Free Second Chance 3: Ask Me Again 3: David's Story by Theresa Hodge Page A

and my heart sung a new song because she was all mine, like I was all hers.
     

Chapter 15
     
    Madelyn
     
     
    “Are you really going to pay this much for this dress for me?” I asked Monica. "This dress costs too much, I can’t let you spend this much money on me.”
    “You have no choice in the matter. Your birthday is tomorrow and this is my birthday gift to you. Accept it and say thank you,” she teased.
    “Thank you,” I said turning away from the mirror in the department store we were shopping in. If my friend wanted to splurge on me, I would let her, at least this time. I gave her a quick hug before returning back to the full length mirror. The dress was absolutely beautiful and it fit my curves like it was made just for me.
    The three quarter sleeve leopard print dress was made of a clingy type of material. The round neckline complimented my full bosom and the mid-calf length revealed plenty of leg. I turned to admire how the back neckline dipped low and deep down to my waistline, leaving no room for me to wear a bra. The dress silhouetted my backside perfectly.
    “This dress fits you to a tee, Maddie. Just wait until David sees you in this dress. He won’t be able to contain himself,” Monica said. I giggled at the thought of David not being able to contain himself. Then my body shuddered inwardly at the thought of him bending me to his will. “Girl, hurry up and go change back into your clothes so we can eat. I am hungry enough to eat a cow,” she added.
    My stomach took that moment to grumble, which made me realize that I had skipped lunch earlier in the day. “I will only be a minute,” I said entering the dressing room to change back into my clothes.
    Monica paid for my dress with her new gold card she had received earlier that month. We left the store with my purchase in hand.
    We were seated in a booth at Dolan’s, a noisy little restaurant. The mushroom Swiss cheeseburger and huge steak fries with the skin on was delicious. Monica and I basically inhaled our food since we were both starving.
    I had rode to the mall with Monica. She had picked me up from work, since my car was still in the shop. David was always vague when I asked him about what was wrong with my car and how much would it cost to fix it. Monica and I had started the evening with her treating me, along with herself, to a manicure and pedicure before going shopping.
    She was really making me feel special on the day before my birthday. Birthdays and holidays always made me miss my mother. But spending time with my friend helped me not to feel sorry for myself. I was taking a healthy sip from my cola, when something behind me seemed to get Monica’s attention.
    “What are you looking at?” I asked her about to turn in my seat to see for myself.
    Monica didn’t have time to answer me when I heard the familiar voice come up behind me. “Hello Maddie, I thought that was you. I wasn’t sure until I saw Monica sitting here with you. Hello Monica,” Chad added.
    “Hello Chad,” Monica said not sounding to enthusiastic to see him.
    I took a good look at Chad. He didn’t look too well. Plus, he had lost some weight. He wasn’t the Chad I remembered. His once muscular frame was on the thin side. “You have lost a lot of weight,” I said, surprised that he was standing before me.
    “Yeah, I have. Can I talk to you for a minute? I will make it short and won’t hold up much of your time.”
    For some reason, I felt sympathy for Chad. I looked across at Monica as she studied Chad with a perplexed look on her face. I kicked her under the table to gain her attention. “Oh!” she said in understanding. "I need to go to the ladies' room. You guys can talk and I will be back in a few,” she said standing and walking off in the direction of the restrooms.
    Chad immediately took Monica’s vacant seat across from me in the booth. “You look so breathtakingly beautiful, Maddie. You are even more beautiful than I