Page 19 of Venus
She raises an eyebrow. “Except for the part where he texts you good morning and shares your love for the worst candy known to mankind, and gave you a nickname after a Roman goddess.”
I turn sharply to face her. “Stop being cute. This is not feelings. This is just… orgasms.”
Callie grins like she’s won. “So emotional support dick. Got it. I give it another month before you’re planning the wedding.”
I laugh despite myself and push open the boutique door. The smell of patchouli and overpriced linen hits us like a wall. We meander past a rack of upcycled denim before something catches my eye.
A dress.
It’s fire engine red. Spaghetti straps. Short enough to tease. The kind of thing you wear when you want to be the only thing someone sees in a room. Callie follows my gaze and lets out a low whistle.
I grin. “It’s cute, right?”
She tilts her head. “Planning to wear that on a real date with Carter?” She sings his name like she’s mocking me on the playground at school.
“No,” I say, but I don’t make an effort to stop looking at it. Callie takes it off the rack and holds it up to my body and forces me to turn toward the mirror.
Callie gasps. “This looks like you’re ready to ruin someone’s life. And red for a firefighter? It was meant to be. You’re going to be so smoking hot, he’ll need backup.”
I smirk to hide the blush in my cheeks, because she doesn’t know about the red lace bra I bought specifically to wear for him. “I’m hoping he’ll bring thethickhose.”
Callie chokes on a laugh loud enough to startle a woman browsing handbags. “You’re such a menace.”
I carry the dress to the checkout and pretend it’s not a symbol of anything. It’s just a dress. For a man I’m not dating. Who I’m not catching feelings for.
Just a dress.
Later that night, I try it on in front of my mirror in the privacy of my room, twisting side to side to see the full effect. My phone buzzes on my bed with a text.
Vulcan: Any chance I can see you tonight?
My fingers hover over the keyboard.
Me: Depends. You bringing snacks?
He doesn’t text back right away. I sit down on the edge of my bed and stare at the ceiling. This is stupid. I’m being stupid. I like the way he looks at me, like I’m the only thing in the room. I like…
Damn it.
Him.I likehim.And I shouldn’t. I can’t.
The next buzz from my phone snaps me out of my spiral.
Vulcan: I’ll bring the snacks.
I smile.
Me: I’ll bring the dress.
Chapter 11 | Vulcan
I’m standing in front of my bathroom mirror staring at a bottle of cologne. I do a final check before stepping out of the bathroom. Pits, deodorized. Face, shaved. Pubes, trimmed.
Teeth?I smile into the mirror at myself.
Sparkling.
It’s not a date. She wants casual. It’snota date.
