Still Fine at Forty by Dakota Madison Page A

pissed.”
    “Okay,” I said. “I’ll do my best not to disappoint you in the sex department.”
    Mel’s attention was drawn to something on the other side of the room. She floated over to an emerald green cocktail dress. “This is it,” she said. “Let’s hope it’s your size.”
    She pulled the dress from the display and held it up. “What do you think?”
    “It’s gorgeous.” The dress looked like something right out of a high-end magazine advertisement.
    Mel glanced at the tag. “It’s your size. Now all you have to do is try it on.”
    She handed me the dress and we both turned toward the shopkeeper, who was headed in our direction. She was young and looked like a model. She even towered over Mel, which was a feat not many accomplished.
    “That’s a lovely,” she said. “I just got it in a few weeks ago. Would you like to try it on?”
    I nodded.
    “Follow me,” she said as she turned and headed toward the dressing rooms.
    I took the dress into the fitting room. I held it in front of me and looked into the mirror. The color was perfect with my complexion and hair color. I quickly undressed and pulled the dress over my head. When I zipped it up, it was a perfect fit. The dress could have been made for me.
    A wave of excitement rushed through me as I thought about Cody’s expression when he saw me in the dress. Hopefully, it would be lust-inducing.
    When I stepped out of the dressing room to show Mel, she applauded. “If that doesn’t get you laid, nothing will.”
    I glanced at the shopkeeper and she was scowling. I guess she didn’t have much of a sense of humor.
    “We’ll take it,” Mel said. “And what shoes do you have to match?”
    When I went back into the dressing room, Mel hurried in to join me. She was carrying a pair of heels to match the dress. “Try these on.”
    I did as I was told. When I looked back in the mirror, I a lmost cried. I actually looked beautiful.
    “Cody is going to go crazy with you in this outfit,” she said.
    I hugged my best friend.
    Six hundred dollars later, we found ourselves in a little ling erie shop next door.
     
    ***
     
    There was a knock on my hotel room door. When I opened it, my jaw nearly dropped. How was it possible that Cody was even more gorgeous than the day before? In a fitted black suit, he looked like he had just stepped off the pages of GQ.
    As he examined my dress, I could see the desire in his eyes. “You look amazing,” he said. “How did I get so lucky?”
    He held out his elbow for me to grab and we headed out.
    I got a little nervous as we walked out of the hotel. I hadn’t thought about taking the Jeep to a restaurant and what that would do to my hair. Cody must have sensed my discomfort.
    “We can walk to the restaurant,” he said. “It’s not far.”
    I breathed a sigh of relief. It was a gorgeous night and I was with a gorgeous man.
     
    ***
     
    The restaurant was small but very upscale with a hint of modern sophistication that appeared to be so prevalent in Sedona. The host seemed to know Cody when we arrived. He didn’t say a word to us, just nodded to Cody and took us to our seats at a secluded booth.
    “Do you like the atmosphere?” Cody asked as we sat down.
    “It looks expensive,” I said.
    Cody took my hands in his. “I want this to be a special night for you.”
    “It’s been a long time since anyone’s taken me to a place like this,” I admitted.
    “And here I thought I was competing with all of the guys in Phoenix taking you to fancy restaurants, wining and dining you.”
    I winced. Did I dare tell him that I hadn’t been on an actual date since my ex-husband left me? And that my ex was the only guy that I had ever seriously dated?
    I just shook my head. “I don’t get out much.”
    “Then this has to be even more special.” I could see a bit of pride and excitement dancing in his eyes.
    The meal was lovely and perfect and the conversation over dinner was light. We had Cajun style flounder with