ONCE MORE, WITH YOU

XXI

Solené Beckett

Today is the day. I'm finally taking Summer out on a date. I managed to book us dinner at Halcyon, an upscale and serene seafood restaurant known for its impeccable atmosphere.

It's 6 p.m., and I just stepped out of the shower, ready to start getting dressed. After drying off with a towel, I applied lotion to my skin, followed by deodorant. I slipped on my undergarments, then slid into my outfit for the evening: a black dress with an open back, paired with sheer black stockings and knee-high black boots. The all-black ensemble felt sleek, modern, and fitting for the night ahead.

At my vanity, I worked on my hair, straightening it to perfection before doing a full face of makeup. I opted for a semi-matte finish, adding a soft contour to enhance my cheekbones, nose, and jawline. A subtle highlight graced the high points of my face, and I carefully filled in the ends of my brows for a natural yet polished look. My lash extensions created a dramatic, cat-eye effect, while a lightly overlined lip with a rich, glossy nude lipstick complemented my skin tone.

Satisfied with how I looked, I smiled at my reflection. It had been a while since I'd done a full face of makeup, but I was happy with the results. Realizing it was nearly 7 p.m., I grabbed my black wool trench coat and my Louis Vuitton Nice Mini bag before heading downstairs.

I sent Summer a quick text letting her know I was on my way before grabbing the keys to my Range Rover. As I drove to her place, I couldn't help but overthink, as I often do. I wanted tonight to be perfect.

When I arrived, I stepped out of the car and walked up to her door, giving it two firm knocks. The crisp Chicago wind blew my hair into my lip gloss, and I quickly tucked it behind my ears, annoyed but smiling at the absurdity of the moment.

Seconds later, the door opened, and there stood Summer. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to leave you out in the cold," she said breathlessly. "I was just slipping on my heels—" Her words trailed off as her eyes scanned my outfit, and I took the opportunity to admire hers.

She wore a long-sleeved red dress with zebra-print stripes that reached the floor. The bold design gave it personality, and her Christian Louboutin stilettos only added to the look. Her slicked-back bun highlighted her sharp, elegant features, and gold stud earrings and rings complemented her gold clutch. Her makeup was understated but striking: a smoky eye, light blush, and slightly tinted lips in a soft pinkish hue.

"You look beautiful, Summer," I said, stepping inside and closing the door behind me.

"And you look absolutely gorgeous," she replied, her gaze lingering on me. "So beautiful, baby." She wrapped her arms around my waist and pulled me close. Her perfume enveloped me, and for a moment, I was lost in her scent.

Blushing, I smiled. "Thank you, pretty," I said, pressing a fleeting kiss to her lips. "Are you almost ready?"

"Yes," she said coyly, "but I wouldn't mind being late. I assume you can make other arrangements, no?" Her hands trailed up to the back of my neck, her touch warm and inviting.

Raising an eyebrow, I chuckled, "As much as I'd love to take you up on that offer, we can't."

She rolled her eyes and pushed my coat off my shoulders, smirking. "And why not?"

I leaned in, pulling her close. "Don't start something you can't finish," I teased.

"Says who?" she challenged.

Before she could say more, I kissed her deeply, her lips soft against mine. Her hands cupped my face, pulling me closer. My hand trailed down to her waist, then lower, giving her a firm squeeze, eliciting a gasp. Taking the opportunity, I deepened the kiss, but quickly pulled away before it went any further.