Fostering Love (The Soul Sisters Series Book 1) (14 page)

“Oh.  Hi, Dalton, yes I’m good.  I’ve just had basketball practice with the girls.”  Her response is straight to the point, but I wouldn’t call it friendly.  I may not know this muscle madam well but I can spot someone who doesn’t want me or Flo here.

“Well Sonny, thanks for the drink and catch up I’ll be off and let you both get back to your responsible job of educating our future generation.”  As I get up I glance at Violet and bid her goodbye. “Flo, are you staying or walking me out?”

“I’ll walk you out. Catch you later Sonny.”  She says this innocently to him with a smile but it’s her innocence that makes her attractive and I’m not the only one who spots this.  It would appear that Violet thinks she has competition for Sonny in our very own Flo.

“Oh what good timing, Sonny I could do with your guy hands in the basketball store, I need to shift the nets around.”  Violet is completely fake and over the top...definitely Barbie!

“OK.  See you later Dolly.  I’ll come by your class later and grab those papers you got for me Flo, thanks again for doing that,” says Sonny. 

“No trouble Sonny,” again Flo is just being normal Flo, but it doesn’t make Violet any happier that she’s having to fight for his attention.  He seems oblivious to her lame attempt to stamp her claim and I imagine the way she’s busting out of her track suit that she’s been trying for some time and he’s failed to notice.  She is clearly on a ramped up phase of operations.  Sonny doesn’t seem shy or embarrassed about it because the poor sap genuinely thinks Violet needs help; he’ll learn.

I wander to Wally’s shop, he’s fine and doesn’t need any help, so we just catch up on the tourist brochure progress and I leave him to carry on with the bits and pieces he was doing before I interrupted him.  I’ve also had another couple of text messages from Jonas which I’ve continued to ignore and I need to get home and start preparations for Friday night at Purps.

I’m trying to get ready for girls night and my non-date with Tommy as Neely, Flo And Lottie arrive.  I’m fairly sure that because I’ve described it as a non-date Neely thinks I’m going to turn up dressed in yoga pants and a hooded top.

“I just want to make sure you’re addressing the clothing aspect of your non date with Tommy seriously and not thinking about going out all Dolly dreary,” says Neely which confirms my suspicions.  They’ve clearly planned this, gotten themselves ready early and come over.  Neely is wearing an electric blue strapless tube dress and it’s like a second skin.  She’s got matching colored stiletto shoes on and has ironed her silky black hair poker straight.  One arm is heavy with lots of bangles and she’s wearing a big silver choker.  As always she looks amazing, she’ll be blinding the guys tonight with her beauty that’s for sure.  Flo and Lottie are in similar attire, with Flo sporting a multi colored patterned dress that has a short tight skirt with a tight top and baggy bat wings.  It’s off the shoulder and a perfect blend of comfortable and risky when teamed with 4 inch strappy heels.  Lottie looks like a dress mannequin.  She’s wearing a nude colored body con dress with a big black section in the middle.  On her tanned skin it looks amazing and the matching purse, shoes and accessories look exactly as they are supposed to; expensive.

“How about I go with this one?” I say holding up a red halter neck dress.

“No.  Too street hooker for a non-date,” says Lottie and Flo nods in agreement.

“What about this?” I say again holding up a mid range LBD.

“Christ, no.  Too interviewish.  Move out of the way, honestly you’ve never been able to dress for a date and it seems you’re incapable of dressing for a non-date too.”  This is frustrated Neely coming to the forefront.  I step back from the wardrobe and sweep my arm out offering her pole position at my chaotic fashion emporium.  She steps forward and the sound of hangers clanging and scraping along the rail gets faster the more frustrated she gets and every now and then it slows whilst she “ums” and “aahs” over a possibility.

“This is the one, brace yourself Tommy,” she mutters to herself and swings around holding my cute slate grey Christo creation.  I've had it years it’s never dated and I wear it infrequently because I think it’s a little racy for the streets of Hawkstown.  “This,” she says, “screams I am a confident beautiful blonde with a fun Friday non-date to impress.”  It seems that the other two agree, being out numbered on this means I won’t be able to refuse the selected item.

“Oh I don’t know, I can’t really wear a bra with that you don’t think I’ll look like I’m trying too much?” I answer.

