Chapter 4 4

Taylor and I grabbed an Uber ride back to my place, eager to revamp my wardrobe. Despite being a virgin, it wasn't an excuse to have my kind of clothes collection. Taylor had challenged me to step out of my comfort zone since I had been playing it safe in my fashion choices. My wardrobe had broadcasted that I was not very experienced romantically, and that had to change. Amid the sea of short gathered dresses, a deep red one with a sultry side slit caught Taylor's eye.

"Oh yes, that's the one!" she exclaimed. "But we need to get your makeup just right too," she added, showing off the makeup bag she'd brought.

"Keep it subtle, though," I advised.

I slipped into the dress, which had a tantalizing low cleavage line.

Taylor examined my décolletage. "I'd say no push-up bra. We don't want him getting too handsy too quickly. Now, have a seat."

I complied and joined her on my messy bed. Then, the debate moved to shoe color. "Black seems too dark, right?" I questioned.

A smoky eye pairs perfectly with the dress." Her touch felt like a soothing spa facial as she expertly applied the make-up.

"Wow," I whispered, in awe of the transformation.

"You're going to turn heads tonight," Taylor said. After finishing my eye makeup, she directed me to the bathroom, where I was greeted by my own reflection. My skin was flawless, the makeup had hidden imperfections, and my lips looked plump. The smoky eye makeup added a mesmerizing depth to my eyes. I was beyond thrilled with the result.

"Whoa!" I gasped.

"Uh-huh, say it again," Taylor urged.

"Whoa!"

"Let your hair down for the full effect."

I untied my hair, and it cascaded down in long, finger-wave curls. "Oh, damn!"

"You look like a snack; it's got me reconsidering my relationship with Tricia," Taylor teased.

I burst into laughter. "Is she coming tonight?"

"Yeah, she's meeting us there. Now, text him!" Taylor instructed.

I grabbed my phone and sent a message to the man from Tinder, the one with a good personality and good looks. Me: "Hey, Matt, are you busy tonight?" As we slipped into our shoes and dangling earrings, my phone chimed with Matt's reply:

"Hey pretty, I don't have any plans tonight. What do you have in mind?"

I responded, "I'm going to the club with my friend."

"Cool, that sounds good. Mind if I tag along?"

"Sure."

"Am I moving too fast?" I questioned Taylor, feeling a bit uneasy.

"Hey, you're not moving too fast. You're just nervous about putting yourself out there. You have to do it if you want to meet someone special. You can't just sext forever, you know? Think of this as practice to bagging your rich guy."

"Please stop pushing that," I protested.

"Never, you want him. I'm not letting go of that idea."

"I'm going to stand over here," I said as I walked away from her playful banter.

"Sorry, sorry!" Taylor quickly wrapped her arm around my neck in a hug and released me. "I'll drop it."

"Good," I replied, stopping in place to pry her arms from around my neck.

I can't stay on an app all my life and wonder where my dream guy is. I have to go out. It's a big step, but it has to be done. We walk down the street to a nightclub lit up purple and red on the outside.

The line is long, but it seems to be moving rather quickly. I spy Tricia in a glittery blue dress with her black hair in a half-up, half-down style. She is beyond pretty; she reminds me of the actress Megan Fox. I always wondered if she ever tried to model. I'm sure she has an Instagram that's blowing up. "Hi, baby." Taylor tiptoes to smooch her; she's the short one in the relationship.

"Hi, hon, you look tasty."

"I know; you'll see how good I taste later." Taylor flirts.

"Hmm mm, I can't wait." Tricia looks at me and double-takes. "Emily is that you?!"

"Yep." I twist my waist like a schoolgirl.

"No way."

"Yes, way. She leveled up, right?" Taylor cheeses.

Just as we were having silly girl teasers we were approached by Matt, who I had described my dress to earlier on the phone,

"Who's this?" Taylor asked in complete confusion.

"It's him," I whispered to Taylor, who adjusted my hair and turned me around. Matt had dirty blonde hair tucked behind his ears, and he sported an attractive black outfit.

"Hey, I'm Taylor, her bestie," Taylor introduced herself to him before heading away.

"Hi," Matt greeted them before focusing on me.

"Hi," I replied, staring up at his dimpled cheeks and thick lips.

"You look great. I'm shocked I wasn't catfished."

"Oh, don't even get me started on that," I grumbled.

"Uh oh, you're a victim too?" Matt chuckled.

"I'm more like a test subject."

He laughed with short snorts that sounded utterly charming. "Test subject, that's funny." I liked his voice; it was warm, not too deep, not too light. "You're really pretty; you're like the prettiest girl I've seen on Tinder."

"Stop it," I waved it off.

"Hey, lovebirds, it's time to party!" Taylor signaled from the doorway.