“Time to let off some steam, huh?”
“So to speak,” I admitted.
“I can’t imagine it’s been all that long for you.”
“A month or so,” I said.
“That’s not so bad,” Lindsey said.
“I know,” I nodded.
But ever since I had become preoccupied with the dark-haired girl, my need had been running a bit high, and I knew I needed to get laid in order to satiate that desire. I hoped it would help put her from my mind so that I could give my damn lectures without constantly getting distracted by her.
“I better head out then,” I said, standing up.
Lindsey patted my cheek with her hand as she gave me a wink. “I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship.”
“Should I be scared?”
She rolled her eyes. “Get out of my office.”
Laughing, I waved goodbye and headed to the staff parking lot where I had been allotted a space. As I got into my car, I decided to avoid the blondes that night and approach someone dark haired.
Chapter Nine
Natalie
I stared at the dress Missy had picked out for me. It was a strapless mini dress with an intricate layering of beads worked into the bodice and the hemline of the skirt. The beads were a whimsical silvery blue, and the dress itself was a stunning shade of lilac.
“It’s beautiful,” I said. And, I meant it. It was a gorgeous dress, the kind that you would expect to see on a runway. “But…”
“No buts!” Missy said immediately. “This is your birthday present, which means you have to accept it.”
“It looks expensive,” I pointed out.
“I got a good deal,” she smiled. “In any case, it’s not my birthday present for you.”
I frowned. “It’s not?”
“No,” Missy shook her head. Then she pulled out a card and handed it over to me. Immediately I recognized Mom’s familiar handwriting.
“Happy Birthday, my beautiful girl! I can’t believe how fast time has flown by. It feels like just yesterday we were cutting your first birthday cake. Remember, darling; you’re only young once. Make use of the time you have. Enjoy yourself, get up to some trouble, and break a few rules. You’ve been a perfect daughter and a model student. Now it’s time to live a little. Dad and I are so proud of the young woman you’ve become. Love always, Mom and Dad.”
I blinked back my tears and looked up at Missy. “Mom picked this dress out for me?”
“Well, technically, I picked it out,” Missy admitted. “But your mom paid for it. She just wanted my help.”
“This dress must have cost a fortune,” I said, staring at the intricate details of the design. “How could she even afford it?”
“She said you would ask that,” Missy smiled. “And, she told me to tell you not to worry about the cost. It was worth every penny.”
I reached out and took the dress from Missy’s arms. I was surprisingly heavy, and I realized that that was because of the beadwork.
“Leave it to you to pick something short, tight, and strapless – all the things I specifically told you I wouldn’t wear.”
Missy laughed. “It’s kind of cute that you actually thought I would listen to that. So, are you going to wear it or do I have to force it on you?”
I gave her some side eye as I unzipped the back of the dress. “I can’t very well refuse now, can I?” I said. “Especially knowing that the dress is from my parents.”