The Diner Read online

  Table of Contents

  Excerpt

  The Diner

  Blurb

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Preview another book by this author

  Note from Michelle

  eBooks by Michelle Hoppe

  Michelle recommends … Lexxie Couper

  Excerpt

  Nicole was deep into the project spread across her desk when the sound of the phone ringing made her jump. Looking at the caller ID, she wasn’t surprised to see Tami’s number. Reaching for the phone, she lifted the receiver to her ear. “Hello, Tami.”

  “Meet me-e-e.” She barely understood the words, torn from the sobbing voice on the line.

  “Hon, what’s wrong?”

  “Me-e-e…”

  “Tami, you have to stop crying if you want me to understand what you’re saying.” Nicole waited as she heard Tami put the phone down and blow her nose. A few seconds later and Tami’s shaking voice, without the tears, came back on the line.

  “I need to see you. Can you meet me at the diner? Now.”

  “Of course. I can be there in ten minutes.”

  “Okay.”

  Nicole could hear Tami’s voice crack again. “Calm down, Tami. I’ll be there as fast as I can.”

  “Okay.”

  The line went dead. Nicole leaned back in her chair and studied the papers in front of her. Glancing at her watch, she realized it was actually later than she had thought. Taking a break to meet Tami would be a good chance to get some lunch. Apparently, there was no Supreme Being on duty in heaven yesterday, cause if she was right, good ol’ Jerry had remembered Tami’s number. Mentally shaking herself, Nicole reached for the phone to tell her assistant she would be leaving and most likely would not return today. After straightening her office, she turned out the lights and headed for the elevator. Good Lord, what could have gone wrong this time, she thought.

  Ten minutes after her phone conversation with Tami, she took her seat at their usual corner booth, ordered coffee and sandwiches, and waited. Tami entered the diner two minutes later and took her normal seat opposite her. The condition of her face and makeup confirmed her recent tears: mascara running, nose red from blowing, eyes swollen. She was a mess. Before she could say a word, Tami’s voice rang out.

  “Men are pigs!”

  “You just now realized that?” The look Tami shot her across the table could freeze water. “Okay, okay, what did the pig do?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Right, you’d rather cry about it.” She realized her mistake a second too late. The tears started flowing in earnest. “I’m sorry, honey. Stop crying and tell me what happened this time.” Before she could respond, the waitress popped around the corner to inquire if they needed anything. Seeing Tami’s tear streaked face, she immediately backed away. “She’s gone, now tell me what happened.”

  “He called me a … a … virgin!”

  The Diner

  Michelle Hoppe

  Published 2016 by Book Boutiques.

  ISBN: 978-1-944003-54-8

  Copyright © 2016, Michelle Hoppe.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Book Boutiques.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, locales, or events is wholly coincidental. The names, characters, dialogue, and events in this book are from the author’s imagination and should not to be construed as real.

  Manufactured in the USA.

  Email [email protected] with questions, or inquiries about Book Boutiques.

  Blurb

  Michelle Hoppe spins a laugh-out-loud tale of what happens when a twenty-six-year-old virgin finds a man who just might be…the one! From blowjobs to making love, two best friends share their hopes, dreams, and the fears of getting naked in front of a man and doing ‘it’ wrong!

  The Diner is a story about sex and reality. Romantic lines, ideal bodies, and picture perfect sexual encounters take a backseat to reveal the bumpy road most people travel in their quest for a mate.

  Glenda K. Bauerle of The Romance Studio had this to say about The Diner, "...hilarious...Great scenes; cute dialog. A fun story for all readers enjoying thoroughly modern women and their relationships, reminiscent of certain series on television in recent years."

  The Diner is Chick-Lit at its best. Join Tami and Nicole at in this contemporary, romantic comedy that will tickle your funny bone and warm your heart.

  Previously Published

  (2005) Liquid Silver Books

  Acknowledgements

  Cover Artist: Valerie Tibbs, Tibbs Design

  Chapter 1

  May 22nd

  Late afternoon sun filtering though the stain glass window cast a kaleidoscope of color over the interior of the small church. A gentle breeze blowing off the bay drifted through the open doors, making candle flames dance, adding to the romantic setting. Lovely yellow roses adorned the end of each pew, altar, and vestibule of the wedding chapel on Van Ness Avenue in the heart of San Francisco.

  Tuxedo dressed ushers had seated over a hundred guests: the bride’s family and friends on the right, the groom’s on the left. The flower girl was walking down the aisle, yellow rose petals dropping from her fingers as she skipped toward the altar. The ring bearer, struggling to keep up, had tears running down his cheeks because he’d lost sight of his mommy.

