“Mm-hmm.” Tori moved off the bed and went to look out the window. “Not much of a view here.”
That had Kristen laughing. “I’m not here for the view.”
When her cell phone buzzed, Kristen grabbed it to check who had texted.
“Who is it?” Tori glanced her way.
“It’s Reggie.” She smiled slightly, typing a reply. “He says he has the perfect restaurant picked out and can’t wait to see me.”
“Nice.” Tori narrowed her eyes. “And you said Blake set you up with this guy?”
“What? No.” Kristen delved into her backpack and pulled out a matching bra-and-panty set and the dress she planned to wear tonight. “Reggie was at the station when I brought Blake his pie. And, well, we hit it off, and he asked me out.”
Tori’s brows drew together. “I really thought you and Blake were going to end up sleeping together. I would’ve staked money on it.”
A stab of disappointment hit, and Kristen turned away before her friend saw her expression. She hung the dress up in the closet to get the wrinkles out. “Yeah, well, he literally would never let that happen. He’s pretty hung up on that whole ‘Bro Code’ thing.”
“They all are. It’s archaic and stupid. Does this Reggie guy know you’re a virgin?”
“No way. And I’m going to keep it that way. We’ll go out to dinner, maybe have some wine to take the edge off, and then, hopefully, get to the sexy stuff like normal people do.” Her phone buzzed again, so she quickly checked the message. “He’s asking if I like oysters.”
“Supposed aphrodisiac. He absolutely hopes to get in your pants.”
Kristen blushed and typed back a quick, flirty reply and asked what time she should meet him.
“Just the fact that he’s texting this much shows how into you he is.” Tori dug her keys out of her purse. “I need to go to work, but please call or text me before noon tomorrow, okay? Let me know you’re okay. Not dead or anything.”
“Ah, like that la petite mort thing?”
“No. Dead from him being an ax murderer, not an orgasm. Speaking of, don’t get your hopes up for having one. It’s your first time out of the gate.”
Kristen’s cheeks heated, and she decided not to address the orgasm comment. “That ax-murderer stuff is so 1980s. And I doubt Blake would let me sleep with someone whose fetish is killing people.”
“You never can be too safe. Speaking of, make sure he wears a condom.” Tori gave her a shrewd look as she shouldered her purse.
“Absolutely. I have a whole box.”
“Good girl. Have fun tonight.” Tori gentled her tone and came around to give her a hug. “I hope you have the most amazing first-time sex possible. Which, like I said, is usually still pretty shitty. So, keep your expectations realistic.”
Amusement had Kristen smiling. “I love you, my pragmatic friend. Now get out.”
“Love you, girl.” Her friend disappeared out the door with one last reassuring glance.
The quiet in the room surrounded her, and Kristen’s nerves rattled to life.
What was wrong with her? This is exactly what she’d been wanting. And Reggie seemed like such a nice guy. This literally couldn’t be any more perfect.
So why the knotted stomach?
She grabbed her bra-and-panty set and slipped into them before grabbing the dress and pulling it over her head.
A quick glance in the mirror showed she was nearly at that fairly attractive stage. Or about as attractive as she could get when she put in the effort.
She’d already dried her hair, so just a little makeup and perfume and she’d be all set.
As she grabbed her makeup bag, she realized it had been about fifteen minutes since her last text to Reggie, and he hadn’t written back yet. That seemed a little weird, especially since she should’ve been leaving to meet him soon.
She went over to the mirror and started on the makeup. She’d only just finished with mascara when a sharp knock sounded on the door.