Princess Next Door(8)

She moved past him, and this time, he didn’t stop her. With every step she took, she knew she shouldn’t have spoken, and that beer had that effect on her. Dropping down in the booth, she was there in time to see Tammy and Marshall making out.

What she found so incredibly sweet was that even after over twenty years of marriage, they were still very much in love.

Tammy pulled away, and Wynter saw the flush in her cheeks, and in that moment, she wished she was her friend. Not for Marshall or anything, but just to know what it felt like to be so loved that she couldn’t imagine being with anyone else.

“Do I talk more after a couple of beers?” Wynter asked. “I think I do because I’ve just bumped into Zane.” She turned to Marshall. “The guy at the bar you met. He’s my neighbor.”

“You already introduced us.”

“Yeah, and I just told him why I’m here, and that I’m a virgin.” Marshall choked on his beer, but she kept on going. “And that you guys are here to help me pick the perfect guy.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Marshall said, turning to Tammy. “You didn’t tell me I was here for this.”

“We’re not. We’re here to keep an eye on Wynter while she has a good time because she doesn’t trust her taste in men.”

“That’s the truth. I wanted to meet people, but I was too scared that I’d judge them all wrong, and before we knew where we were, I’d be like totally in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is easy for you guys, and it’s so not for me.”

“Wynter, hunting for a guy in a bar to lose your virginity to is not the way to go,” Marshall said. “No one, and I mean no one, should do that, and especially someone like you.”

She pouted. “What’s wrong with me?”

“You’re twenty-five years old, and the last thing any of us want is for you to be filled with regret. It’s not fair to you or anyone else. You’ve saved it.”

She shook her head. “No, that’s the thing. I didn’t save it. I just wasn’t going to give it to Carey.” She shivered, recalling his hands all over her body.

“Wynter…”

“I just want to have some fun, and I know you and Tammy care about me. I know you think this is a mistake, Marshall, but I really don’t think it is.”

“Come on, honey, we’ll dance, only this time no one will intervene.” Tammy took her hand and led her onto the dance floor.

“Do you think I’m making a big mistake?” she asked, wrapping her arms around her friend.

“Yes, I do.”

She pulled back a little, shocked with her answer.

“What? You think I agree to you picking up some random guy. I lost my V-card to the love of my life, and that night still fucking sucked, and Marshall hated it. It’s a … vulnerable time in a woman’s life. For some it can be over, and they’re happy with that. With me, I was emotional.”

“You were?”

“Yes, I had tears, and I was scared. I didn’t see what the big deal was with the whole sex thing because it wasn’t that good. The first time, it’s never good, honey. No matter who you pick, do you really want to risk losing a part of yourself to some stranger?”

“We’re not in the Middle Ages or something. It’s not some gift.”

“And that’s where you’re wrong. It is a gift. Your body is your own special gift, Wynter. It’s not to be thrown at anyone, not your first time.” Tammy sighed. “I know you just want to get it over with, and you know what? I completely understand your frustration, I do. What I don’t want is for you to call me tomorrow, crying because you can’t stand the fact you slept with some faceless man you can’t remember or at worst, you’re never, ever going to see again.”

“Why do you have to be the voice of reason right now?”

“I’m a teacher. It’s ingrained for me to always guide the young.”

She rolled her eyes and finished her dance with her friend. This time when they went back to the table, she apologized, and said she needed to get some air. She didn’t want them to feel like they were babysitting her. They should be allowed to have a good time as well, and if they didn’t, she’d feel even guiltier.

Stepping out into the warm night air, she took several deep breaths and stared up at the moon. Closing her eyes, she kept on taking deep breaths.

“Couldn’t think?”

She turned to see Zane sitting on the hood of a truck, smoking a cigarette. “I didn’t know you smoked.”

“It’s a bad habit, but I always have at least one before heading in to sing.”

“You’re performing? Tonight?”

“Yep. I work the bar, and perform at it. I told you I was in a rock band.” He winked at her.

“I believed you.”

“And now you’re going to get to hear me play.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

He patted the space beside him, and she climbed on, feeling really clumsy as she didn’t want to ruin the paintwork with her heels. Zane helped her up, and she stared over at the bar. It was crazy to think how quiet it was outside rather than inside.

She could at least think here for a few seconds.

“How is your manhunt going?”