Nice Girl (23 page)

Whatever the case, Ivy’s enthusiasm was catching.  I started to look at the dresses myself for something new to wear tonight.  I hadn’t gone shopping with a group of girls in a long time.  I was having a blast.

The three of us were in the dressing room trying on clothes.  Ivy found a gorgeous dress.  It was a turquoise blue.  The color looked stunning on her dark skin.  What amazed me about Ivy’s confidence was that she could wear a tight fitting dress and still look so voluptuous.  She told me once that she probably could stand to lose about thirty pounds but she made peace with her body.  

I thought of all the pressure I put on myself to try for the perfect body.  I had lost fifteen pounds but still looked at how my belly and my thighs were a little pudgy.  I was nervous for the night of her wedding that Vinnie with his rock hard body would see me without any clothes on.  Watching Ivy try on seductive tight dresses made me realize I needed to let go of my hang-ups too.  I was done trying to lose one more dress size.  This would be a true test of strong confident woman.  Having a man accept my body for what it was. 

Just then, Ivy held up a fire engine red spaghetti strap dress. 

“Ivy, what are you doing?  You already found the perfect dress!”  I exclaimed.

“Oh no, Grace.  Not for me.  For YOU!”

I hesitated and then laughed.  “You’re kidding me right?  You honestly think I can pull that off?”

“Grace, I see what you wear to A and V.  You have a gorgeous body.  You definitely don’t flaunt it enough.”

“I don’t know.”  I looked at the dress again and started to have heart palpitations.

“Just try it on.  Come on, it’ll be fun.”

“I guess it won’t hurt to try it on.  But I’m not buying it.”

She walked into the dressing room with me like she didn’t believe me. 

“I think the reason Vinnie is so hot for you is because of how petite and cute you are.  Jamal says Vinnie seems to go out of his way to be protective of you.  He will make them wait for a meeting so that he can walk you home.” 

Huh?  I didn’t know that.  She helped me zip up the dress.  “You need to emphasize those breasts, girl.  You will just scream sex to him.”

“I don’t know how to scream sex.”

Ivy started laughing so hard, she had to sit down.  Then she looked up.  “Yes girl!  You have to get this dress.”

I looked in the mirror and saw a vixen in a sexy red dress.  I am so getting this dress.

We went back to Ivy’s apartment to get ready for the night.  Mindy and India walked in carrying Ivy’s favorite drink, a strawberry daiquiri mix.  I was still in Ivy’s bedroom trying to curl my hair since it always took forever.  I looked up as Mindy walked in.

“Hey Grace, I’m looking for Ivy’s mascara.  I forgot to put some on before we left.   Oooh, can I curl your hair?  I always loved playing with my sister’s hair.”

“Hell yes, Mindy!”   There is nothing like sitting back while someone else does your hair.

We pulled up a chair so I could sit down in front of the mirror.

“That’s a gorgeous color on you Grace.  Is the dress new?”

“Yes, Ivy made me buy it.”  I grumbled.

“It looks good on you.  I’ve never seen you wear something so scandalous.”  She teased.  “Is it for someone special?  Like a really big guy with a shaved head and a scary scar?”

“Well, I guess everyone knows my business.”  I laughed even though I was blushing.   “Not that it matters.  We won’t be seeing the A and V guys tonight.  It is Ivy’s last weekend as a single woman.”

“Oh, you really don’t believe that, do you?”

“Mindy, what do you know that I don’t know?”  I asked nervously.

“India says there’s no way that Jamal is going to let Ivy drink all night in a club without showing up.”

“I thought tonight was Jamal’s bachelor party.  That’s what Jamie told me.”

“Oh it is but India guarantees that Jamal can’t stay away from Ivy even for one night.”

“I wonder if that means all the guys will be showing up?”  Could I be more obvious?

“We’ll see.  I’m done.  Damn, I’m good!  Where is Ivy’s hand mirror?” 

I stood up as Mindy found the hand mirror.  Even without looking at the back, I loved the job she did on my hair.  She expertly teased the curls so that my hair looked fuller and wilder.  I’m not very good with using a teasing comb so I usually just leave it with the long curly look.  When I looked at the back, I saw the same result.  I would never be able to repeat it.   It was a Julia Roberts movie star look.

“Wow, Mindy, you’re really talented.”

Mindy giggled.  “I love doing hair.  It’s a great outlet for my boring advertising job.  Let’s see what everyone thinks.”  And she grabbed my hand and we ran out of the bedroom.

