"Good for you," I told her.

"He said he wouldn't stop trying to get into my pants until I let him, and after he got in them, he wouldn't be leaving them."

"Ha-ha. Wait-does that mean he's your boyfriend?" I asked.

"I don't know. I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

The front door opened again, and this time Lili came into the room. She was just as stunned by Sheri in a pair of jeans as Alys had been. Demanding to see all of Sheri's new clothes, Lili pawed through each item like a vicious little fashion Chihuahua.

In the end, Sheri got the Lili Seal of Approval.

How in all hell can I be this nervous?

Phil was picking me up in twenty minutes, and he wouldn't tell me anything else.

At five thirty, Sheri made me start getting ready. That gave me about two hours.

Who the fuck takes two hours?

I was scrubbed, shaved, and perfumed before putting on a lacy bra and underwear in a pale apple-green color.

Sheri planted my barely covered ass on a stool in my bathroom. She started creating a soft hairstyle with tiny braids to wind and secure a fancy knot that rested low and to the left of my head so that my hair draped over my shoulder and breast.

"You've got an amazing figure, Kenna," she told me. "You look so strong and muscular but not in a bulky kind of way, you know?"

"Years of yoga," I replied. "I find it's easier to work when my body is strong and warmed up."

"I wish I looked like that," she sighed.

"You can. Start doing yoga or any sort of exercise really."

"Do you...do you think you would feel up to helping me a little?"

"Sure," I told her. "I do most of my workout in the morning. Sometimes, after work, I'll have a session to de-stress. If you want to wake up early and join me, I'd be happy to help you. But I will suggest a diet to build muscle and add some weight."

She nodded. "I'd really like that."

Lili insisted she do my makeup.

"Phil likes a light hand," I told her. "None of that heavy smoky-eye shit."

After demanding to see the dress, Lili gave me a smoky-eye look-she's a brat-in a shimmery light green with a dark brown bit of eyeliner and mascara. I had to admit that she had done a fantastic job. We both got what we'd wanted-a light-handed look with a bit of evening glam.

After the hair and makeup, I slipped into the fabulous dress and heels, and my friends made me feel like a million bucks.

So, now, with five minutes to go, I was nervous as all hell, and my hands were starting to sweat.

Awesome.

A heavy knock came from the front door, and I looked at my friends.

"How do I look?"

"Amazing," sighed Sheri.

"Fantastic," said Alys.

"Gigantic," replied Lili dryly.

"Sweet," I said.

I made my way downstairs. The three of them followed me and waited on the steps as I reached the front door. Looking back over my shoulder, they all smiled at me, and Lili gave me a thumbs-up.

I turned the handle and opened the door a crack just to peek out.

Well, hot damn!

Phil looked fucking gorgeous. Clean shaven, his sharp angular features and full-sculpted lips were out in all their glory. He still had his signature sideburns going on though. His hair was pulled back into its usual knot. He looked so handsome in a short-sleeved black button-down shirt, opened at the collar, with a loosely knotted black tie. He was wearing a pair of-Holy shit! No way!-form-fitting dark boot-cut jeans, a black leather belt with a skull and crossbones buckle, and patent-leather black shitkicker boots.

He was so beautiful that my heart raced, and my knees shook. I was in danger of hitting the floor.

By the gods! I'm going out on a date with my lifelong crush!

"You look beautiful," I told him breathlessly through the crack.

"Baby Girrrl," he purred in his warning tone, reaching for the handle.

I let go of it, so he could slowly pull it open.

Phil's deep-set eyes widened in shock...or awe. I wasn't too sure which. His breath caught in his chest. If looks could ignite clothing, I'd be standing on my front porch without a stitch on me.

"Oh, fuck me running," he whispered. "Baby Girl..."

Phil's breathing was rapid and shallow, and his eyes...

Damn it. I've creamed my panties, and I haven't even left the house!

"Phil?"

"Yeah?" he breathed.

Absolutely flattered by his reaction and perhaps a little alarmed as well, I asked, "Are you okay?"

"No," he replied, shaking his head for a bit of emphasis.

"Wh-what?"

He sucked in a deep breath. "Oh God. You're fuckin' breathtakin'."

