Page 72 of Take A Number
“Well, I never come this way,” she replies with a laugh. “And if you won’t show me, maybe you should show Dean. Send him a little preview of what he’ll get to take off Saturday night.”
“That’s actually not a bad idea.” I turn to give myself a good angle in the boutique mirror and take a quick pic of myself.
Me: Is this dress fancy enough for the tire queen of Boulder’s wedding? You said it’s an outdoor reception, right?
Dean: Yes, it’s outside. And that will work.
I pause at his clipped reply.
Me: Okay…that’s it? No flirty comeback? No dirty texts? I can keep shopping. Rachael is with me and she’s enjoying the free champagne more than Kate enjoys the free coffee at Tire Depot.
Dean: The dress looks good. Go with it.
Me: OK…
I chew my lip nervously before sending another text.
Me: You want to come over tonight? I’m sure there’s another movie out there I haven’t seen, and we couldnotwatch it together.
My text hangs in the universe, and I immediately wish I could take it back. Dean has been distant the past couple of days. He came into the bakery Monday morning like he usually does, but he had a client with him, so he didn’t flirt or do any of the fake boyfriend things he normally does. Now it’s Tuesday evening, and we have no plans to see each other, which is unusual. I’m trying not to read too much into it, but considering we went from seeing each other every night to a few short and sweet texts after he slept over Saturday night is causing a knot to form in my stomach.
My heart leaps when my phone chimes back with his reply.
Dean: Actually, I have to go out of town for a couple of days.
Me: Oh, really? Where?
Dean: My dad needs help with his house in Denver. A pipe burst in his bathroom, and I guess it’s a mess.
Me: Oh, okay. When will you get back?
Dean: Friday, but I have the rehearsal dinner that night.
Me: Oh, is that something I should go to?
Dean: Nah, I won’t bore you with that.
Me: I don’t mind. Your friends are fun.
Dean: It’s cool. I’ll see you at the wedding at 5, okay? You’ll have to drive yourself because they want to do bridal party pictures before the ceremony.
Me: Oh…okay.
Dean: See you Saturday.
I step out of the dressing room and hit Rachael with a look. “It doesn’t seem like he cares what I wear.”
“Say what?” Rachael scoffs and takes a sip of her champagne from her spot on the beige chaise lounge by the dressing rooms. “That boy is Mr. Fashion Forward. I would have thought he’d want you to match his tux at the very least.”
“I guess not.” I sigh and flop down beside her. “His texts were weird too…it feels like something’s up.”
“What would be up?”
“I don’t know. But he said he’s going out of town for a few days and won’t see me until the wedding. Isn’t that weird when our fake-dating thing is supposed to be ending that day? It feels like he’s over it.” My heart sinks, and I turn my wide eyes to Rachael. “God, what if he’s over it? What if he’s over me? What if I snored in my sleep Saturday night, and he’s completely disgusted by me now?”
“Oh my God, don’t be a dramatic Karen,” Rachael replies, waving me off like a fly. “You slept with him in Aspen, and he came back for more snoring. He’s just busy. Plus, you said the sex Saturday night was the best you’ve had. You said it was better than a soufflé.”
“It was for me…maybe it wasn’t for him.”
