talk like that. I swear that asshole brainwashed you. You’re one of the most kind-hearted people I know. He took advantage of you and the circumstances you were in, but no more.” She shouted the last. “From this moment forward, you are not going to let all those poisonous words he spewed at you for over the last decade dictate your life. If there’s anyone in this world, who deserves to be happy it's you.” Shaking her head, she continued. “If Taylor were here, she'd be saying the exact same thing. If any doubts creep into your head tonight, tomorrow or ever, you call or text one of us, and we'll set you straight. Do you hear me?” She tilted her head with her hands on her hips, this wouldn't be over until I acknowledged her.

Easier said than done, but I nodded my head and murmured an affirmative.

Clapping her hands as she walked out the door, Shelli called out, “Great! Let's get this show on the road. Momma needs to loosen up.”

Dawn and I both looked at each other before busting out laughing while we grabbed our purses and followed Shelli out to the garage. Dawn’s car was the most fun out of the three of ours. It was a cute, little all black Mini Cooper convertible with the top already down for the night.

“I call shotgun,” Shelli smiled as she opened the passenger side door.

Dawn shook her head as she settled into the driver's side. “Shelli, leave her alone. You know you've got to sit in the back. We don't need Alex throwing up before we even get to the restaurant.”

“I swear sometimes I think you make up that you get car sick just, so you can sit in the front,” Shelli complained from the backseat with her arms crossed.

Dawn glared at her through the rearview mirror. “Trust me, I’ve been there, and it isn’t pretty.”

“So…” I drew out the word as I glanced over at Dawn. “What's the plan for tonight? You never told me where we're going. You can at least tell me what restaurant we're going to. You know I'm up for just about anything.”

“Well…” she replied, also drawing out the word with a sly smile on her face. “I thought since all the good bars and clubs are downtown we'd eat down there.”

“Did you pick someplace you know I won't like any of the food?” I could feel my forehead wrinkle as my brows drew down in confusion. “I don't understand why you're keeping it a secret. I don't know any of the places downtown. The last time I was there was when I was sixteen to get my driver’s license. Did you invite someone I don't like?”

“Why would I do that?” Dawn looked over at me giving me a crazy look. “I want you to have fun, not get all pissy and want to go home early.”

“Then why the secrecy?” I asked shaking my head.

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