LANA MASON
"So what's the vibe?" Maya asks. "I mean, red, obviously. Right?"
"Red lace," I nod. "Can't go wrong."
"True," she frowns in thought and raises a red lace bodysuit to inspect. "What do you think?"
All I need to do is glance at it. "I think Zayn wants to see more skin."
"Good call," she places the hanger back on the rack and we keep searching.
This is the first time I've ever had a boyfriend on Valentine's Day before, and despite my disdain for the holiday, I can't wait to celebrate with Harry tonight. For some reason, I volunteered to do the cooking so he could come home to a meal rather than having to come home and whip something together after he had already been cooking all night. I'm keeping the menu simple, but the only thing that won't be made from scratch is the pasta and bread.
"Wait, what about this one?" I lift a deep red balconette bra with soft frilly floral lace on the cups and a matching thong. "It's kind of simple but pretty, right?"
"Yeah, I think that's the one," Maya confirms.
"Is stockings and garters too much?"
"Absolutely not," I chuckle. "Go all out and really surprise him."
She starts to smile as if she's picturing his reaction before she decides to purchase the set. We get in line behind two other girls who seem to be buying Valentine's-themed underwear as well, and I think it's funny how late to the game we all are. It's 6:00 in the evening already, but I didn't even realize today was Valentine's Day until Harry reminded me last night before we went to bed. He told me he has a surprise for me, and I'm honestly hoping it's sex-related. Usually, I'd be pissed if a guy told me my gift was sex, but not with Harry. If that's all he ever gifted me for the rest of our time together, that would be fine.
"So you're meeting Zayn out by his place?" I ask Maya as we pay for our lingerie.
"Yeah, he said there's this spot he got a late reservation for and I've never heard of it, which is surprising all on its own."
"Must be pretty exclusive," I smile to myself, knowing that's probably exactly why Zayn chose some fancy mystery restaurant for her.
"Can I tell you something that I haven't told anyone yet?"
I make a double-take at her as we step outside of the store and onto the sidewalk in SoHo. "What?"
"I know that we've only been dating since last summer, but I swear I'm going to marry him, Lana."
My brows raise as I wait for her to laugh and tell me she's kidding. Her whole life, she swore she was going to marry a Wall Street finance guy who could buy her a penthouse like the one she lives in now, and she wanted someone who would casually surprise her with Dior bags and Manolo shoes just because it was Wednesday. I know she's been obsessed with Zayn since the start, but I was kind of holding my breath this whole time, waiting for her to realize she was done messing around with someone she didn't intend to marry.
"Seriously?"
She nods without hesitation. "He makes me so happy and I can't imagine being with anyone else. I love everything about him and everything about our relationship and I don't care that he barely makes $100K. I'm so in love with him that it makes me sick."
"Maya!" I giggle at the way she says that last word through clenched teeth. "I'm so happy for you, this is a great thing."
"It's a fucking terrifying thing," she mumbles back. "Sometimes I feel like...I don't know."
