Aim to Please (wlw)

ch. 26. aim to please

There's nothing quite like a gloomy Sunday in the winter time.

Laurie and I were curled up in our bed, hot coffee sat on each beside table, books in hand. I lounged with my head in her lap while she gently scratched my stomach. We were both homebodies after our work weeks, craving time spent alone together much more than going out to bars or crowded dinner venues. 

Thus, we rarely made plans. Our friends were more than understanding towards our introverted qualities. But, there would eventually come a time where we were offered and obligated to go out. 

"We have to get ready," Laurie said with a deep sigh. "We promised."

I shook my head fervently. "No."

"Mackenzie," she scolded, flicking my nose. "We must."

With a hard huff and a pout, I flung myself off of her lap and into a standing position. The 'two weeks ago' us decided that going out to dinner the night before NYFW's inception was a phenomenal idea. In a rare occurrence, both Mrs. and Mr. LeBlanc would both be attending. I groaned and slumped my shoulders.

"I'm not wearing anything that's too hard to take off," I relented, cutting her a glare.

She grinned cheekily in response. "I could always help you take---"

I rolled my eyes and quieted her with a kiss. She giggled into it, attempting to grab my hips and pull me back into bed. We struggled against each other for a few minutes before I was finally able to break away, jogging into our bathroom panting and smiling. 

This was an attempt on Antoinette's part to ease our anxieties before our runway. The idea of a mere 10 minutes--- at MOST--- of being in the public eye was petrifying to me. My mind wandered to the first time I modeled, Laurie standing proudly at the end of the runway. But my visions were soon clouded by glimpses of Zoe, chattering and gossiping with the people beside her. It made me feel dirty.

But tonight was about us. That vile mistake I made in the past could stay there, at least for one evening. 

I slipped into a black A-line dress and knee-high boots. With a simple winter coat, I was ready to go. The sooner we left, the sooner we would get home! Back to our lazy, comfortable, safe space.

"Mmm, mon cheri," Laurie groaned, squeezing my hips and pulling my ass back towards her. "You look edible. Maybe we should cancel..."

"We have to get ready, we promised," I mocked, bumping her with my hip. 

"Fuck them."

"Who's the impatient one now?" I shot back, wiggling my eyebrows. 

Laurie let go of my hips and threw her arms up in the air in surrender. Damn right. 

•

"Oh, Antoinette! Our lovebirds have arrived! What a lucky man I am, having dinner with three intelligent and beautiful women," Jacques boasted proudly. 

Antoinette shook her head at his theatrics and gave us each a hug and peck on the cheek. "It has been too long."

Laurie smiled sheepishly at Jacques. "Désolée, mon ami."

Mr. LeBlanc guffawed, dismissing her with a flick of his wrist. He looped his arm through his wife's and led us towards the inside of the restaurant. It was a fancy French boucherie, and when we received the menus, I gawked at all the prices. 

"Honey---" I began, squeezing Laurie's thigh.

"At-at," Ant fussed, pointing her salad fork towards me. "It is on us, ma belle biche."