Tuesday: Late afternoon

“Really, Cami?” I hear Kay ask from behind me.
“What?” I shrug, turning around.

“Bra and undies?” Her eyes dart to the baking tin sitting on my kitchen bench. “And what is that? Cake? Did you make that?” She gasps.

“Yep,” I say as I stuff more cake into my mouth.

“And you just couldn’t be bothered to cut a piece and put it on a plate?” She asks while walking towards me and snatching the fork out of my hand.

“HEY!” I complain to her.
“That’s not how one eats cake, Cami,” She says, rolling her eyes at me.

“I’m home alone, I don’t need to eat cake like a normal person, nor do I need to wear clothes when doing it.” I push past her and head into my lounge.

“I brought over some sample pizzas for the new menu, Ms. Sassy Pants, but with that tone, I don’t think you deserve any of them!” She shouts from the kitchen.

“You love my sass, shut up!” I yell back at her, flopping down on my couch and turning Brooklyn 99 on.

“Guess things didn’t go well with Sterling this morning. I saw the throw pillow at the door.” 

Kay giggles, strolling up to me and sitting down.

“I don’t wanna talk about it, okay?” I sigh.
“Obviously.” She lays back on my couch. “Did you get anything done today?”

“Yeah, I proofread a trial transcript and finished proofreading a tedious romance story.” I pretend to gag.

“Sounds riveting, boo,” she says, rubbing the back of my neck. “By the way, where is your phone?”

“I dunno, next to my bed,” I replied dismissively.
“Is it on?”
“Off,” I mumble.
“You do know Laila has been trying to call you all day.” 

SHIT! Laila! My inner voice shouts at me.

I jump up from the couch and run over to my bedside table, grabbing my phone. I quickly turn it on.

“She called the café looking for you. I told her you were okay and that you had probably turned your phone off because you were proofreading!” Kay calls from the couch.

“FUCK!” I shout. “I’m such a shitty friend!” I grumbled, sitting on the edge of my bed, reading Laila’s messages.

“Oh, I love this episode,” Kay giggles out.
“Don’t reassure me, Kay,” My voice, oozing with sarcasm.
“You are a bad friend; she was super worried.” She snaps back.
“Fuck you, Kay,” I shout at her.

“Love you too, boo.” Her words, dripping with sarcasm. “I’m getting chips; want some?” She calls over her shoulder, walking to the kitchen.

“Nah, I’m good,” I reply. “Hey, Kay, Laila is having a book signing next month!” I shout from my bedroom.

“Where at?” She calls back.
“Bound Together Books.”

“Oh, I know that place, it’s super nice, and the book smell is so good!” She says, planting herself back down on my couch

“Book smell?” I giggle at her.

“Shut it! What date is her book signing, you mole?” The sarcasm almost missed between the many chips stuffed in her mouth.

“They haven’t set a date, only a venue, but when they finalise the date, she’ll let us know.” 

“Mmkay,” She mumbles out.

I reply to Laila then quickly check my work emails.

“Nothing new,” I say quietly to myself.

As I’m about to lock my phone and join Kay on the couch, a new message pops up. Without looking, I tap on it, assuming it’s Laila. That’s when I see ‘Sexy Detective’ as the sender. I get a rush of adrenaline and become instantly flushed. 

Jon texted you! My inner voice squeals in excitement.

My eyes dart to Kay sitting on the couch, stuffing her face with chips and mindlessly laughing at Brooklyn 99.

“I’m just gonna go to the loo; I’ll be right back, Kay!” I yell to her as I hurry to my bathroom and shut the door. I slide down the door until I’m sitting on my cold tiles with my knees up, biting the end of my thumb. I re-read the message over and over, and every time, my stomach does flips. I can’t help but smile.

REPLY TO YOU, IDIOT! My inner voice shouts at me.

“Fuck! Right, reply, Camilla,” I say quietly to myself.

