“Yep.”
“Where is he taking you?”
“I don’t know.” I move to the corner of my room and sit on the small chair. “I don’t know where he’s taking me, and I don’t know what to wear. I’ve tried on ten outfits, and none of them are right. I’m kind of freaking out here, Pipes.”
“Take a deep breath. Orrin is a great guy.”
“I know that. I still want to look good for him.”
“You need to just be you, Jade. Don’t try to be someone you think he wants you to be. Be you, and that’s the you he asked out. Remember that.”
“I know.”
“It’s dinner. Go with a sundress or some dressier shorts, and you’ll be fine.”
“I bought a new sundress today.”
“Perfect.”
“I don’t know.”
“Just message him and ask him what you need to wear.”
“I don’t have his number. He said he would pick me up at five. I just assumed since Willow River is such a small town, he knew where I lived.”
“I’m sure he does, and if not, he has ways to find out. Like you said, this is Willow River.”
“I really like him, Pipes. At least what I know of him since I’ve been back in town.” I’ve never admitted that before, because I always thought the chances of Orrin and I getting together were slim to none. Now, things have changed, and I’m kind of freaking out.
“Okay. We’re going to hang up, and I’m going to call you back with a video chat. We’re going to figure this out.”
“Thank you.” I hit End, and a few seconds later, my phone rings again, this time with a video call. “Hey.” I smile.
“Oh, love the hair. Those loose curls are perfect.”
“Thanks. Okay, here’s what I have so far.” I switch the camera to the bed and show her the mounds of clothes that I’m going to be cursing myself for later when I have to hang them all back up in my closet.
“What’s that green? Is that a dress?” Piper asks.
I reach down and pick up the emerald green dress I bought for tonight. “Yes. This is the one I bought today.”
“Wear that. Do you still have those strappy black sandals?”
“Yes.”
“Those too. Put them on. I’ll wait.”
“Fine.” I laugh. I turn the camera back around and place it on the nightstand.
“Damn, did you buy that set today, too?” she asks.
I look down at the dark emerald bra and panties. “Yes. It was a splurge. Not that I think we’re going to get to a point in the night that Orrin will see them, but they make me feel sexy.”
“Because they’re hot as fuck,” Piper says. “And it’s always best to be prepared for these kinds of things. You never know where the night might lead, and there is nothing wrong with you making the choice to show this little get-up to your man.”
“He’s not my man.”
“Oh, he’s your man,” she assures me. “I saw the way he couldn’t keep his eyes off you.”
“Stop. You’re going to get my hopes up and make the butterflies in my belly worse. I’m already nervous as hell.”
“It’s just Orrin.”
“Right.” I pull the sundress over my head. “Okay. What do you think?” I twirl so she can see me.
“I think you look beautiful, Jade. Truly. Orrin is going to swallow his tongue when he sees you.”
“You think so?”
“Yes. Take a deep breath. Tonight is going to be great. I have a good feeling about this.”
“I’m trying not to get too excited.”
“Why the hell not?”
“I don’t know. I guess I don’t want to get my hopes up. One date doesn’t mean forever.”
“No, but that’s how forever starts. It’s okay to let yourself be excited. If it doesn’t work out, then it doesn’t work out. But you can’t hold back and not put yourself out there. You’ll regret it.”
“You’re right.”
“Wait, can you say that again? I need to hit Screen Record.”
“Ha ha.” I shake my head and pick the phone up from the nightstand. “It’s been a really long time since a date excited me this much. I know I need to stop letting my nerves get the best of me.”
“Yes. Do that. And have fun. Call me later, or you know, tomorrow.” She wags her eyebrows.
“I’ll call you tonight when I get in. I need to go. He’s supposed to be here in ten minutes. I still have to find my shoes.”
“Okay. Have fun.” The screen goes black. Oddly I feel calmer than before. It’s not that I needed Piper’s validation on my outfit, but not doing it alone helped ease some of my anxiety about tonight.
Tossing my phone on the bed, I rush to my closet to find the strappy sandals that Piper suggested I wear. I find them on the bottom of my shoe rack just as there’s a knock at the door.
“Shit.” Sandals in hand, I rush to the front door of my small two-bedroom rental. With my hand on the knob, I take a full deep breath before pulling open the door. Orrin smiles and waves.