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  “You first,” she said.

  “Fine,” Marnie scoffed in a joking way. “Let’s see. Well, Tracy’s finally pregnant. The IVF worked. Maybe she’ll have twins.”

  Marnie’s idea of news usually involved other people’s news before her own. She gave updates of everyone at the office before finally sharing the news that was relevant to her. “And I found out that Cameron and his girlfriend moved in together.”

  “Oh no,” Nadine said, remembering what a mess Marnie was after she and Cameron broke up. “How are you handling it?”

  “It’s fine. I mean, I heard they’re getting a dog and trying for a baby. So, good for them. I’m over it.” Marnie’s tone was unconvincing but Nadine respected that Marnie was trying to tell herself a new story. After months of scowling or crying whenever anyone made mention of Cameron, Marnie’s delivery of this news was surprisingly unemotional.

  “Well, good. You were never a dog person or a baby person, for that matter, so yeah, it’s probably for the best.”

  The Bellinis arrived and the two friends clinked glasses. Marnie took a big sip.

  “It sucks,” she said. “Who am I kidding? I hope I never run into them when they’re out with the dog or baby or whatever.” She shook her head. “Gross.”

  Nadine nodded.

  “Like, who does he think he’s kidding? He cheated on me with that whore and now she’s going to have his baby? He’s totally going to cheat on her later. That’s so messed up.”

  Nadine did not like that Marnie referred to Cameron’s girlfriend as a whore, but she knew Marnie was still teeming with sadness. She put her hand on Marnie’s arm.

  “You’ll be okay,” she said. “Cameron never really understood you, and you deserve to find someone who does.”

  “I know. I know.” Marnie seemed impatient. “Anyway, tell me about the boy toy.”

  “Well, David”—she emphasized his name—“David is so sweet. I’m really charmed by him.”

  “Have you used him for sex yet?”

  “No!” Nadine was indignant. “I don’t think I could. I really don’t.”

  “Oh, why not? Alfonso is totally right about this. He’s into being used, you know.”

  “You don’t know him.”

  “I saw him that time at the bookstore.”

  “One time,” Nadine said.

  “They’re running wild with hormones at that age. Sexual peak.”

  “Do we really need to get into stereotypes? I’m telling you, there’s something else going on. We’ve got this…connection.”

  “Did you at least make out?”

  Nadine nodded and turned the color of her dress. Her skin betrayed her body’s desires.

  “Shut up!” Marnie clapped her hands together like this was the best possible news. “Tell me everything.”

  “He has lips like you would not believe. And he’s super built. He took me in his arms and I just, like”—she shook her head in disbelief—“I melted.”

  “Mmmm. You are one smitten kitten.”

  “I am, I’m afraid.”

  “Oh, so what. Worse things have happened. Have your fun with him. What could possibly go wrong?”

  “I have so much on the line right now with this business.”

  “All the more reason to blow off some steam.”

  “I guess.”

  “You deserve it, Nadine. I think this is the universe’s way of rewarding you for getting here. I mean, it’s a big deal what you’re doing, taking a huge leap of faith career wise and after all that bullshit with Allan…”

  “Well, that’s the strange part. I feel like David and I have more in common than I had with him. Maybe I’m supremely immature when it comes down to it.”

  “Maybe. So what?”

  “You’re right.”

  A couple of Bellinis later, Marnie had pretty much succeeded in convincing Nadine that all of her insecurities stemmed from societal expectations and stupid things that boiled down to conformity.

  “Just because he’s younger doesn’t mean anything,” Nadine slurred. “I mean, I should count myself lucky. And hey, when I’m ninety and he’s seventy-nine, he can be the one who goes to the drugstore for us.”

  “Now you’re talking.” Marnie sipped up the last of her drink with a straw, made a slurping sound and they both cracked up. The night was officially over. They took cabs home.

  * * * *

  From the safety of her bedroom—dressed in her white camisole with lace trim and her matching lace panties—Nadine did the one thing she had told herself never to do. She drunk-called David. When she’d told Marnie earlier that she was actually pretty immature, she’d had an image of herself doing this very thing. It was precisely the kind of thing one did in one’s early twenties, but not at her age.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, trying to sound casual.

  “Uh, it’s midnight.” David sounded surprised. After a pause, he asserted, “I was fantasizing about you.”

  “You were?” Nadine purred into the phone.

  “Yeah. I was wondering what you’re wearing right now.”

  “Naughty boy,” she said in a semi-scold. “Lace.”

  “Oh really,” he said. “What color?”

  “White.”

  “Oh my God.”

  “You like white lace?”

  “Um, yeah. That’s totally the Victoria’s Secret catalog dream come true.”

  “Oh really?”

  David gulped. “Nadine, you are the sexiest woman I’ve ever met.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Oh yeah,” he said in his most manly voice. “You drive me wild.”

  “Will I see you soon?”

  “Any time,” he said. “How about this weekend?”

  “Sure.”

  “Let me take you out. On a real date.”

  “What’s a real date?” she asked flirtatiously.

  “It’s where we do something to try to distract ourselves from our true desire.”