 

“I have a date on Saturday,” I say to myself. “Camilla, you have a date this Saturday with Jon.” I begin to squeal and kick my legs like a bloody looney. I can’t contain my excitement. I jump to my feet and open the bathroom door.

“OH MY GOD! KAY! I HAVE A DATE WITH JON THIS SATURDAY!” I shout, running through my bedroom and into my living room.

Kay spits the chips out of her mouth and jumps to her feet.

“HOLY SHIT, BOO!” She shouts, running towards me with her arms open.

We crash into each other in a bear hug. We jump around in circles, giggling and squealing for a full minute before we both stop.

“When did this happen?” She asks, trying to catch her breath.
“Just now in the bathroom,” I puff out.

“HOLY SHIT, CAM!” She starts dancing. “Ma girl is going out with the sexy detective!” She sings while shaking her arse about. I burst out laughing because Kay’s moves look just like Elaine’s, from Seinfeld. 

“Wait, wait, wait…” She stops dancing abruptly. “What are you going to wear?”
“It’s a breakfast date, so maybe a dress?” I shrug.
“Oh, hell no, boo.” She storms past me and towards my closet.

“Where is that cute purple set you brought a while back?” She asks, her head buried in my closet.

“The purple blazer and shorts?” I ask, walking up behind her.

“GOT IT!” She shouts, throwing it on my bed behind me. “Now to find a cute top to put underneath it!” She stands there, hands on her hips, scanning over my tops. She grabs a black business-like button-up shirt and hurls it onto the bed. I turn around and look at what she has put together. It made me nervous.

“Kay,” I say quietly, “I can’t wear that. The shorts are kinda short, and to be honest; it’s not breakfast date material.”

I feel her shove something into my back. I turn around just as she says, “Wear these.”

I manage to grab them before they fall to the floor while Kay pushes past me. I look at them, realising she handed me my black thigh-high boots. I’m instantly horrified.

“KAY! NO!” I protest as I turn to face her. “I can’t! I’ll look like a hooker!” I emphasize the ‘hooker’ part, but I’m met with a hand in the face.

“You’re wearing it,” She says sternly. “The purple shorts with the matching blazer and this black button-up shirt.” She places the shirt inside the blazer before turning and snatching the boots off me and placing them on the floor beneath the outfit. “And the thigh highs will look cute as fuck.” She turns back to me and winks. “Now, hair ideas.” She looks at my hair in utter disgust.

“Kay, it’s next Saturday, not today. You know that, right?” I place my hand on her shoulder. Her gaze narrows at me.

“I know, but you can never be too prepared. This is Jon, Camilla, not Sterling.” She puts her finger down her throat as if to make herself sick. I roll my eyes at her. She can be so overdramatic sometimes.

She darts off into my bathroom, and I give up all hope of stopping her. I walk over to my bed and lay back while she darts around my room. Every time she asks me a question, I just answer with a, “mmhmm”. This kept her happy long enough for me to imagine what it would be like to be on a date with Jon, but the thoughts are fleeting because Sterling creeps in somehow.

Fuck! I think to myself.

“Kay?” I call out, sitting up off my bed.
“What, boo?” Her head pops out of my bathroom door.
“Ummm…” I take a deep breath. “Should I tell Jon about Sterling since we live in the same building?”

Kay steps out and leans against the wall; her face drops; she doesn’t know what to say and that says it all.

“I take that as a no?” I ask quietly.

“I mean,” she sighs. “If it gets serious, you probably should, but not now, Cam, okay?” Her reassuring Kay smile creeps onto her face as she tries to put me at ease. I nod in agreement, but I’m still unsure if keeping it quiet is the best move.

The week flies by, and in that time, Jon has messaged me almost every day, whether it’s to say ‘good morning’ or a ‘how are you today?’ They became the highlight of my day. He somehow became increasingly important to me. The thought of not hearing from him gives me instant anxiety. Kay has disowned me. She was sick of getting endless screenshots of mine and Jon’s sweet daily texting. Yet, she comes over every night and stays, so she can’t hate me that much.

