Page 55 of Silk Sheets

“I know what I’m doing, I just—”

“And I don’t doubt that,” she cut me off with soft, genuine eyes. “But that doesn’t mean that I won’t worry about you and your safety.”

I lowered my head and brief silence hung in the air—it was as if guilt was taking over. I felt awful. First, I don’t accept the apartment, and now I can’t even be honest with her.

“Sleep on it.”

My head shot up.

“If you still prefer this house you’ve found, your father and I will drive up with you in the morning to check it out. How does that sound?”Awful.

“Great.”I shouldn’t have said that.

“Perfect.”No, mom. Not perfect.

* * *

“Date with who?”

I sighed, looking at myself in my full-length mirror and noticed Solace cocking a very sharp brow at me through the mirror.

I dropped my shoulders, pinning her with a look of defeat. “It’s not a date.”

She replied with a sarcastic nod. “Right. Because we casually slip on a pair of brand new red bottomsjust cause,” she gave her shoulder a slight shrug.

“If I say it’s a date will you let it go?” I asked, dropping my dress to the floor before stepping out of it.

“And we just casually wear sexy lingerie too,” she added.

“Solace…”

“Oh come on,” she groaned, falling onto her back as she stared up at the ceiling.

Solace called to invite me to some party a bunch of college kids were hosting. When I told her I already had plans, she didn’t waste a second. She rocked up to my house, demanding an explanation. Because, in her words,‘since when do you turn down a college party with me?’.She had a valid point.

“You’ve never once mentioned anything about a new boy and now you’re wearing sexy lingerie and expensive shoes tonotgo on a date?”

She jumped up and crawled toward the edge of the bed. “Just give me something,anything.”

I simply shook my head.

“Fine,” she scurried up onto her feet. “Is he tall? Older? Rich?Illegal?” she asked, whispering the last word and I sighed.

“I can’t tell you anything, I’m sorry.”

“Definitely illegal, got it,” she spoke before going back to get comfortable on my bed and I turned, walking into my closet.

“Illegal how?” she called out from behind me. “Drugs? Most wanted? Serial killer?” she asked and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Neither of the above,” I shook my head, entering my bedroom and she dropped her shoulders in defeat. “I think,” I added.

She threw my stuffed heart shaped pillow at me and I laughed as I dodged it.

“Well, D, what exactlycanyou tell me?”

I wiggled into my skirt, turning to face her entirely. “That he’s amazing, generous, and well, he makes me feel safe.” I paused for a moment. “And Lacey, I’m comfortable with him. I trust him.” I saidhim…but I meantthem. I just couldn’t say that to her. “And he’s a really great guy, so just trust me, okay?”

She ran her tongue over her top teeth, then rolled her eyes. “Fine.”