Choose Me

Chapter 5

"I got a job," Dexter says excitedly as soon as he steps foot in the apartment. I jump off the couch and meet him at the door and hug him.

"Congrats! I'm so happy for you. When do you start?" I ask him, stepping away from him.

"Next week."

"We have to celebrate."

"No, that's not necessary."

"It is," I insist. "Let me shower and get all dolled up and I'll take you out for a night on the town," I tell him with a wink. "I would invite Elsie but she's working so it will just have to be us two. I hope you don't mind my company too much."

"You know I don't but seriously, you don't have to do this."

"I'm taking you out and that's that."

"Okay, well I need to shower and change too."

"I'll go first so I can get ready while you shower."

"Or we could shower together..." he suggests playfully and I smack his chest.

"No, now down boy," I say to the front of his pants and he chuckles.

"Go take a shower before I join you," he says and I roll my eyes.

"You wish," I reply and sashay my hips as I walk away from him.

***

"You look gorgeous," Dexter compliments me as soon as I step out of my room.

"Thanks," I say and twirl for him before walking up to where he's sitting on the couch. "Ready?"

"Never been more ready in my life," he says and stands up, so he's towering over me. He reaches for my hair and runs his hand over a stray curl and tucks it back into place. "I'm glad you're wearing your hair curly again. It looks good on you," he says and I feel my damn cheeks blush.

Damn you traitorous cheeks.

"I figured it was time I embrace my natural curls," I say with a shrug and he smiles, knowing full well he's the one who planted the idea in my stupid head. Maybe I should have straightened it again so he doesn't go getting any ideas.

"Well, I hope you keep wearing your hair like this. It's part of what makes you unique and beautiful," he says, taking in my wild curls that reach my butt.

"I might if I don't tire of it first," I say honestly. I've always struggled with loving my hair and my body because it's what made me stand out and get picked on when I was growing up. One day I just got tired of it and started straightening my hair and people left me alone, at least at first. But then I gained more and more weight the older I got and became heavyset and curvier than most of the girls in my class and the bullying started again. It was a never-ending chain that made my life miserable throughout middle school and high school. Thankfully I had Elsie to lean on during that time. If it wasn't for her, I think I would have eventually dropped out.

I'm strong but a girl can only take so much.

"Are you okay?" Dexter asks me concerned and I nod.

"Never been better," I say with a smile and put my past behind me where it belongs and focus on Dexter who deserves my undivided attention. "Let's go," I say giddily, looking forward to surprising Dexter with a nice meal.

I take Dexter to a steakhouse I only visit for special occasions because it's pricey as fuck and very fancy-schmancy but tonight calls for a big celebration so I had to bring him to the best steakhouse in Newport Beach, California. It's going to cost me a pretty penny but I don't care. I want Dexter to leave this place feeling like a king.