I got a ton of proofreading done, sent off, and ready for publishing. Laila finally finalised a date for her book signing. Kay and I cleared that day to be there, the bonus being there is an epic after-party. Imma eat too much cake and shake my arse.

Kay wouldn’t let me wiggle out of the date outfit, and I also ended up with the hairstyle she chose for me. I did try and fight it, but it wasn’t worth it when she threatened my daily Nutella hot chocolates. Evil witch!

Sterling attempted to talk to, text, and call me a few times, but I’ve shut him down every single time. He got so desperate that he stood at my door, knocking until I opened it. I slammed it in his face before he could even utter a word out of his stupid mouth. He WILL NOT ruin my good mood! I’ll deal with his arse after my date with Jon.

Early Saturday Morning – DATE DAY!

“Okay, DONE!” Kay stands back and looks at me in the mirror.
“Kay, my face looks the same,” I say, leaning forward and taking a closer look in the mirror.

“Is that a tone?” She spits back. “Do I hear a tone after all the hard work I just put into making your face less ugly for your date today?” Her arms are crossed while she shoots daggers at me.

“Fine! I love it.” I sighed out.
“Damn fucking right you do!” The amount of sass this little girl can hurl is unbelievable.
“Am I done, your highness?” I ask in my best Kay impression.

“Let me set your makeup, do one more spray of your hair, and you are good to go, bish,” she replies, grabbing every spray I own and unleashing them on my face and hair. “Now get dressed,” she says in an authoritative tone while dropping the empty cans in the trash and walking out of my bathroom.

I get up and grab my outfit off the hanger in my bathroom. “Okay, time to squeeze my arse into these tiny arse shorts and then boot up,” I say quietly to myself.

A few minutes pass before an inpatient, Kay yells through the bathroom door. “Oh my god! HURRY THE FUCK UP, CAMI”

“Hold you fucking horses! Christ!” I shout back.

That’s your BFF, Camilla, my inner voice says in a sarcastic tone.

I step back and take a quick look at myself in the mirror before sighing and opening the door to an excited Kay sitting on my bed. Her jaw drops, and she stands up, clapping her tiny hands at a million miles an hour.

“You. Look. AMAZING!” Kay beams at me.
“Really?” I ask nervously.

“Are you kidding? YES!” She jumps up from my bed; her face lit up like Christmas. “Now boot up, and let’s get this show on the road.” She winks at me. I walk into my lounge and sit down. Kay follows close behind, leaning against the door frame.

I pull the boots on and zip them up; I can’t help but feel sexy and a little bit powerful. I had forgotten how these boots made me feel.

Maybe Kay was right, I think to myself.

Kay stands there admiring her handy work and isn’t even trying to hide it. I stand up, straighten up my outfit and steady myself in my boots.

“Okay, perfume time!” Kay grabs my little perfume bottle out of my bag. “Turn,” she says, twirling her finger at me.

I slowly turn around as she sprays every inch of my body.

“Now, you’re done! You look and smell divine, boo.” She shoots me a cheeky smirk. “Now, your Nutella hot chocolate is in the kitchen. It’s in a glass, so you don’t ruin your lipstick. In saying that, please lick the glass before drinking from it, okay?” She leans down, picks her bag up, and heads down the hall to my door.

“Wait! Where are you going?” I shout after her.

She turns around, walking backward, “I ain’t hanging around, Camilla. I’ve worked my magic; that’s my cue to leave, babe. Some of us still have to work today.” She blows me a kiss, turns around, and opens my door. “Have fun and text me later!” She calls over her shoulder.

The moment the door closes, my stomach is instantly in knots. I take a few deep breaths, pull my shit together and head into my kitchen. I drink my hot chocolate, careful not to ruin my lipstick. I look at the clock, hoping it’s 9:25, so I can get out of this apartment that’s starting to feel increasingly small.

“Christ, I still have 20 minutes until he’s here,” I sigh out in frustration.

Would it look desperate if I was already outside waiting? I think to myself.