“Nope, get it on and I’ll deliver the remaining magic once you’re in it,” she snaps as she thrusts the dress at me.

The dress is unique, it’s strapless with a hidden boned bustier which means it retains shape and sturdiness for keeping my breasts in place but the ribs are soft enough that you can tell I’m not wearing a bra and you also get a hint of sexy breast swell too.  There is no back to speak of and what there is of it is a single one inch thick strap shaped like a T that goes across the back and down the middle to the waist band of the skirt.  The skirt bit is simple, it’s tight and fairly short at mid thigh and it balances out the racy top perfectly.  Although I love the dress I feel like I’m trying to garner attention and I suppose I am, aren’t we all?  So I suck it up and tell myself Tommy better appreciate this.

“Here, put these on too.”

“Neely I won’t be able to dance in them,” I say with a head shake.

“Exactly, you’ll only be capable of shuffling to the ladies and maybe the bar and back and if you’re feeling brave possibly a slow dance with Tommy,” says Lottie.    The shoes Neely has given me are sky high and they put me at over six foot.  They’ve got a pretty little detailed cut out leather butterfly that sits over the top of the ankle clasp and have a deadly looking pointed toe.

“Sit here, let me finish the look.”  I perch on the edge of my bed while she back combs some of my curls and then quickly attacks me with makeup.  It’s not fancy because I don’t need it with this dress, just some smoky grey eye shadow, a feint black line of eyeliner, a touch of mascara and a wisp of lip gloss that makes my full lips look plumper.

“Lean forward and bend your head,” she barks.  I do this and she starts to frantically fluff my hair and spray it with hairspray whilst my head is upside down.  Then “Up” is the next command I receive.

“OK.  Give me a minute to get over the hairspray head rush,” I reply, and as I stand up she takes some simple dangly earrings and a necklace that ends seductively between my cleavage which Flo has been busy selecting. After this she gives me a two inch thick bangle to go on my wrist and huge simple wedge of silver which is a ring to go on the same hand.

“Winner.  Epic.  Dark Dolly is coming out to play,” she says as she turns me to the mirror.  I stare at my own reflection and feel butterflies in my stomach because I know I look hot.  As in scorching hot.

“Jesus, even I don’t know it’s me, there is no denying it, you girls are amazing.” I smile and grab my purse off the chair.

“The girl is happy, our work is done and we will take full credit for the immediate boner Tommy gets when he sees you.”   I turn back to the mirror and smile at all my girls, the fact that they’ve come together to help me is their way of showing support and making me comfortable enough to let my hair down and have a good time.

We arrive at Purps and Tits is behind the bar, so Flo and I leave the drinks to the other two and go to see if there is an alcove lounge free.  I spot one and signal that’s where were heading as we make in that direction.

“Are you excited?  I’m excited for you.  Was he a good kisser?  No don’t answer that, you don’t need to, of course he was,” Flo mumbles.

“I think you should answer Dolly, I’d love to know.”  I spin round and there’s Tommy with a huge grin on his face.  He’s wearing a simple white linen shirt with the sleeves shoved roughly up to his elbows, plain black trousers and shoes.  He looks good and I blush when I remember the last time I saw him as he approaches me casually.

“Hi,” I say and he takes my hand and steps closer to me, he then bends to kiss my cheek and whispers “Hi” back to me.  We don’t say anything else and it feels like it’s enough.  I make a glance in Flo’s direction and she’s day dreaming which means she is off in romance novel land again.

“Drinks are up, hey Tommy, what do you want...a beer?”  Lottie asks.

“I’ll get it, you have a seat with your girls,” he says and wanders off to the bar.

“He looks a dish tonight,” says Neely. “Do we need code cues or a rescue symbol for the nights proceedings, Dolly?” 

“No, it’s not going to be like that, it’s just a get to know you drink and anyway we’re all here together.”  They laugh at that and are still chuckling as Tommy returns and after some seat shuffling takes place he finds himself next to me.  We talk and sip our drinks, I’m in on a bottle of something sparkly that the girls have got and he’s steadily nursing his beer.

“How’s work, Tommy?”

“Busy thanks Neely, but I’m not complaining,” he replies.

“Done any more
outdoor
jobs?” she says on a chuckle.