That sounded so wonderful in his voice, and my face split into a huge smile. "Thanks. So are you."

He just continued to stare at me.

"Jeez, are you guys going to leave or just stand at the door, complimenting each other all night?" Lili's snarky remark floated down from the stairs.

Grinning like an idiot, I turned to see all three of them beaming back at me. Phil took that moment to snake his tattooed long arm around my waist, and he pulled me out of the house.

"'Bye!" I called out right before he thrust the door shut.

His mouth swooped down and captured mine in a raw lust-filled kiss, his tongue pushing into my mouth, demanding entrance. His arms crushed me to him, pressing our full lengths together. His groin stirred, pressing into my lower belly.

He groaned, "God, I just wanna take you home and-"

"Don't you dare!" I said, laughing. "I got dressed up and everything for you."

"I know! I know!" He laughed. "You look so beautiful. I won't be able to keep my hands off of you. I might not even be able to eat-"

"Uh-oh. Maybe I should go put on a pair of jeans then," I joked.

"I'll fuckin' spank you," he growled before taking possession of my mouth again. "Fuck, Kenna," he breathed heavily. "You drive me fuckin' insane. I can't fuckin' think straight."

"I can still put on some jeans, if that'll help."

"Get your ass in the car," he snapped, swatting said ass as I turned toward the Charger.

He walked me to the passenger side and opened the door for me, like the true Southern gent he was.

When he got in, we looked at one another and grinned in the same goofy sort of way.

After all this time, after everything that had brought us together and kept us apart and brought us together again, after years of heartache and loneliness and gods knew what else, here we were, dressed up and going out on our very first date.

"Long time comin', eh, Baby Girl?"

"Something like that," I replied, smiling. Then, because I was dying of curiosity, I asked, "What's with your pants?"

He scowled. "Sheri got them for me today. She said if I was makin' you wear somethin' nice, I had to, too."

"It's only fair," I told him.

"Tell that to my dick," he grumped as he backed the Charger out of the driveway.

I gave Phil's crotch a loving glance and whispered to it, "I'll make it up to you later."

The drive into the city was sweetly relaxed.

New Orleans in the evening was beautiful. It was still warm but not like during the day when the heat could be nearly unbearable. I was actually feeling quite comfortable in my silky dress and pumps, which brought me to a whopping six-three. But with Phil as my date, I felt like...a lady.

After locating the bistro where we had reservations, Phil opened the door for me.

"I had no idea where to take you or what we should do," he confessed with a shy smile, his dark eyes twinkling.

I felt giddy. "Really? How did you find this place then?"

His shy smile turned into the Lady Killer, and my uterus danced a jig.

"I called my dad."

Inside, designed to appear a little on the rustic side, the low lighting gave off a romantic ambience. It looked cozy.

The hostess at her podium received a full blast of the Lady Killer, complete with dimples, as he turned to face her. I watched as her jaw went slack, and her eyes widened. I was pretty sure she crossed her legs, too, and I had to bite the inside of my cheeks to keep from snorting out a laugh.

"Hi," said Phil in a sex-inspiring soft, deep voice. "Deveraux, table for two. We have reservations."

She might be going cross-eyed as well.

"Sorry?" she replied, a bit breathless.

"Deveraux? Table for two?" he asked, his voice still on the hushed side.

"O-oh." She took a look at the list in front of her. "Y-yes, for eight o'clock."

"Uh, yeah," he agreed, turning to look at me with an arched eyebrow. "Are we early?"

"N-no...no," stammered the hostess, trying to calm her nerves. Taking a deep breath, she gave him a weird sort of smile. "Let me just go and check that the table is ready for you."

"Okay," he said in an undertone.

She scurried off.

Unable to hold it in any longer, I busted out laughing. It was unavoidable. That whole situation had been fucking hilarious.

Phil looked at me as if maybe I had lost it. "What the hell was that?"

I snickered, "A young woman suffering a crisis from just looking at you."

"A crisis?"

"An orgasm."

"Shut the fuck up," he scowled.

"Do you honestly have no clue of your effect on women, Phil?"

His answer was a blank stare.

"She probably also knows who you are," I informed him. "I don't know if you know this, but in certain circles, you're kinda famous."

He grunted, "Yeah, maybe."