My phone pings in the living room. I put Kays glass in the sink, run into my lounge and grab my phone. Opening the message, I see it’s from Jon; he’s here and waiting outside. 

“Shit, shit, shit,” My tone panicked.

I quickly reply then stuff my phone in my pocket. I hurry over to the side table in the hall, grab my keys, and head for the door.

As I’m closing my door, ready to lock it, the smell of Sterling’s cologne washes over me. My stomach drops instantly.

Oh, Christ, I think to myself.

“Going somewhere, Cami?” He whispers in my ear.

I turn around, and he has me pinned between my door and him.

“What do you want, Sterling?” I sigh.
“You,” He purrs at me.

I roll my eyes at him, then quickly duck under his arm and head for the front doors. He catches up to me and grabs my arm, spinning me around and pushing me up against the door frame.

“Why are you always running from me, Cami.” His eyes narrowed at me.
“I’m not running, Sterling, I’m going on a date, and you’re in my way,” I say in a matter-of-fact way.

“I saw Jon outside our building.” He rolls his eyes. “Is that why you’re dressed like a hooker?” His words are sharp and cold.

“Fuck you, Sterling,” I snarl at him

“If I recall, we already did that, Camilla. I very much enjoyed it, as did you.” He licks his lips, his gaze moving to my mouth. 

My stomach turns; ever since I saw this side of Sterling, my body has become repulsed by him. Hearing him speak to me like that only reminds me of why I won’t ever allow myself to go there again with him. It’s become painfully clear at this moment that whatever we had friendship-wise is over.

“It was a momentary lapse in judgment, Sterling. Believe me; it won’t happen again.”
“It was many, many lapses in judgment, Camilla.” His eyes darkened with lust.
“Okay, we’re done here.” I roll my eyes at him as I attempt to get out of his grasp.

“We’re done when I say we’re done, Cami.” He pushes me back in place. “See, the thing is, Camilla, it annoys me that I have to remind you about our conversation in regards to a certain detective,” he hisses at me.

“It wasn’t a conversation, Sterling. It was more of you telling me who I can and can’t speak to,” I snap back at him.

“It was only one person, Cami, and it seems you didn’t listen,” he says in a condescending tone.

“Well, you didn’t listen when I told you to go to hell,” I spit back at him.

“Ooooff! Cami, how I have missed that sharp tongue. The things I would like it to do,” He purrs at me.

“Get out of my way, Sterling.” My anger grows in intensity with every minute he is close to me.

He leans in, his lips inches from my ear. “Tell me you don’t miss me kissing you here.” His lips brush against the sweet spot in the crook of my neck. I shove him away, and his eyes flash with anger. “Are you trying to make me jealous, Cami? Is that what this little stunt is about?” He hisses at me. “Because I can tell you right now, I won’t tolerate games,” he spits his words at me like venom. 

I see him catch himself, and he immediately regains composure. “I always win, my love. You should know that by now.” He steps back, looking me up and down before smirking. “Off you go, darling,” he says sarcastically as he gestures towards the doors. I walk past him, and as I do, he says, “have fun, and I’ll see you later, beautiful.” He pecks the back of my head, and I whip around immediately.

“Don’t you ever touch me again, Sterling, do you hear me?” I yell at him as he strolls up the stairs, stopping at the top and winking before disappearing down the hall. I pull the finger at him like a child that just got into trouble and wants the last word. I had to do something to stop myself from following him up the stairs and slapping him.

“FUCK FACE!” I breathe out through gritted teeth.

Don’t let him get to you, Camilla. My inner voice says to me.

You’re right! I think to myself.

I take a few deep breaths and collect my thoughts before turning around and peeking out the window of the apartment doors. It’s then that I see Jon leaning on a gorgeous black mustang, looking so unbelievably handsome. His gaze meets mine, and a smile spreads across his beautiful face. Any anger I still had instantly left my body. He takes a few steps forwards as I make quick work of opening the door.

“You got this, Cam,” I say quietly to myself as the sunlight hits my face.