The party had definitely begun.  Ivy, India, Janet and her other friend, Charese, were sitting around the table doing shots. 

“Look at sexy baby Grace!”  Shouted Ivy as she downed a shot.  Good lord, I think she was drunk already.

“I see that Mindy is playing hairdresser again.”  Said India dryly.

“Oh stop teasing the love of your life, India.”  Slurred Ivy.  Yes, she was majorly buzzed already.

The buzzer beeped and Janet jumped up a little too excitedly.  “The limo is here!”  She shouted so loud I think the whole floor of the apartment building heard. 

Just how many shots did these ladies do while I was getting my hair done?

We all practically ran into each other as clutch purses were grabbed.  I ran to get mine in Ivy’s bedroom and stole one last glance at myself in the mirror.  I had never looked so alluring.  I wanted to  see Vinnie tonight now more than anything.

We arrived at the club in record time.  This was a good thing because Ivy and Janet were complaining that we ran out of the apartment so fast, we didn’t bring anything to drink.  I was predicting with India which one of them was going to be the first to throw up by the end of the night.

It was crowded but since we were early enough there were no lines.  We camped at a table, ordered the first round of drinks and then the dancing started. 

Within the hour, I felt like I had been at an aerobics class instead of a club.  I had never danced so much.   I thought I’d be self-conscious about the way I was dressed.  When I looked around, I saw the club full of women scantily dressed.  Short tight skirts that barely covered their ass and cleavage falling out seemed to be more the norm.  I saw women and men grinding against one another while they danced.  At first, I tried hard not to stare.  I felt like the typical Midwest country bumpkin.  No wonder that everyone could tell I was such an innocent.  I didn’t know how to move seductively or dance with my hands all over a man.  Tonight I may have looked the part with my sexy dress and wild hair but I sure didn’t know how to act like a seductress. 

Between every few dances, our group went back to our table and finished our drinks or did a round of shots.  Even with all the dancing, I was starting to feel the effects of the alcohol.  I was nervous that Vinnie might show up.  It seemed like that tension only encouraged me to drink more. 

It didn’t take long for Ivy to start texting Jamal.  She was so drunk she could barely type in the letters.  She was laughing hysterically at his responses back.  I saw India lean over to Mindy and mouth “I told you so.”

Then, suddenly, she put her head on the table.

“Ivy, what’s wrong. Did Jamal say something?”  Mindy looked concerned.  India looked bored.

“No, it’s not that.”  Ivy barely croaked out.  “I think I’m going to throw up.”

“Well Grace, we should have bet on it.” India smirked.

“India, it’s not funny.”  Mindy ran over to Ivy.

“I’ll go get her some water.” I jumped up.  I didn’t know if Ivy wanted water or not.  I just couldn’t stay.  There is something about seeing someone throw up that immediately makes me feel like I have to.

Even though the bar area was crowded, I saw an opening.  I had been drinking shots and other fancy drinks all night so my stomach was a little queasy.  I’m used to drinking beer not hard liquor.  While I was walking, I felt kind of wobbly.  It was definitely time to stop drinking.  All of a sudden, I had a taste for a diet soda.  I had my money on the counter hoping that would get the bartender’s attention. 

He looked busy so I had a feeling I’d be standing there awhile. 

“Need some help getting Joe’s attention?”  Said a male voice next to me.

I turned to see an
interesting
guy around my age.   He wasn’t dressed flashy.  Just a simple black concert t-shirt of a group I didn’t recognize.  He was full of tattoos from his arms to the sides of his neck.  He had large hoop piercing in his ears.   His stature was on the small side so I didn’t find him threatening.  Plus the fact that he had a nice friendly smile meant I wouldn’t be uncomfortable waiting for the diet soda I was now craving. 

“That would be great if you could get his attention.  Being short doesn’t help to get noticed.”  I laughed. 

“Oh I wouldn’t say that.  I noticed you right away.”

Great, he was flirting.  I just wanted something cold to drink that wasn’t alcohol.

Just then, the bartender met my eyes.  I nodded with my best “Pick me. Pick me” look.

Then he came over.  Yes!  Save!  “What can I get you?” the bartender asked.  

“Thanks.  I just need a diet soda and a glass of water.”

“Hard drinker, huh?”  The tattooed guy kept trying to make conversation.

