Still Fine at Forty by Dakota Madison

normal conversation in the world.
    “I wish I had better news, but alas I do not,” I said. “Not that I would have sex on the first date anyway.” I didn’t want to mention that I probably would have if Cody had made a move.
    “Mel’s right,” Marvin said. “You two really are complete opposites.” He leaned down and nuzzled her behind the ear. Then I swear I heard him growl like an animal.
    I sighed. I didn’t know how I would ever have an appetite watching these two practically making out all night.
    When it didn’t look like Mel and Marvin were going to stop their public displays of affection on their own, I cleared my throat. Loudly. They finally got the hint and backed away from each other.
    Mel looked a little flustered, which was a first, but she quickly came to her senses and said, “At least tell me you got another date to redeem yourself and get some goodies.”
    “Not yet,” I sighed. I was so disappointed I hadn’t heard from Cody, I could have cried.
    Mel raised an eyebrow. “I told you, you have to give them something to keep them coming back for more.”
    Marvin snickered then he leaned in for another kiss and they went right back at it for another round of making out. Ugh. It was going to be a very long night.

 
    Six
    I was back in my room by eight and under the covers reading my book by firelight by nine. Still no calls from Cody, though. Maybe I had imagined his interest in me. Or maybe he changed his mind about me when he really thought about the difference in our ages. By ten o’clock, I was about the give up on him when my cell phone rang.
    “How are you feeling?” Cody asked.
    “Better,” I said in a little too short of tone, but I was disappointed that he had waited so long to call.
    “I ended up going into work,” he explained. “I would have phoned earlier, but we were swamped. I just closed.”
    “Thanks for checking in on me,” I said, my tone softening. “I know you’re busy.”
    “So I wanted to find out if you have plans tomorrow for di nner. I want to take you on a proper date. One that doesn’t involve tumbling down mountains.”
    I laughed. “I would love to go out with you tomorrow.”
    “Great, I’ll pick you up at six.”
     
    ***
     
    I phoned Mel as soon as I got up the next morning.
    “Why are you calling so early?” she moaned.
    “It’s nine,” I said. “That’s not exactly early.”
    “It is when you’re up all night, um, never mind.” She yawned then continued. “What’s up?”
    “I have a problem,” I said.
    “Yeah, I know. I’m the one who has been trying to get you laid, remember?”
    I was glad to see her sense of humor had finally woken up. “Cody phoned last night and I have a date tonight.”
    “You’re right. You do have a problem. We need to go sho pping ASAP. You need a killer outfit and something even sexier to go under it.”
    “Let’s not get crazy,” I said. I was still having a hard time a ccepting the notion that a man was actually going to get underneath my outfit. Of course, if anyone was going to go there, I was glad it would be Cody.
    “Marvin already left for his tee time, so I have at least until lunchtime free. I’m sure we can find something for your big date.”
    Mel and I found a cute little women’s clothing shop a few blocks from the hotel. The place was intimate but it carried quite a selection of designer fashions. With the price tags to match. I suddenly had a difficult time with the idea of paying nearly a week’s salary on a dress.
    Mel narrowed her eyes at me. “What up, Chica?”
    “I don’t know,” I said. I didn’t want to admit that the place was way over my budget.
    “The dress is on me,” she said.
    “I can’t let you buy me a dress,” I said. “You’re already pa ying for the vacation and I ruined your new silk blouse.”
    “It will give me tremendous joy to know that I helped you in your quest for a stud. But you’d better do the deed tonight or I’ll be