Page 76 of Take Me
“God, that’s romantic.”Erika looks oddly bummed about that.Nibbling her lip, she surveys the clothing explosion.“Would it be okay if we did this later?”
I notice dark hollows under her eyes.“Not feeling the fashion show tonight?”
“Not really.”She nibbles her lip some more.“We got slammed at the shop and didn’t get lunch, so I’m starving.”
“Not a problem.”Hazel gets up and digs in her purse.When she turns back around, she’s holding a paper-wrapped bundle.“BLTA with applewood bacon, red leaf lettuce, fresh tomato, and avocado on homemade ciabatta.”
Erika blinks.“My favorite sandwich from Weirdoughs.”
“Damn.”I peer at the purse like it’s a magician’s hat.“You got a new keg washer in there?I could use one at the brewery.”
They both ignore me as Erika tries to give back the food.“I can’t take your sandwich.This is your dinner, right?”
“It was going to be.”Hazel stuffs her phone in her bag before slinging it over a shoulder.“I got a text on my way here about an urgent dinner meeting with some clients.Please save the sandwich from going to waste.”
Erika looks like she might want to argue, but the sandwich wins out.“Thank you.”She’s already got it unwrapped, and the sounds she’s making as she takes her first bite stirs something inside me.“Oh my God, it’s so good.”
I look at Hazel.“Is it wrong to be jealous of a sandwich?”
Rolling her eyes, she heads for the door.“She’s glowed like a Christmas tree ever since you started dating.I don’t think you need to worry.”
Erika blushes and chews a big mouthful of sandwich.“Thank you, Hazel.You’re a true friend.”
“Think nothing of it.”With a quick round of hugs, she heads for the door, already checking her cell phone.“Text me a pic of which outfit you choose.”
“Will do.”
As soon as she’s gone, I get up and grab us two beers.I also fill up a big glass of ice water, which I hand to Erika on my way to the couch.“Rough day, huh?”
“I had to replace a DEF system on a diesel, tackle three turbos with chipped impellers, and change two sets of truck tires.”
“I understooddieselandtruck tires.The rest of that was a foreign language.”
Snorting, she takes another huge bite of sandwich.“Do you ever feel insecure about guy stuff you don’t know?”
“Guy stuff?”She lost me somewhere.“I’ve been doing guy stuff to you for weeks now and haven’t heard any complaints.”
She blushes again and sips from her beer.“That’s not what I meant.”
“What did you mean?”
There’s a pause while she polishes off the sandwich, collecting her thoughts as she chews.“I love being a mechanic.And I loved growing up as a tomboy.Catching frogs in the lake or building jumps for our bikes—I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”
“Same.”Most of my happiest childhood memories involve Erika.
“I’m also not insecure about my body.I don’t look in the mirror and wish I could have bigger tits or be more fucking feminine or whatever.”
It’s my turn to snort.“Uh, your tits are incredible, and you’re pretty fucking feminine as far as I’m concerned.”
My dick gives a twitch of agreement.
“Thanks.”She makes a face and crumples the wrapper from her sandwich.Eyeing the trash can across the room, she arcs a perfect shot.The wrapper drops in, and she does a triumphant fist pump.“Yes!”
“Nice one.”I hold out my palm for a high five, and she smacks it.“Why would you want to be more fucking feminine?”
“I don’t.That’s what I’m saying.”She picks up the water and drinks half the glass while I wait for her to transform her thoughts into words.“I like who I am, but I guess I just wonder sometimes if I forgot to get in line when they handed out girl cards.”
“Girl cards?”
