Page 17 of Man Seeking Woman

"I'm not going to be able to change your mind, am I?" Standing still, I kept the dress up against my chest. Softening her expression, she let out a slow breath. "It would look nice on you." Pointing at her closet, she waved her finger in the air. "There's a pair of silver heels in the back that go great with that dress."

Digging through her mound of shoes, I asked, "So what about you? I thought Justin and you were over?"

I tried to keep my mouth shut, but it didn't work. I had to ask. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't?

"Yeah, well, he called me earlier today, apologizing for the way he acted."

"And you believed him?" I asked, glancing at her over my shoulder. "Was it the same type of apology as last time when he blew up because another guy called your phone? You know, that guy who turned out to be your cousin?"

Letting out a long sigh, Kayla thinned her lips. "He sounded genuine, El. He wants to make it work. . . and honestly, so do I." Her voice cracked as she spoke, fading out at the end.

"Who are you trying to convince? Yourself or me?" I asked, letting my eyes connect with hers. "Is this what you want? To be someone who's under appreciated and worth less to a man than his brand name shoes?"

"I love him, El."

Pulling out the heels, I coddled them under one arm as I stood up. "Do you really love him?"

"I do."

"I wasn't actually looking for an answer. I think you need to sit down and really think about the question. If there's any doubt in your mind, any at all, then you need to at least be honest with yourself. Don't force yourself to love him just because he makes you feel bad. I think if you took a step back, you'd see him for who he is. He uses you, you have to try and see that."

"Are you a relationship therapist now?" Her tone was dry and annoyed. Pursing her lips, her eyes narrowed. "Because, I'm pretty sure you need to have experience in a relationship in order to give advice."

I knew it wasn't what she wanted to hear. And I wished, I really fucking wished, I could just give her my blessing and walk away. But it wasn't that easy for me. I loved her as if she was my sister. And it killed me to watch her walk through misery because she thought what she shared with that dick was worth that kind of pain.

"No, but I don't need experience to see the truth. And what I see isn't the same as what you see."

"What do you see?" Kayla asked, crossing her arms over her chest protectively.

Shaking my head, I grabbed the dress and hung it over my arm. "Nope, I'm not going there right now. I will tell you exactly what I think, but not until after this dinner, where I don't get ruffied, and I do wake up tomorrow in my own bed."

Kayla grunted, obviously, not liking what I was about to do. "And I'm the one being lectured right now—all I can say is, at least I know where you're going to be, that's a good thing. Especially, if the cops need to know where to start."

"Wish me luck?" I asked, giving her a big grin and puppy dog eyes.

"You can't ask me for that, I still think it's a bad idea. But," she said, pointing a finger up at the ceiling. "I do hope I'm wrong, and there's an actual job in this for you. And not one that involves you giving him head for fifty bucks."

"Gross," I said with a giggle. "I promise, that shit ain't happening—" Baring my teeth, I held my hand to my heart. "I won't give head for less than a hundred, it's not lady like."

Kayla slapped my shoulder and laughed, opening the door for us to step back out into the living room. "I can't with you."

Justin was sitting on the couch, beer in hand as he flipped through the television. Cocking his head over his shoulder to look at us, he smirked. "I was starting to think you two were getting it on in there, scissoring and shit. I was about to come jump in."

"You're a fucking pervert," I said as I walked to the door.

Holding up his beer, he tipped it in the air. "Thank you. That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."

"Why am I not surprised by that?"

"Can you guys just stop already?" Kayla pulled the door open for me, giving me a real smile. "Good luck, El, seriously."

"Thanks."

Resting her hand on my shoulder, her expression turned serious. "But if I don't hear from you later tonight, I will call the police."

"Got it, I'll text you as soon as I get home."

"You better," she called out to me as I walked to the elevator.

Inside my heart was racing. I didn't want to think about all the scary shit that could happen doing something like this.

It was dangerous. Period.

But, I wanted to see what this man had to offer me, even if I regreted it later.

Because if you don't take chances in life, you just might miss out on something great.

And I wasn't going to miss a single oportunity.

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