“Well the water is for my friend who has had way too much to drink.  The diet soda is for me.  I think I’ve had my fill too.”

“Been there.  My name’s Jordan by the way.”

“I’m Grace.”  Then I glanced down the bar to see why getting a diet soda was taking so long.  The male bartender was flirting with the female bartender at the other end of the bar.  Yeah.

When I glanced back I saw Jordan whip his head back up.  He was staring at my ass. 

“So Grace, are you here with anyone?”

Hmmm.  How do I answer this?  No, I’m not here with anyone.  But I’m in love with the sexiest guy on the planet that could blow on you and knock you over.  Stop looking up and down my body.  I thought you had a friendly smile but now the leering is grossing me out.

I didn’t get a chance to answer.  I felt movement behind me.  I saw Jordan’s head begin to look over my shoulder and then his eyes got wider.  I knew right away only one person could cause that look of fear.

I turned around and threw my arms around him.  Vinnie!

“Hi!”  I giggled.  Damn, I still sounded too tipsy. 

Vinnie put his arms around my waist but still had a murderous glare locked with Jordan.  I found it silly.  Jordan’s staring might have been unpleasant but there was no threat.  I was so happy that Vinnie was here and he had his arms around me that I started to giggle again.  This seemed to soften him up some.  He stopped his scowling at Jordan and looked at me with a gentleness that made my whole body sigh.

“How much have you had to drink, Grace?”  He whispered in my ear. 

I grabbed his face to bend his ear towards my mouth and whispered “A lot.”

He chuckled. “Time to go find our friends.”

All of a sudden the bartender appeared and robotically put down my diet soda and Ivy’s water.  I almost felt like it took Vinnie standing next to me for my drinks to arrive.  This angered me.  The nice girl in me sometimes takes a back seat when I’ve had a little too much to drink.

“Took you long enough!”  I snapped as I shoved my money at him.  The bartender looked at Vinnie and wisely didn’t comment.  I think he mumbled “sorry” as he walked away. 

“My my my, Grace.  I think you’re hanging out too much with me.  My temper is starting to rub off on you.”  Vinnie grinned as he took both my diet soda and Ivy’s water.

“I like hanging out with you.”  Yes, a little alcohol and all of a sudden certain things are easier to say. 

Vinnie smiled “Well, that’s good to know.”

His smile went right to my very core.  My stomach clenched and I swear my panties were getting wet.   A quick thought went into my head.  Maybe I wouldn’t wait until the night of Ivy and Jamal’s wedding reception.  Maybe tonight would be the night.  This thought immediately made me nervous.  I needed something to hold on to.  I grabbed my diet soda so he wouldn’t have to carry both drinks.

“You weren’t going to let that guy at the bar offer to get your drink, were you?”

“Hell no.”

“Don’t ever let a guy buy you a drink.  Creeps like that are known to slip something in the drink when the gal isn’t looking.”

“Okay, Dad.”

“I’m serious Grace.  I saw from across the room the way that asshole was checking you out.  He looked like he was wanted to do something about it.” 

“Well then I’m glad my hero showed up.”

We had almost reached the table when Vinnie stopped and grabbed my arm.  He bent down and whispered in my ear.  “Wear this dress again and I definitely will be getting into a few fights.”

That’s it.  Tonight was the night.

Chapter 26

I didn’t stop talking on the ride back to my dorm with Vinnie.  I know it was from nerves.  It must have been pretty obvious to everyone when I didn’t ride with the limo back to Ivy’s place.  But then again everyone was so drunk, who knew what anyone would remember. 

Vinnie had me laughing away at the description of a stripper giving Jamie a lap dance.  That I would have paid top dollar to see. 

When we pulled up to my dorm, my stomach immediately fluttered.  Then, to add to my nervousness, Vinnie pulled into a parking spot. 

He looked at me with his intense gaze.  “I thought I’d better walk you up.  I don’t like dropping you off at the door when you’ve been drinking this much.”

“I’m not that drunk!” and I giggled again.  What the hell was with this stupid laugh?

I got out of the car and immediately started wobbling.

“No, of course, Grace.  You haven’t been drinking a lot.”  Vinnie chuckled.

“It was just the change of motion getting out from the car, Mr. Sarcastic.”  Still I leaned on his massive arm as we walked. 

In the elevator, it was an uncomfortable silence.  Was he thinking what I was thinking?  I was too chicken to look down.  Plus, I was worried that looking down would make me feel sick.