  “Oh? What’s our true desire?” Nadine adjusted her seat. She was on her bed and lay back and got comfortable.

  “I think you know.”

  “Tell me.” Nadine had no idea just how badly her coquettish side wanted out.

  “Nadine Baxter, I want to explore every inch of you with my mouth. I want to lick your nipples and suck on them until you beg me for more. Then I want to unlock your mysteries and figure out exactly what makes you moan.”

  Nadine’s pussy was throbbing with lust. She didn’t know what to say. This was not a boy on the phone. This was definitely a man. This was the man she had been waiting her entire life to meet. He was here now.

  “Are you still there?” David asked.

  “Um,” she trembled. “That was the hottest thing I’ve ever heard. You have yourself a date. When are you picking me up?”

  “How about Saturday evening at six?”

  “I will be ready. I’ll wear lace, but you won’t be able to see it.”

  “You’re making me crazy, Nadine. I’m not going to get anything done between now and Saturday.”

  “Me neither.”

  “Goodnight, beautiful goddess.”

  “Goodnight.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Nadine was left wanting more, a lot more. The days trickled by slowly, ever so slowly. The torture! She was hot for David, yet there was still that shrinking part of her that was concerned about getting involved with someone she was pretty sure she couldn’t be with in the long run. How could she introduce him to her family? What would she say if they ran into her old colleagues? Yet, the more she thought about it, the more it irked her to cling to society’s expectations. After all, she wasn’t interested in marriage anymore. It had been too painful to watch how her own parents and aunts and grandparents had suffered through the institution, and she didn’t exactly need a man. After what Allan had done to her, she didn’t want to risk having a husband, just in case he left. She was a modern woman, doing everything on her own,
including paying for her beautiful home and this new business that she felt passionate about.

  In the olden days, women had to choose men who were good providers, but she had the freedom to love whomever she wanted. There was really no reason not to indulge a little. Besides, when was the last time she’d really kicked back and enjoyed herself? For that matter, when was the last time she’d had sex?

  The week went by quickly. She delivered the two pieces of refinished furniture on Tuesday after work, much to the satisfaction of the buyer. She got an impressive paycheck for her efforts and it was satisfying to deposit it into her business account, which was starting to look sizeable. The woman who’d bought the furniture was so thrilled, she asked Nadine to take a look at some picture frames and a sideboard from the old country that needed refurbishing. Nadine decided to take on the work and the two women shook on a great price.

  She made herself an appointment at the estheticians. It was time to reward herself. It had been ages since she’d had a proper treatment—full leg wax with a French bikini line and a pedicure to boot. Manicures weren’t practical in her line of work. Besides, she preferred the way her hands looked without polish. She also got a facial and the young woman who did the treatment gave such a great massage that Nadine’s willpower went out of the window and she left the day spa with some semi-permanent lashes as well. It was great fun to remember that she actually did have a sex kitten side to herself.

  By the time Saturday came around, Nadine figured that she had earned herself a perfectly relaxing day off. She slept in and went about her morning in the most glorious way—with coffee and a croissant in bed curled up with the Saturday paper. She did the crossword until well after noon.

  * * * *

  David’s week had also been busy. He’d written a paper on Nietzsche’s appreciation of Dostoyevsky and he’d contemplated and annotated Hannah Arendt’s essays in preparation for his next paper. Philosophy left him no time for goofy fun with his roommates, though they did all share a beer on Friday night.

  “Hey, you remember the bookstore manager I told you about?” David asked.

  “The hot one?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What about her?” Chris wanted to know.

  “I’m taking her out.”

  “Dude. What?”

  “Yeah. It’s happening.”

  “Are you going to bring her here?”

  “To this frat house? I’m trying my best not to.”

  Chris nodded. “Probably for the best. Most chicks don’t understand this kind of thing.” He gestured to the pile of empties that had piled up over the course of the month. With three beer-drinkers in the household, there was an abundance of cans each week.

  In between classes and reading, David had thought about where to take the beautiful goddess. He’d figured that she wouldn’t be expecting much in the way of fanciness. She’d seen his car, and although she hadn’t seen his place yet, she could probably guess that a first year university guy’s place that he shared with two other dudes wouldn’t exactly be all that nice. And although he’d made some better fashion choices as of late, there was no way that she would be expecting to be taken for some kind of super swanky date. Also, David was not interested in hiding his disdain for ridiculous expressions of class privilege. He preferred a more humble approach to life and if she really liked him, he figured, she’d appreciate his taste.

  * * * *

  It was a fine fall evening when David picked Nadine up. The air was crisp and cool, but it wasn’t cold. David fidgeted with his keys in his pocket on his way to knock at the front door.

  Nadine opened the door to reveal pure radiance. It was almost as though she was glowing and David felt his knees buckle beneath him, like he had experienced in fourth grade when Cindy Turlington agreed to be his Valentine. He’d fretted and fussed over asking her and when she said yes, he realized that he didn’t know what came next and he fainted. He wouldn’t faint this time. No, he’d step up.

  “Nadine, you are breathtaking tonight,” he said, giving her an innocent kiss.

