Page 54 of January

“I’m ayou-know-whonow?” Kyle asked.

“You shut up, too,” Melinda replied, turning around and laughing. “Tomorrow?”

“At seven?” Kyle asked. “I’ll pick you up.”

“I can’t wait.”

“I bet you can’t!” Bridgette stated loudly from behind her.

Kyle laughed on the other end of the phone and said, “I can’t wait, either.”

“Good night, Kyle. I’ve got to go toss my drink into Bridgette’s face.”

After she hung up, Melinda turned around.

“Are you kidding me?”

“What? That was Kyle, right?”

“Yes. She asked me out again.”

“Determined, huh?” Bridgette noted.

“She’s staying.”

“Staying?”

“In New Orleans. For a while.”

“Yeah? How long is a while?”

“I don’t know. But I just had to say yes. You and Jill were right: it’s worth the risk.”

“I agree,” Bridgette replied and then turned to her other friend to explain, “She’s got the hots for a tourist, who also has the hots for her.”

“Cool. So, are we getting tacos?” the friend asked.

The tacos were delicious and filling, and after they were done, they dropped Bridgette’s friend off at her hotel next door and headed back to their own room. Melinda kicked off her shoes, and Bridgette went into the bathroom to get changed.

“So, a date?”

“Yes. Tomorrow,” Melinda replied. “So, I want to get back by, like, three or four at the latest. I need to get ready.”

“Will you be shaving?” Bridgette asked her, sticking her head out of the open doorway.

“Yes, but not because of that.”

“Then, why?”

“I’m going to wear a dress, Bridge.”

“Easier for her to slip her hand under. Smart.”

“I’m not thinking about sex, Bridgette.”

“God, why not? She’s hot. I bet she’s great in bed.”

“Because it’s a date to see what’s there.”