“How’d the gig go, Mon?” asked Shirley.
“Ten people showed up.”
Shirley’s eyes broadened. “Hey, that’s an improvement. Things are getting better.”
“I guess if you look at it like that.”
Monica slumped onto the sofa and sighed. Shirley sat beside her, held her hand and rubbed her arm. “It will get better. Just hang in there. I believe in you.”
Monica looked at Shirley, and the corners of her lips curled. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’re never gonna have to find out,” said Shirley.
“How was your date?”
Shirley pursed her lips and tilted her head towards her shoulder. “He was a douche. Pretended to forget his wallet, so he made me pay for the date. Then after he found out that I wasn’t going to sleep with him, he didn’t want to drive me back. To make things worse, the taxi driver ripped me off.”
Monica threw her arms around Shirley and pressed her cheek against hers. “You deserve Prince Charming, and I know that he’s on his way.”
“Yeah, I wish I could believe that.”
“Don’t say that. I know you’ve struggled to find the right guy, but I believe that he’s coming because you deserve the best since you’re the best.”
Shirley’s forehead wrinkled as she pouted, heartened by her best friend’s support. Monica was the only person who believed that Shirley deserved an amazing guy, even she didn’t because she used to be the village bicycle.
The following weekend, Shirley walked past a nightclub. A tall guy, wearing leather pants and a jacket stepped in her way and looked her in the eyes. He held the gaze and raised an eyebrow. Shirley knew that she was standing in front of a real man.
She smiled, looking up at him. After speaking to each other for a few minutes, Shirley gave the man her number.
Llewellyn called her the following day and set up a dinner date.
Shirley smiled when he opened the car door for her, then later, the restaurant door. He paid for dinner at the steakhouse, then took Shirley on a boat ride.
She couldn’t stop smiling. Something about Llewellyn told her that she should go on another date to find out more about him. The best part about him is that he hadn’t expected anything at the end of the date.
Llewellyn sent her a text the following day to tell her that he had a great time and would like to see her again. Shirley was convinced more than ever before that he might be the one, but she had to make sure. She accepted a second date but convinced herself that she wouldn’t sleep with him.
After the date, Shirley walked into the apartment, and Monica noticed her smile. “Who gave you good news?” asked Monica.
“Nobody. Just came back from my date.”
Monica smiled and sat beside Shirley, eager to get the juicy details. “And?”
Shirley glanced at the ceiling with a smile. “It was wonderful. Our second date, and I can’t wait for the third.”
Monica bit her bottom lip and raised her eyebrows. “Ooh. Sounds like you two are close.”
“Not like that. Our first kiss was tonight, and nothing else happened.”
Monica’s mouth slacked open. “You’re kidding?”
“No, I feel that he’s the one, so I’m not gonna give it up until I’m certain.”
Monica smacked Shirley’s arm. “See? What did I say? I told you that it was a matter of time before you were swept off your feet.”
Shirley smiled, then giggled like a teenage girl who had just kissed her first crush.
Month-end rolled around, so the rent was due. This was the third time that Shirley was short on rent and had to ask Monica to cover for her, which she hated doing to her best friend.
“It’s fine,” said Monica. “It’s just a matter of time since you find another job,” she added.
Shirley looked down and said, “I hope so.”
Her last employer downsized and decided to retrench her eight months ago. Shirley’s hopes of finding employment again dwindled.
“I’ll pay you back. I promise,” said Shirley.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got a gig tonight. If it turns out well, I’ll be able to cover the rent easily.”
Shirley felt sorry for her since she knew the chances of that happening were slim, despite always being optimistic about Monica’s singing career.
Monica walked into the apartment at five the following morning, just as Shirley had gotten up to go to the bathroom. “Hey, you. How’d it go last night?”
Monica smiled and said, “Amazing. Two hundred people showed up.”
“What? You’re not serious.”
Monica smiled as she nodded. “I performed several of my songs, and the crowd reaction was so overwhelming that the club owner told me to carry on.”
Shirley grabbed Monica’s arm and escorted her to the couch. “That’s amazing, Mon. I’m so proud of you. What happened? How’d the change come about?”
Monica’s smile revealed that she had been hiding something. “I met someone. He’s a promoter, and he’s got contacts across the entire industry. He set up the gig last night. He said it went so well that I can expect bigger crowds at other venues that he’s going to book me at.”
Shirley’s eyebrows raised as she smiled. “That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you. You deserve it after sticking with it for years.”
They hugged and swayed. “The pay was great, too, I might add,” said Monica.
“Who’s this guy? What’s he like?”
“He was so professional. I met him through a contact, and when he heard me sing, he said that he saw something special in me.”
Shirley flashed her eyebrows. “I see,” she said cheekily. “I take it you two have done the deed,” she said.
“No,” said Monica hesitantly.
“But you gotta admit that you considered it.”
Monica lowered her eyes and compressed her lips to hold back a smile. “Maybe.”
Shirley nudged Monica’s shoulder. “Go for it.”
Monica planned to since Rollo was good-looking and had the power to arrange her a contract with a big record company. Once that happened, Monica would be set for life. Her savings were depleting since she covered for Shirley not only with rent but also with groceries.
Shirley’s date with Llewellyn was the following night. He picked up Shirley in a limo, then took her to a yacht. Shirley marvelled at how big and luxurious it was. Her feminine instincts kicked in, realising that her man not only treated her well but could also provide for her. She wouldn’t need to burden Monica or worry about finding employment only to be dismissed later for whatever reason.
As the captain set sail, Shirley and Llewellyn toasted with expensive champagne. They were rubbing shoulders while sitting on a beach chair and admiring the city’s skyscrapers from the deck.