  Nadine pulled him in and kissed him in a way that said she was not expecting this night to be chaste and sweet. David was caught off guard by her forceful nature, but he loved it. He pressed his lips to hers and wrapped his arms around her. How he adored holding her like this. Their bodies fit together in a way that felt like they were made for each other. He didn’t want to get ahead of himself by pointing it out. After all, it was true what Nick had said—that it wasn’t good to go too fast too soon. Better to let her come to him, which was precisely what this moment was all about. She was coming to him. She expressed her desire with the kiss. David’s nerves disappeared.

  “Would you like to come in for a glass of something before we go?” Nadine said.

  “I would love a glass of something later,” David said. “But I’ve planned some stuff for us, so I’d be happy to get going.”

  “Oh.” Nadine’s eyes lit up. “Great. I’ll get my jacket.”

  They stepped down her stairs hand in hand. David unlocked the passenger side of the car, opened it for Nadine and waited for her to have her seatbelt fastened before he closed the door.

  When he got in the car on the other side and saw the vision of Nadine Baxter in his car, right there beside him, he was again overcome by excitement. He couldn’t help but want to kiss her sensual lips again. He resisted. Let her come to you, he remembered Nick saying.

  “Okay, so I have kind of a crazy evening planned. There are some friends I want to introduce you to.” He smiled. “I was hoping you wouldn’t mind if we bring them along on our date.”

  “Oh, uh, okay,” Nadine said, sounding polite.

  “They’re really going to appreciate it. They don’t get out much, and nothing like what we’re about to do tonight.”

  David knew it was a strange plan to spring on Nadine, especially considering that it was their first official date, but he needed her to know that this was the kind of guy he was. David pulled into the SPCA parking lot. Theirs was the only car in there.

  “I think it’s closed,” Nadine said.

  “I have a key,” David explained. “I’m one of their head volunteers. I’ve been doing this since I was fifteen.”

  “So, wait a second. The friends that are coming on our date are animals?”

  “Yeah.” David smiled. “Dogs. Specifically Duchess and Duke.”

  Nadine laughed her head off. “You’re hilarious,” she said. “Just when I was thinking this is getting pretty weird. I was wondering who these friends of yours are.”

  “Furry ones.”

  Nadine laughed again. “I can’t wait to meet Duchess and Duke.”

  “Oh, good.” David grinned. “They’re excited about meeting you, too. I told them all about you.”

  “Should I come in with you?”

  “No, it’s best not to. You have to disinfect your shoes and go through this whole procedure. Plus, it’s hard on the dogs to see people at night. They get all excited. It makes me feel bad because we can’t take them all out, right? I already prepared the gang for this.”

  “You talk to dogs?”

  “Sure. Why not?”

  * * * *

  It was David’s goofy grin that melted Nadine’s heart. She had never been on a date like this before and they were only getting started. She waited in the car and checked her lips in the passenger side mirror. Should she wear lip gloss? She wanted to send the sign that it was okay to kiss when the mood struck. She dabbed a tiny bit on.

  David emerged with a beautiful and graceful Irish Setter and a somewhat scruffy-looking Black Labrador. He looked happy to be with them. His friends. It was as though there were three tails wagging instead of two. Nadine giggled at the sight and opened her door.

  “Who’s who?” she asked.

  “This is Duchess,” David said of the Irish Setter. “She’s four. And this is Duke.”

  Nadine put her hand down and let the dogs sniff her before she
gave them each a scratch behind the ear.

  David opened the trunk of his station wagon, spread out a thick blanket and let the dogs hop in. They panted in excitement. David closed the back door and walked around to the driver’s side.

  “Where are you taking us?” Nadine wanted to know.

  “It’s a surprise. It’s a bit of a drive, but like I said, Duchess and Duke don’t get out much so this’ll do them a world of good.”

  “What’s their story?”

  “It’s kind of sad, actually. Are you sure you want to know?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, Duchess is Duke’s best friend in the whole world. They’ve been inseparable since Duchess was just a pup. Duke was already ten then.”

  “So he’s fourteen?”

  “Yeah. And their owner is a lovely woman, Mrs. Bronstein, but she’s just been moved to a nursing home and they won’t allow dogs. Sometimes they take little dogs, but Duchess and Duke were too big.”

  “So they’re here?”

  “Mrs. Bronstein’s kids couldn’t take them.”

  “That’s so sad.”

  “There’s more.”

  “Oh no.”

  “I don’t have to tell you. I don’t want to make you sad. I just thought it’d be nice for us to do something good for Duchess and Duke tonight.”

  “I want to know.”

  “Okay, well, Duke has cancer.”

  “Oh no.” Nadine began to tear up. She looked back at the two of them, where they lay all cozy and looking out of the window together. Their affection for each other was obvious.

  “Yeah, this is his last night.”

  “You mean?”

  David nodded. He also had a tear in his eye. “That’s why I thought it’d be nice to let them have a really special evening with us.”

  Nadine turned into a giant mush ball. “Can’t anything be done?”

  “Not at this point. It has spread too much. Besides, there’s no one to pay for the chemo. Mrs. Bronstein has her own health problems to worry about.”