Free Love Love by Beth Michele

beat.
“Do you still manage to see each other?”
    “ Yes, we always make an
effort to get together a couple of times a year.”
    “ I’m a bit jealous. It’s
just my mom and dad, and my sister.” Scratch that, it’s really just
me.
    He rambles a bit about how important
his family is to him, how lucky he is to have so many siblings, and
how he has a new niece on the way. My foot is starting to get cold
when he finally includes me in the conversation. “So, Gabby, what
made you decide to go into interior design?” I get the sense that
he’s just being polite. He seems much more at ease talking about
himself.
    “ It’s something that has
fascinated me since I was a kid. I always took note of furniture
and layout, as well as color. I’m a very visual person.”
    Dane raises an eyebrow.
“Really?”
    I realize what I just implied and
start fidgeting with my napkin.
    He looks at his watch and then back to
me. “Listen, I really need to get back to work, but I’m looking
forward to seeing you on Friday. I’m staying at the W Hotel on
Broadway until the apartment is finished, so we can have dinner
there, if that’s okay with you.”
    “ Yeah, that’d be great.” I
certainly hope the conversation is more interesting at dinner. Or
perhaps, we won’t talk at all.
    “ Terrific, I’ll look
forward to seeing you then. Say seven? I’ll meet you in the
lobby.”
    “ Sounds good.”
    Dane stands up from the table. “I’ll
walk you out.”
    No you won’t, because I’m missing a
shoe. “Actually, I think I’m going to stay a bit
longer.”
    “ Alright. Well then, I’ll
see you on Friday.”
    “ Absolutely.”
    Dane walks out the door, and once he
does, I see Brad coming towards me with his hands behind his back.
His crooked smile makes a glowing appearance. “I think you might
need this,” he says, passing me my shoe from behind like it’s a
super-covert operation.
    I shake my head and roll my eyes at
myself. “Thanks.”
    “ Go easy on the heel next
time. I don’t want anyone losing a head.” His voice erupts with
laughter as he heads back behind the counter.
    Before I head back to post-it land, I
pull out my cell phone to text Fran about Dane.
     
    Me: Hey! Guess who I just
saw?
     
    Fran: Hmmm…no
idea
     
    Me: Dark &
Sexy
     
    Fran: You’re shitting
me
     
    Me: Wouldn’t shit you
about something like this
     
    Fran: And…
     
    Me: Went to his apartment,
then had coffee
     
    Fran: Sounds boring,
please tell me there’s more
     
    Me: He asked me out Friday
night
     
    Fran: Now you’re
talking
     
    Me: Will need help with
wardrobe choice
     
    Fran: Always glad to
oblige
     
    Me: See you at
home
     
    Fran: Staying at
Kyle’s
     
    Me: Man you move fast.
It’s only been eight days! See u in morning. xo
     
    Fran: Hee hee.
xo
    ***

 
     
    I feel
a hand pressing on my shoulder. I’m not sure if I’m dreaming, so I
roll over, but there it is again. Cracking my eyes open, I vaguely
see what look like Fran’s ebony strands falling into my face. It’s
either that or a gigantic spider, and I’m praying it’s
hair.
    “ Wake up,
sleepyhead!”
    My mumbled, sleepy voice comes from
underneath the warm blankets and I close my eyes again.
“Huhhhh...sleeping here.”
    “ Gabby, get up!”
    I slowly sit up and rub my tired blue
eyes. “This better be good. I was having a hot dream.”
    Both her eyebrows raise up. “About
Dane?”
    A smile creeps across my
face. “Maybe. I told you he asked me out tomorrow night, to
his hotel .” I
emphasize the last word for effect. “Now it’s all I can think
about. Oh, and like I said, I need help with clothes.”
    “ Of course you will. We can
dig through my closet and find something voluptuous for
you!”
    “ I was afraid of that.
Maybe I should get something new.”
    “ Chill, Gab. We’ll find
something sexy and tasteful and perfect.”
    After a hot, steamy shower, washing
Dane all over me, I pull myself together and Fran and I head out
the door for