Curvy Girls Can’t Date Soldiers by Kelsie Stelting

Fifty-Six

Apollo

I setmy phone down and checked my appearance in the mirror over my desk while Josh and Carrie battled it out on Call of Duty.

I had to look perfect for my first real date with Nadira. I hadn’t been sure what to wear, so I took a few options to the retirement home and had Aunt Tilly help me pick. She’d smiled especially big at the dark green button-up, so I paired that with a white T-shirt and khakis. I hoped Nadira would like it too.

Josh crooned, “It’s his first date with my sloppy seconds.”

Both Carrie and I glared at him. Carrie whacked his shoulder with the back of her hand.

He lifted his hands, leaving his controller in his lap. “Only joking.”

“Uh huh,” Carrie said. Took the words right out of my mouth.

I looked back in the mirror, swiping my fingers through the extra growth at the top of my head.

“You look great,” Josh said.

That was my sign to stop fidgeting. I turned toward them. “This is it.”

Carrie shook her head, grinning. “This is only the beginning.”