Perfect Strangers

8| Little black dress

Chapter 8: Little black dress (Carter's POV)

I walked back into my house, tossing my bag on the floor only for my dad to show up, glaring at me. "Okay," I put my hands up in surrender before picking it up. It was Friday afternoon. Tonight is the party. "Dad, why aren't you hosting this at some hotel so that I can escape halfway through the party?" I asked while looking around at the place being set up. 

"I'm doing it here so that you can't escape halfway through, go on and get ready," he said while glancing at the time. 

"Already? Party starts at eight. It's four-thirty," I huffed. 

"Then make sure you're ready by eight," he said before going to give orders regarding the chandelier. 

I rolled my eyes before going up to my room, tossing my bag in the corner and then going back down. "I'm going to the cafe, I'll be back soon," I said before slipping out. I walked to the cafe as usual because I only like driving when I feel like it and when it comes to the cafe, I never feel like it. 

I walked in there and took a seat, deciding not to order. I was just sitting there, watching the traffic, watching the people, the baristas, the waiters and waitresses when the door opened. 

She seemed like she was in a rush. "Iced tea, please." She also seemed out of breath. She hadn't noticed me yet, she was more focused on her hand that was tapping restlessly against the counter. 

Katy wasn't working the counter today. It was some other guy. "You all right?" he chuckled. 

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just in a rush," she said while looking outside. 

"What's up?" he asked. 

Yes, I'm eavesdropping. 

"I have a dress to pick up and the place is closing in twenty minutes tonight because the owner's daughter has gone into labor," she rambled. 

"A dress?" he asked. 

"I sent it to get dry cleaned this morning," she answered while he handed her the iced tea. It was probably for tonight. She could have just worn a different dress. "Thanks, Asher." She tossed some money in the tip jar and ran out, only to come back moments later because she forgot a straw. 

He held it out for her and she took it while laughing. 

"Thanks," she chuckled. 

"You're welcome, Alex," he grinned. 

She ripped the straw open with her teeth and threw the wrapper in the trash before running out while sipping on her iced tea. She looked left, then right, and then dashed across the street when the lights turned red and ran along. 

She should have hailed a taxi. 

I watched as the guy continued grinning as he flirted with the next girl, and the next, and the one after that too. 

I left around forty-five minutes later and headed back home. On my way out, I saw her again. She was running back to this side of the street with a dress in her hands in a plastic cover. 

A dress that seemed taller and longer than her. 

To be fair, she herself is tiny. 

She ran across when the walking sign turned green and stopped at this side, panting. 

"You are very unfit," I commented. 

She seemed to get startled while she leaned against a street light. "Thanks," she said sarcastically.