Llewellyn looked at Shirley, and she smiled. He kissed her, then grabbed her hand and escorted her to the bed.
He slipped off her dress strap, then kissed her shoulder. Shirley craned her head up, and Llewellyn kissed her neck as she reached for his pants. She unbuckled his belt, then got on her knees and pulled down his pants.
Llewellyn closed his eyes as she groped his dick and tickled his balls. A smile appeared on his face as he felt rewarded for all of his efforts. She looked up at him and smiled, and he pulled her head towards his dick. Shirley was happy to suck it since she felt the need to pleasure her potential husband.
Shirley’s tongue swirled on the tip of Llewellyn’s dick before she stood up and turned around. He pulled a chair close to the bed, and Shirley bent over the bed and placed her right foot on the chair as her hands pressed on the bed.
Llewellyn smiled as he watched Shirley’s pussy open up. He rubbed it for a few seconds, then licked his fingers. Shirley looked at him over her shoulder and smiled.
He stuck his dick in her and penetrated. Shirley clenched her teeth as she screamed, and she looked at him again. He leaned over her and grabbed her neck, gently applying pressure. Her face flushed, but she smiled as she closed her eyes. She loved that he was aggressive and knew what she wanted.
He pulled her hair, making Shirley raise her chin. Llewellyn smiled as he looked at the sea out of the window. He carried on banging her for some time. Both of their faces were covered in sweat.
Llewellyn lay on the bed, and Shirley sat on top of him. She stuffed his dick inside her pussy and rode him. Her eyes were closed as she screamed, and he was looking up at her.
After jumping on him for several minutes, Shirley abruptly stopped. She got off him and was on her knees as she grabbed his dick and shoved it into her mouth. Llewellyn raised his head off the pillow and smiled as he watched her suck him off.
She got back on top of him and rode him harder. He grimaced as he felt his load bubbling up in his balls, ready to erupt. He thought about pulling out, but what the heck? They were having fun, so he might as well end on a high note. Llewellyn loudly groaned as he busted inside her.
Shirley got home the following morning and told Monica about the amazing date she had. She left the sex part out, but Monica assumed it. She saw the sparkle in Shirley’s eyes as she spoke about how amazing Llewellyn was and that she pictured them together for the rest of her life.
Monica was thrilled for her best friend and wished her the best. She didn’t wanna take the attention off of Shirley, but Shirley was the one who insisted on finding out about how things had progressed between her and Rollo. Monica divulged that she had slept with Rollo two nights ago.
After the sex, he told Monica that he had a big gig lined up for her, which was the following night. Monica invited Shirley to the gig and said that Rollo was going to introduce her to the crowd. Shirley couldn’t wait to support her best friend at her biggest gig and meet the guy who had boosted her career.
At the gig, Monica looked at five hundred people from the stage. She smiled at Rollo, then started singing. After her performance, she roamed the venue, looking for Shirley, who was nowhere to be seen.
She got home the following morning and found Shirley on the couch eating ice cream and watching TV.
“Hey. I didn’t see you last night,” said Monica. “Where were you?”
“I was there, but I left early.”
“Why?”
“I saw Rollo when he introduced you.”
Monica frowned. “And?”
“That’s Llewellyn, the guy I have been seeing.”
“Oh.” Monica blinked several times, bemused at the coincidence. She saw that Shirley was heartbroken, but she didn’t know how to react. “I’m sorry,” she added.
“I can’t believe it. My best friend is with the man I’ve fallen in love with.”
“I didn’t know, Shirley. I swear.”
Shirley believed her because she knew that Monica would never betray her. Monica treasured their friendship more than anything, so she said, “I’ll back off.”
“But he helped you with your career, and this is only the beginning. There are more things in store for you if you stick with him,” said Shirley.
“Nothing is more important to me than our friendship, including my career.”
Shirley was overwhelmed at her friend’s generosity, so she leapt off the couch and hugged her. “Since you’ve made such a sacrifice, I’ll do the same. It’s only fair that neither of us gets him.”
“Are you sure?” asked Monica.
Shirley smiled and nodded before they hugged again.
For the following month, Shirley had one disaster date after another. She couldn’t pay her portion of the rent again and felt sorry for Monica because her gigs had dried up after she ended her affiliation with Rollo, or Llewellyn as he was known to everyone outside of the music industry.
Shirley figured that it was best to move out so that Monica could find a paying tenant. She didn’t have the courage to tell her in person, so she left a note on the table and vacated the apartment when Monica had stepped out.
Since she was unemployed and had no prospects, Shirley needed someone to take care of her. She felt that she had betrayed Monica already, so what harm could another betrayal do?
Shirley showed up at Llewellyn’s place and begged for his forgiveness. He welcomed her into the house, then had sex with her the entire night.
Two days later, Shirley showed up at Monica’s doorstep. Monica was gobsmacked when she saw her, but she invited her inside to hear her story.
“I betrayed our friendship,” began Shirley. “I’m so sorry. I went to live with Llewellyn, leaving you high and dry. I’m so sorry.”
“What happened with him?”
“I found out that he was married.”
“I’m sorry, Shirley.”
“Now I’m here, homeless and desperate. The worst part of all of this is that I lost our friendship. That’s the thing I regret the most. I never should’ve chosen Llewellyn over you. Your friendship is more important to me than anything. I’m so sorry, Mon.”
Monica embraced her, feeling sorry for Shirley. She understood that Shirley wasn’t thinking clearly and that everyone makes mistakes. “You never should’ve left in the first place. Welcome back home.”