Page 44 of This Time Around

“If you’d like, I can help you find the perfect piece,” she offers with a warm smile.

“Oh, it’s ok. I’m sure you need to find what you are looking for,” I respond, returning the warm smile.

She puts her hand out and shakes mine. “I’m Lily. Welcome to Lily’s Lace Parlour.”

I cough. “You own this shop? It’s beautiful.”

“You seem surprised, dear.”

“No, I um… Well, a little,” I respond shyly, slightly ashamed of my surprise.

“Oh dear, trust me, you’re not the only one. Most people get uncomfortable with someone resembling their grandmother helping them pick intimates, but trust me, I have the experience you need to select just the right set,” she suggests with a wink. “So, what are you looking for?”

Taken aback by her candid demeanor and bright smile, I tap into her expertise. “Well, my boyfriend is taking me away for the night to a surprise location. I wanted to get him something special in return.”

“Oh, my favorite occasion-spontaneity. Tell me a bit about him, about the two of you,” she insists.

“Well, we have known each other for many years, but just started dating. He’s my best friend’s older brother. He’s quite a bit older than me, so I want something sure to catch his attention. I’m sure he’s seen quite a few pieces of lingerie before.”

“How much older? What’s his age?” she asks with a quizzical look.

“He’s 38,” I answer.

“Oh, late 30s are my favorite age. They are sophisticated, charming, and have enough experience to to take exactly what they want. But, not to the age where help is necessary.” She punctuates her words with a playful wink. “What do you like and dislike the most about intimate wear, dear?”

I ponder on this for a second before I respond, “It’s beautiful, and in most cases, lace and rich colors can enhance features perfectly. You know, making men go crazy, but I have a hard time finding pieces to flatter my build. All my curves are outside of the lingerie zone, so I never feel sexy.”

“I know just the set,” she announces with a little pep in her step and a small chuckle.

“This,” she hands me an emerald green set. “The balconette style top creates just enough lift and volume without overwhelming the chest. Oh, and these high-waisted, cheeky bottoms help create the illusion of length between the hips and thighs, plus they show off a little tush, and by the looks of it, you have a good one.” She winks.

I take the delicate set in my hands and walk into the dressing room.

After adjusting the straps, I turn around in awe of the sight in the mirror. The dark shade of emerald enhances the ember hues of my hair as they cascade over the delicate lace patterns lightly covering the peak of my nipples, with them slightly peeking through the thin veil of the fabric. The high waist cut of the bottoms does just as Lily promised, accentuating the length of my legs, creating a space between them and my hips, showing a sensual curve of the globes of my ass. I have never felt sexier.

More than happy with what she pulled for me, I get dressed and meet Lily at the register, promising another return.

“You made me fall in love with lingerie, and with myself in it,” I say to Lily as she places my purchase in a dainty pink box adorned with a black lace ribbon.

She scurries around the corner and gives me a tight grandmother, like hug when I hear the bells over the door ding.

I finish talking to Lily and turn to see April at the back of the store, looking at the intimate sets where I just was. A knot forms in my stomach and instead of rushing over to her like I usually would, I quickly turn and scurry out the door before she spots me. I’m not sure seeing me buy lingerie for her brother is something she’d appreciate at the moment.

But as I step into the cool night air, that knot doesn’t loosen, it only tightens, like I’m running from something I should be ready to face.

Luke

Blake has been quiet for the entire drive. I’m guessing she has a lot on her mind with the opening of the bar quickly approaching. Talking isn’t high on my list right now, either. I went to lunch with my sister today, like we often do. I tried to broach the conversation of Blake and I. It was not great, she is so reluctant to let the idea of us in, even though I have told her time and time again, she would never lose either of us.

I can’t wait to get Blake away for the night, to be alone with her, under the stars, back to where we first let ourselves entertain the idea of us.

As if she is just now breaking the fog of her inner dialogue, she looks around and marvels at the view surrounding us. The rolling hill and plush landscape, a tapestry of various shades of green and yellow. The end of summer, just before fall, in Vermont is my favorite. Especially with Blake by my side, usually wearing little clothing because of the warm temperatures.

“This road looks familiar. Have I been up here before?” Just as she asks, we pass a thick wall of trees to the clearing we occupied not too long ago.

“Luke, is this where we came camping?” She puts her hands in the air in excitement.

“Nevermind, it is. I burned the landscape over there into my memory when I avoided eye contact with you after you saw me fucking a vibrator in my tent.” She laughs, pointing straight ahead at another line of trees.