Page 33 of The Virgin Romance Novelist Chronicles
He turned around and held out his hand. I took it with mine and let him pull me closer. He lifted my chin and said, “Seriously, you took my breath away when I saw you, Rosie. I’m sure Atticus is head over heels infatuated with you already.”
“Thank you,” I replied, not knowing what else to say. Wanting to change the subject, I stopped sweating in my best friend’s arms and asked, “Did you see him?”
A small frown marred Henry’s face for a second before he answered, “Not yet, but I will be sure to give you my rating later tonight, and if he starts to get handsy, you can bet that pretty little butt of yours that I’ll be stepping in.”
“Don’t you dare.”
“Can’t help it. I’m protective.”
“Is that why you came here?” I asked as we exited the bathroom, avoiding sneers from the women in the long line, waiting for the “one holer.” “To spy on me, make sure Atticus wasn’t getting handsy?”
“If I said yes, would you be mad at me?”
“You’re impossible.” I shook my head and stepped away. “I’ll be fine, Henry, but thank you for your concern—”
“Henry.” The shrill voice came from the side of the room as a blonde Jessica Rabbit came strolling up to Henry. Her breasts looked like they were going to fall out of her dress at any moment, and her voice rivaled that of Fran Dresher’s. “There ya are. I’d been lookin’ all over for ya,” she said while chewing what seemed like a baseball-sized wad of gum.
I cringed from the heavy accent coming from the eloquent-looking lady, sans breasts.
“Just helping out my best friend here,” he said, blatantly staring at her breasts. Some people never changed. She noticed his perusal and puffed her chest out some more.
“Nice to meet you,” I said, lying since I actually didn’t meet her. I turned to Henry who was able to take his eyes off his date’s nippleloons for more than two seconds. “Have a good night, Henry. I’ll talk to you later.”
He pulled me into a hug and whispered in my ear, “I’m here for you if you need anything.”
“I’ll be fine. Enjoy your friend and her giant moo-moo mammies.”
Chuckling softly, he hugged me tightly and pulled away, giving me that little wink of his.
I headed back to my booth full of energy. I had a date to attend to. Part of me was surprised Henry had come tonight, but I could also acknowledge that knowing he had my back gave me comfort too.But what’s with all the extra-tight hugs and winking?
As I approached the table, Jenny gave me a look of utter confusion as she stared at me. Atticus came up beside me and said, “Are you ready to dance?” I was but the look Jenny gave me was concerning, so I told Atticus to wait one second and beckoned Jenny over. Thankfully, she was already on her way to talk to me.
“What’s going on?” I asked in a hushed tone.
“You’re smoking.”
“Oh, why thank you.” I accepted her compliment, brushing my hands down my side. “But why are you giving me a weird look.”
“No, I mean you’re smoking.”
I leaned close, “What are you talking about?”
“Every time you move, there is this cloud of smoke coming out from under your dress.”
“Cloud of smoke? Are you high?”
“Is your vagina high? Because it’s smoking something under that dress of yours.”
“Jenny, you’re losing it . . .” As I said the words, her accusation clicked in my head just as Atticus grabbed my hand.
“I love this song, come on.”
He pulled me out on the dance floor as a trail of puffed baby powder followed in our wake.
Oh God no.
This can’t be happening.
