Lucky Number Four by Amanda Jason Page A

I find Liam and Colin
grinning.
    “But I was going to relax. I have to work
tomorrow.”
    “No, you don’t. We got you the day off. No
more excuses. We could help you get ready,” Drew says, leering at
me.
    “Yes, we could. We wouldn’t look, of course,”
Colin says, chuckling. I hear a small laugh from Liam. I swear he’s
smiling too … or maybe it’s a leer.
    “Okay, okay. I’ll go get dressed. It’ll take
me a few minutes. Do I have time to shave my legs?” I ask, then
regret it as I see them all smiling like hyenas. “Gutter minds,” I
say loudly as I open my bedroom door. I almost slam it shut as I
hear the wolf whistles aimed at my back.
    Here I stand in my closet, looking at my
pitiful wardrobe. Hey, I’m a college student, so don’t judge me.
And remember, I wear a freaking apron for work. I do go out at
night, so I have a few passable outfits, and my little black dress
is always a great standby. I love wearing black since it makes my
hair seem more vibrant. Even I can be a little vain at times. My
mass of curly hair and my blue eyes are my best assets.
    I’m going all out tonight. Armed with my
diamond necklace with matching teardrop earrings, I feel my
confidence is an eight on a scale of ten. Subtle eye makeup makes
my eyes bluer, and a coral lip stain and matching blush finishes
the job. And, of course, my “eff me pumps”, as Julie would call
them. The black, five-inch heels feel strange at first, but I
stroll around my huge room, getting use to them.
    I grab my small purse, put on my jet-black
winter coat with an appropriate hood, check once more in the mirror
and open my door. Three sets of eyes meet mine before examining me
from head to toe. My long coat hides my short dress, so all they
can see is my head and my feet, which is how I want it.
    “Wow,” Colin says, his warm eyes meeting
mine. My tummy does its normal somersaults. Yeah, I said “tummy.”
Sue me. Thankfully, for once in my life I don’t blush.
    “I second that. But, Dora, what’s hidden
underneath that coat?” Drew asks.
    Liam snorts, grabs his jacket and opens the
front door.
    “Wouldn’t you like to know?” I reply. “I
guess you’re giving us a hint, Liam? And, may I say, you guys don’t
look too bad yourselves.”
    “May I?” Colin puts out his arm. I grab it
gently and he pulls me close so we can move through the door
together. We ride down the elevator listening to Mick Jagger
singing “Jumping’ Jack Flash.” Drew has a rock radio station piped
into the elevator. My dad will love this when he visits.
    Whether planned or by chance, I end up
sitting with Colin in the backseat, which is absolutely fine by me.
My tummy is still flipping its little heart out. We are sitting so
close I feel the heat from his body, which, combined with mine,
makes me want to rip off my coat and his clothes.
    What the hell am I thinking? He’s just acting
like a gentleman … taking my arm, holding my car door open for me.
We really don’t need to sit this close since Drew’s backseat is
huge, but I can dream, can’t I? I’ve seen him on posters and in
magazines dressed only in briefs, so I don’t have to imagine how he
looks under his clothes.
    “Dora,” Drew’s eyes meet mine in the rearview
mirror. “What’s on your mind? You seem preoccupied.”
    “Oh, nothing,” I reply, frustrated that I was
so distracted by Colin that I couldn’t think of a snarky retort.
I’m so glad none of them are not mind readers.
    “Riiiight,” he says with a small laugh as my
eyes widen.
    “Yeah, right. My head is completely empty,” I
say in a huffy voice and the three laugh at my statement. “Where
are we going?” I’m a little nervous that they’re taking me to some
star-studded club where I’ll be the only nobody.
    Quit that, Dora. You are just as important
as they are. You just make a lot less money and you’re not as
pretty. But you can hold your own.
    Boy, would my psych teacher have a field day
with this whole