Take Heart by Lauren Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

favorite girlfriend that makes people question your sexuality on a daily basis, that one’s a keeper. Turns out, she was right. I’m sure handfuls of people out there assume that we’re lesbians—Eric being one of them. He wishes. Can’t say he doesn’t dream big.
    Knowing exactly what my scorned lover needs in order to feel better, I reach down, and pull the box of shoes out of the bag. I remove the lid and crawl seductively onto her bed. Situating myself up on my knees, I straddle her and present the box.
    She instantly lights up, eagerly snatching it out of my hands. She pushes me backwards. I flop against the bed, laughing. She examines the boots carefully, lovingly. “Oh, my God!” she gasps. “I’m totally borrowing these. You are going to look so freaking hot tonight, Mia!”
    “You think so?” I ask, propping myself up on my elbows.
    She gives me a don’t-be-ridiculous look. “I know so, baby girl. Chase is a lucky man. He better not screw this up.”
    God bless girlfriends who lift you up and champion you.
    “If you want, I have some cute, silver chandelier earrings that would go really well these. You should wear them.”
    “I’d love to, thank you. Also, I have a favor to ask.”
    She puts the boots down, and gives me her full attention. “What’s up?”
    “Can you please do my hair and give me those sexy loose curls that you do so well? You know, the one’s that will make him visualize fisting my hair in his hand and giving it a nice pull,” I say with a wink.
    “Absolutely,” she says deviously.
     
    Three hours later, I’m dressed and ready. I feel confident and sexy, but my nerves have spiked with anticipation. When was the last time I went out on a date? My palms are clammy and my heart is in my throat. I made sure to load up good on the deodorant, figuring that my palms wouldn’t be the only thing sweating.
    My hair is curled to perfection and pinned back on one side. The chandelier earrings look great with the outfit, and after applying and reapplying my makeup fifteen trillion times, I finally settled on a dark charcoal eye shadow. It gives my eyes a smokey, heated look. Now if I could only stop sweating. Ugh, I hate dating. Why the hell did I agree to this?
    “You look gorgeous, Mia. Stop fidgeting so much,” Raven scolds, running her fingers through my curls. She’s putting the finishing touches on me.
    “I can’t help it. I’m nervous.”
    “He’s going to be here any minute. Pull it together. The last thing you want is to look like Ben Stiller when he went on that dinner date with Jennifer Aniston in Along Came Polly. That was just gross.”
    Great. That’s a visual I didn’t need in my head. A very sweaty Ben Stiller with irritable bowel syndrome who later practically shits himself to death at her place afterwards. Awesome.
    I jog out of the bathroom and into the kitchen to try and kill my anxiety, but it’s no use. I’m a nervous wreck. If I weren’t so concerned about sweating, I’d break out into a full-on workout to help calm me down. I open the freezer and lift my arms up to air out my pits, representing the epitome of class and sexiness in the name of every woman out there. Just when I feel like I’m getting my nerves under control, there’s a knock at the door.
    Oh, God, he’s here. How did he get past the gate? Do I look sexy? I’m not sure I feel sexy anymore. Will he think I’m sexy? Maybe his version of sexy and mine are totally different. What if he tries to kiss me tonight? Do I want to be kissed? I don’t want to come off too easy. What if the only reason he’s interested in me is because he thinks I’m easy? Oh, fuck off, Mia!
    I briskly close the freezer door and block out the incessant rambling. Raven emerges from the hallway and gives me an excited, two thumbs up.
    “Ready?” she mouths.
    I take a deep, calming breath and nod.
    She peeks through the peephole and opens the door.
    “Hey, Raven,” I hear him say.
    “Hey, yourself,”