Hmm, maybe that’s my problem. I always play things too safe. Perhaps, I am too judgmental and should relax more. After all, falling for the smartly-dressed, perfectly groomed Nigel hadn’t exactly been a success.
“Okay,” she said more positively. “Let’s do this. I’ll see you at my place, at seven.”
When Harriet got back to the apartment, she was running late and flew into the kitchen in a fluster. She plonked a bottle of Malbec down on the counter, and looked up at the time. Shoot, Katie would be here in ten minutes. She’d hoped to have had a shower but there wasn’t time so she’d just slip out of her work clothes and put on some yoga pants. After all, it wasn’t like the guys on the app could see her while she and Katie worked on her profile.
Harriet kicked off her shoes and shimmied her pantyhose down her legs, then pulled open the laundry door and tossed it into the basket in there. She pulled out some wine glasses from the cupboards, then unbuttoned the front of her blouse. Now where’s that corkscrew?
Finding it on the drying rack, she opened the red wine and set it aside to breathe. She slid down the zipper on her skirt and went to pull off her blouse when a loud cough made her almost jump out of her skin. She squealed loudly as she saw Logan laying on the sofa looking over his book at her.
“I would suggest finishing that in your room.” He couldn’t hide the smirk on his face. “I mean, I’m okay with it of course, and well, if it’s gonna be that type of party, you can count me in. I’m happy to get naked, too.”
Her cheeks heated, and she grasped her blouse closed at the front. “God, Logan, what are you doing here?”
“Um, I live here?”
Hurriedly, she fastened the buttons, hoping she hadn’t flashed him too much flesh. “Not at seven o’clock on a Thursday, you don’t. Shouldn’t you be in the bar?”
“It turns out my new employee, Sarah, is fantastic, and she suggested I take the night off, as I haven’t had one in three weeks. She’ll call me if we get too busy.”
“Damn. I’m sorry, I invited Katie over.”
“That’s okay.”
“Are you sure? We can go out if you’d prefer to spend your night off in peace.”
“Honestly, it’s fine.”
She ran to him and kissed him on the cheek. “You are an amazing landlord, you know that? Right, I better go get changed. Can you let Katie in when she gets here? She’ll be bringing pizza and you’re quite welcome to some.”
“Ah, now you’re talking. But will Katie be stripping, too? And if so, are we all joining in, how far should I go? Just to boxers, or are we going all the way?”
“You are funny. Clothes are required. But you can take your socks off if you want.” She winked and scooted off towards her room.
Once in her bedroom, she quickly stripped and reached for her yoga pants and a slouchy shirt. She paused, and her eyes went to the door. Harriet was usually dressed up when Logan saw her, either in her work clothes or going out stuff. Logan had never seen her in gym attire, as she generally went while he was asleep in the mornings. He slept late, making up for the long hours he held at the bar.
She dropped the clothes back on her bed and selected a pair of cute jeans instead, and a pretty blouse she hadn’t worn yet, as she couldn’t decide if it was too casual for work or not. Paired with the dark wash jeans it looked fantastic on her, but it confirmed it wasn’t work appropriate, as it was slightly too sheer for the office. Hmm, but it looked cute with a lacy bralette.
Lastly, she unpinned her hair from the simple up-do she wore to work and brushed it out. Her thick, pin straight tresses fell midway down her back, extenuating its glossiness. Harriet freshened up her makeup with some lip gloss and a little blush, then she headed back into the living area.
Katie and Logan were on the huge sofa with Harriet’s phone between them. On the table was a pizza box and three glasses of red wine next to it. Suddenly, she remembered why Katie had come around.
Damn, do I really want Logan knowing I am going ahead with this Tinder thing? Last week he didn’t seem to think it was such a bad idea, and his suggestion to use Jackson’s as a meeting place was a pretty sensible one. At least she’d feel safe on home territory. Logan would never let her down.
“Huh, remind me to change my password.” She scowled at her open phone.
“Don’t fret, we aren’t looking at your personal stuff.”
“And my Tinder profile isn’t personal? Remind me to change the password on that, too!”
“Nice. I’d swipe right.” Logan pointed at her profile, and grinned up at her.
Harriet couldn’t tell if he was joking or not, but she blushed. “Huh, I haven’t even seen it yet, this is all Katie’s doing. Perhaps these men should date her.” Harriet wriggled into the space between her friends and took a deep breath as she looked at the profile.
Hmm, okay, not so shabby. She had no idea where Katie had found five flattering pictures of her. In person, she knew she was attractive, albeit in an understated way. She didn’t have one particular feature that was striking, but the overall effect was pleasant enough that she didn’t agonize over the shape of her nose, or whether her chin was strong enough. But