“Oh no, they’re reserved for special fares only,” he says and then looks at me “They know?”  The bubbles are going to my head so I giggle in reply “Absolutely, we share everything, can you handle that Tommy?”

“I don’t share Dolly and something tells me I’m going to have my hands full with you, hopefully about as full as they were a few days ago.”

“Maybe,” I reply on an eyebrow raise.  The girls clearly think things are progressing and that I no longer need their help so they head off to the dance floor, telling me to stay and get to know Tommy better.  I blush and smile at Tommy as they leave.

“I have to tell you, you look amazing tonight, but I’ve seen you look better.  It’s a good thing they don’t allow the untied bikini top look here or I’d have put in a request for you to wear that.”  His voice goes deeper and quieter as he says this, it’s like he’s including me in on a secret conspiracy.

“Thanks Tommy.  About the other, I don’t usually...”

“Don’t apologize,” he cuts me off, “I don’t want you to apologize; I’ve been waiting for the right moment to ask you out.  Admittedly, we did things backwards but none the less, best assistant working day ever.”

I laugh, “Well it was part of my elaborate plan.  Create a fake job at a secluded nature spot and then seduce an unsuspecting male...”  I can’t keep my face straight as I finish the line.

“Your plan was foolproof right up until we were interrupted by the winners of the bad time awards,” he says laughing back at me.

By this point Tommy has turned to face me and has his hand on my knee gently rubbing it.  My dress is shorter now I’m sat down so every once in a while he takes the opportunity to rub his hand a little higher.  Whilst this is going on he glances at my eyes, lips and face, like he’s asking for permission to move this forward.

“I like you Dolly and I want to see how good things could be between us.”  He leans in for a little kiss and then brushes his lips just below my ear.  “You’re beautiful and knowing what I know about how you look when I do things too you, makes me want to see it again. I can’t wait to see it again.” He’s still placing soft kisses on my jaw as he speaks these words and I’ve got my head nuzzled into him and my eyes are droopy and half closed, I’m also making some murmuring sounds of agreement.

“Excuse me, Miss Frobisher, the Manager would like to see you for a moment.”

“Sorry, what?” I say as I turn and look at one of the cookie cutter doormen standing at the end of the alcove we’re sat in.

“The Manager, Miss Frobisher; asks that you give him a moment of your time,” he repeats.

“Sorry, I don’t even know who the Manager is, so no, thanks, but no thanks I don’t think so bruiser boy.”

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to insist or ask you to leave the premises.”  Oh my God, he’s actually totally serious.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I yell back at him.

“It’s OK Dolly we’ll go and see what he wants,” Tommy tells him.

“My apologies Mr Sevens, I’m asked to escort Miss Frobisher.  Just Miss Frobisher.”

WHAT!  He is completely serious about this too.

“She’s not going anywhere on
his
demand,” Tommy says calmly, but it’s with an edge that tells me he knows what this is about.

“Tommy, come and join us for a beer whilst Dolly deals with this bit of business,” I hear Chris say.

  Where did Chris come from?

  Tommy looks at me and then the doorman and concedes.  “OK a quick beer; you had best bring her back to me quickly and if you don’t I’ll find her first and then you.”  There is definitely a threat in that statement. 

What the fuck? I don’t want to and see the Manager.

“Miss Frobisher,” cookie cutter guy is looking at me and waiting for me to get out of the alcove and follow him.  He can tell I’m not happy but he doesn’t acknowledge it or care.  “This way please.”  He leads me round the dance floor to a paneled door next to a closed bar, after he opens the door he ushers me through and says “Top of the stairs, first door on the left,” with that he leaves me and shuts the door behind him as he resumes his job for the night.

I’m still at the bottom of the stairs, having a moment of paranoia.  I’m contemplating leaving, but I’m also curious enough to see what this is about and angry enough to need someone to shout at.  This Manager is going to get it for his unexplained and insistent interruption.   I fly up the stairs in my crazy shoes and think, fuck knocking, so I just grab the handle and barge in, on the other side of the door is a very angry looking Jonas.  He’s stood like he’s made of vibrating stone in front of a large desk.  Behind him I can see the lights in the club ceiling flashing and feel just a hint of base drum from the music.  It’s then that I realize the mirrors around one edge of the dance floor are two way mirrors giving the manager the option to oversee his domain as he wants.