06

“Darling”. Ms. Libby called out as she came around the corner. “Just in time” the small rounded woman said warmly. She disappeared behind the corner again before reappearing with a pink strapless dress in her hands. “here we are” she said holding it out to Hope. “You’ll knock them dead in this little number” Ms. Libby added.

Bethany stared at the dress in awe. She reached out to touch the silky fabric, “You can forget about the guys being dead Ms. Libby, they are going to pant and drool like little obsessed puppy dogs when they see her in this” she said and laughed.

“As long as one guy in particular pants over me that’s all that matters” Hope smirked pulling out the credit card that her parents gave her. Ms. Libby took it and ran it through the register.

“So, I guess it’s safe to say that you like the dress” Ms. Libby asked lifting her eyes just above the bifocals that she wore on the tip of her nose.

“Are you kidding ?” Hope said cynically, “I absoluutttelly love this dress” she stressed to her grinning widely while pressing it up against her body. The low cut back and the form fitting top would accent her assets beautifully. The skirt hit just midway up her thigh and paired with the black heels that she bought just days ago she was set.

“Good” Ms. Libby said to her. “I want to see pictures young lady, lots and lots of pictures. You’re going to bring me one right ?” she told her more so than asking her while handing Hope back her credit card and the receipt to sign.

Hope handed the dress to Bethany so that she could sign the receipt, “of course” she said holding out the signed receipt. “the first of next week I’ll bring them by for you to see.”

“Great” Ms. Libby replied smiling that motherly smile of hers, “I’ll hold you to that.”

Hope smiled one last time at the chubby older woman and then turned to leave. She had one more stop to make before dropping Bethany off and heading home herself. Her friend had no idea but Hope was sure that she would get one heck of a kick out of it.

“Hey, where are we going ?” Bethany sat up straighter and asked when she didn’t turn on the road that led to home.

“Somewhere” Hope said flippantly with a sly grin on her face.

“Where ?” Bethany asked now sounding curious.

“You’ll see ?” she answered her in a sing song voice.

Bethany kept her eyes peeled as Hope drove trying to figure out where they were heading. When they pulled into Friendly Center her mind whirled with possibilities but she kept her mouth shut. When she finally pulled into a parking spot right in front of Victoria Secrets Bethany’s eyes widened with glee.

Bethany turned to her friend and smirked, “are we shopping for what I think we’re shopping for ?”

Hope opened the door to the car and started to get out. She glanced over her shoulder at her friend, “What do you think ?” she said and smiled.

Bethany did a little fist pump of her own and squealed. “Hot damn, I’m not getting any but at least I can live vicariously through my best friend. You just have to promise to tell me every detail afterwards.” And then she imitated a swoon.

“You need to get your own life” Hope told her and stepped out of the car. Bethany got out too and met her at the front door.

“I don’t need a life since you’re having such as an awesome one for me” Bethany chimed in sweetly.

With her hand poised to open the door Hope paused and shot a droll look at her friend. Bethany held up her hands in what could only be considered a look of mock innocence, “what ?” she asked.

Hope turned away from her shaking her head, “unbelievable” she muttered under her breath. She opened the door and walked in the store instantly met by the sweet smells of feminine sexuality.

For several minutes the two girls split up and eyed the wide array of lingerie that Victoria Secrets offered. It seemed as thought they had something in every color for every size in that tiny store. Hope was highly amused by some of the pieces that they she saw She picked up one small black piece and wondered why someone would pay forty bucks for two small triangular pieces of translucent that was tied together with a small ribbon and trimmed in barely there lace. When you could see everything, what was the use of even wearing it she wondered.

She finally found a cute black two piece number in red that she thought would be perfect. She held it up against her body to tried to imagine what she would like with it on.

“Do you need any help ?” an older lady asked startling Hope. She had on a name tag that read Evelyn Smith which told her that she was a sales woman. Hope glanced down at the small outfit she held against herself and blushed profusely.

“That is perfect !” Bethany declared coming up from behind the sales woman. Joey is not going to know what to do with you when he sees you dressed in that.”

Hope’s blush darkened when Bethany mentioned Joey in front of the sales woman. She had to give the lady credit though, she just stood there looking back at her expectantly. After a moment of awkward silence Hope made a decision. She held out the lingerie and stated, “We’ll take it”.

Ten minutes Hope was walking out of the store with her pink bag in hand now fully prepared for tomorrows events. Subconsciously she rubbed at her neck wishing that dull burn would just go away already. It was becoming more of an irritation now and she didn’t like it, not one bit.

“Tomorrow is going to be perfect” she said aloud more as an affirmation to herself rather than to Bethany.

“You bet your ass it is” Bethany answered her with a smile, “It’s going to be epic.”

September 16, 2011

The time had finally arrived. Down stairs a multitude of people awaited her to kick off the party of the year. Everything was in place, the decorations were hung, the catered food had been carefully laid out, the music was already pumping through the state of the art sound system that her parents had rented and Hope had a small bag packed and a motel room booked for her special little after party with Joey. Every detail had been attended to and their was nothing left to do but enjoy her evening.