Page 37 of Semantics

“I’m good. I’ll just shower at home. I have all my stuff there.”

“Your expensive soaps and lotions?”

Violet picked up her pants and underwear and replied, “Yes, exactly.” She gave Stella an expression that told her that she was only kidding. “And don’t forget my hundred-dollar shampoo that’s only three ounces.”

“You really have–”

“No, of course not.”

Violet laughed and slipped into her ruined panties and added her pants right after, buttoning and zipping them up.

“You wore a business suit to the bar,” Stella said with a little laugh. “Why?”

“I don’t know. It felt right.”

Violet found her bra and picked it up, clasping it behind her back immediately after.

“It looked right, too. And I loved taking it off you, but you do remember that you tore the buttons off that shirt, right?”

Stella pointed to the shirt that Violet had just picked up.

“Fuck,” she said.

“It’s hot when you curse, so if you don’t want me to take you on that floor again, you have to stop.” Stella stood, walked over to her, and took the shirt from Violet’s hand. “You can borrow one of mine.”

“For the record, you’re the one who ruined my shirt.”

“No. You pushed me away when I had my hand inside it. You’re the reason the buttons are currently on a sidewalk outside of Buddy’s. Admit that, and I’ll give you a new shirt to wear.”

“And if I don’t?” Violet asked with a little smile.

“You can drive home in your cute business suit jacket that has no buttons on it and hope no one notices that you’re only in a bra underneath it. Actually, can you just do that? I’d like to picture you doing that.”

Violet laughed and waited for Stella to grab her a new shirt, but Stella didn’t move.

“Okay. Fine. I ruined my own shirt,” she said.

“There we go. That wasn’t so hard, was it?” Stella teased.

Then, she walked to her drawer, pulled it open, quickly grabbed a shirt, and she more threw than tossed it to Violet, who had to react fast to catch it.

“This is a T-shirt,” Violet noted.

“So?”

“I need a real shirt.”

“What qualifies as a real shirt, Vi? It covers your upper body. Shirt.” She motioned to Violet, who was still standing there in only her bra. “You’re going home to change anyway.”

“Fine.” Violet pulled the shirt over her head. “Happy?”

“No, I like you better naked, but it’s whatever. I need to hop in the shower. I’ll walk you out first.”

“You’re naked.”

“To the door, not outside.” Stella chuckled.

“I remember where the door is. I’ll be okay. Where is my purse, though? Shit. Where is my phone?”