Operation Date Escape

another car whipped around the end of the aisle and turned into the space the minivan had just vacated.
    “Bitch,” Nanc i hissed.
    Kelsie sighed in frustration. The longer it took to park, the longer it would take to get this shopping trip over with. She wasn’t anywhere near the shopaholic Nanci was. “We’ll find another one.”
    “ We shouldn’t have to find another spot,” her friend fumed. “That bitch saw us waiting for that parking space. Let me out. I’ll kick her ass.”
    You didn’t want to mess with Nanci when she was pissed. She’d grown up in foster homes and knew how to take care of herself. That included not putting up with anyone else’s crap. The woman having stolen their parking space was beyond crappy, but the need to avoid adding any more stress to her day overrode the urge to let Nanci out to ‘handle’ things.
    T wenty minutes later, Kelsie followed her mother and Nanci into the mall’s entrance, wondering if her day could get any worse.
    “ Where do you want to start?” Nanci asked as they made their way through the shopping complex.
    “How about Macy’s?” Kelsie suggested. “They’re having a big sale this weekend.”
    “ Uh, uh, uh,” her mother said, shaking her head. “First things first. We need to find you something special to wear on your date with your fireman.”
    She looked at her mother. “He’s not my fireman. And Macy’s happens to carry some really nice clothes.”
    “Pfft ! Who needs clothes?” her mother replied with a wave of her manicured hand. “You’ve got a date with a really sexy firefighter. You need to be prepared.”
    “Good point, ” Nanci agreed. “But something tells me we won’t find any stores that carry condoms in this mall.
    “Nanci,” Kelsie said, shushing her.
    “Nanci’s right,” her mother said with a smile. “You should take some protection with you on your date with Cole just in case. Although I highly doubt a man whose job is making sure people stay safe is going to forget to bring protection with him.”
    Please, Kelsie silently prayed, don’t let anyone be overhearing this conversation.
    “ She’s right,” Nanci agreed. “I think their motto is ‘safety first’. Cole will have the protection part covered.”
    “Will you guys cut it out! ” Kelsie hissed, keeping her voice low. “I have no intention of having sex with Cole.” Not that she hadn’t fantasized about it. But fantasy was on a whole different level from reality. It was safe.
    “Honey, judging from the picture I saw of your date in the paper, your intentions might just fly out the window once you get some time alone with him.”
    “Don’t count on it,” she told her mother.
    I gnoring her, her mother set off down the carpeted corridor. “Come on, girls. Victoria’s Secret awaits.”
    “Ooh,” Nanci cooed. “I’m liking this.”
    Confused, Kelsie looked to her mother as she hurried to keep up with her. “They don’t sell clothes at Victoria’s Secret.”
    “ Honey, it’s not about what you wear on the outside that matters. It’s what’s under your clothes that makes a woman feel sexy.”
    “ And if she feels sexy, she’ll exude a certain confidence that will drive men wild,” her friend added with a knowing smile. “Therefore, it’s time to give up those granny panties you like to wear.”
    Heat flooded her cheeks. “ I don’t wear granny panties. They’re cotton briefs!” Her eyes widened. Had she really just blurted that very personal piece of information out in the middle of a crowded mall? Looking around, the odd stares aimed her way told her she had.
    It appeared her humiliation was destined to continue. And considering the way her luck had been going that week, she wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see her underwear choice broadcast on the evening news that night.
    “Honey, how do you ever expect to catch a man with something as unsexy as cotton briefs?” Shaking her head, her mother made a beeline into Victoria’s Secret.
    “I’m not trying to catch a man,” she called after her mother as she and Nanci followed behind.
    Her friend snorted. “Come on, Kelsie. Why don’t you just admit it? You’re afraid wearing slinky lingerie will weaken your determination to control your sexual urges. Especially around a man like Cole Maxwell.”
    “That’s ridiculous.” What did her underwear have to do with controlling her wants and needs? “One has nothing to do with the other.”
    Nanci stopped just