  Nicole Weston waited at the bottom of the aisle for her turn to walk before the assembled crowd. Resplendent in her pale yellow, backless, maid of honor dress, a small bouquet of yellow roses was clasped in her hands. Thank the stars in heaven it was a dress she didn’t mind wearing. Unlike the last bridesmaid dress she’d been forced to endure—lime green, big bell skirt, bows in stupid places, and shoes to match. At least Tami has taste, she thought to herself. Music flowed from overhead speakers. The magical strains of Between Now and Forever, sung with emotion by Bryan White, sent chills down her spine.

  Watching closely, she took her first step out, just as the young ring bearer’s mother gently pulled him into a pew at the front of the chapel. One step, pause, next step, pause, Nicole made her way toward the groom, soon to be her best friend’s husband. The smile on Jerry’s face lit the entire room, his happiness only exceeded by that of the bride. Nicole smiled to herself; it was amazing that in six short months, her friend Tami White had gone from nervous virgin to bride. With the rocky start their relationship endured, it was amazing they’d made it this far.

  Taking her place on the right of the minister, Nicole thought back to that first day, six months ago, and again saw the tear-streaked face of her friend.

  Chapter 2

  Monday

  The lunch hour passed, the crowd thinned, and Nicole Weston sat alone in the corner booth with her lukewarm coffee and half-eaten piece of cake. She looked down at her watch, noting the time. One fifteen, she only had about ten more minutes to wait for Tami to arrive.

  She and Tami had been friends for over six years now and shared everything. Nothing escaped their conversations, including details of their sex lives. Nicole could hardly wait to hear about last evening. She knew Tami had been worried about her date with Jerry. She’d revealed yesterday her certainty about his desire to have sex. The women discussed whether Tami would be ready for the big step or not.

  The fact that Tami wa
s a virgin at twenty-six still astonished her. With all the advice she’d been given over the years, it made no sense she didn’t date well. There was always some problem or other, and after about the second or third date the relationship would implode. This new liaison with Jerry was going on two months, and now with the possibility of sex for the first time—it was an amazing feat in and of itself.

  Nicole saw him on several occasions; he seemed nice enough, if a little nerdy. He was too short for Nicole’s taste, only about five-six and in her opinion, he needed to lose a few pounds. Hey, but what the heck, she thought, I’m not dating him and if Tami likes him she should go for it.

  After much discussion they had agreed that if Tami felt comfortable with the situation and desire struck, she would let him have his way. Nicole had done her best to give her friend some insight into what to expect.

  Glancing up from her now empty plate, Nicole watched as Tami entered the diner and walked to the table in the back to join her.

  “Hey you.”

  “Hey you, yourself.”

  “Sit, sit, and tell me all.” Nicole noticed Tami didn’t laugh. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Everything. I did it wrong.”

  “You did what wrong?”

  “Sex.”

  Pointing to the seat across the table from her, Nicole indicated Tami should get comfortable because this could take a while. Waving her hand toward the waitress at the counter, she indicated they needed some service. “Hold on a minute, let’s get you a cup of coffee and some cake, then you can tell me all about it.”

  Tami dropped into the seat and put her head in her hands. When the waitress arrived, Nicole ordered the coffee and dessert, asked for a refill on her coffee, and ordered a piece of pie for herself. She waited for the waitress to move out of earshot before continuing. “Okay, hon, tell me what happened.”

  “I can’t; it’s too embarrassing.”

  “What’s too embarrassing?”

  “Last night.”

  “Just start at the beginning and tell me what happened. I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s going on.”

  “You’re going to laugh at me.”

  “When have I ever laughed at you about something important?” At least out loud.

  “Never. I guess.”

  “Right, never. So stop with all the drama and get to the details. Besides it can’t be all that bad.”

  “Oh yes, it can!” Nicole noticed Tami’s voice crack. My God, what in the world could have happened that is so bad she’s about to cry?

  “Take a deep breath and tell me about it. We will decide together if it is really that bad.”

  Just when she thought Tami might start talking, the waitress showed up with their order. They waited in silence for her to place the coffee cups, desert plates, cream, and sugar on the table.

  “Can I get you anything else?” the waitress inquired.

  “That’s all for now, thanks.” Nicole just wanted her to leave so she could get Tami to tell her about last night. “Okay she is gone, give over.”

  “He picked me up at about eight and we went to that little burger shop on the corner of Franklin and Union. You know the one?”

  “Yes, I know it.” Is this an essential part of the story?

  “We had a great time. He told me about his days in high school, about college. He’s really interesting you know.”

  “If you say so.” Bor-ring!

  “I thought you liked him?”

  “I do, he’s just not my type. Doesn’t mean he’s not perfect for you.”

  “Well, after last night I don’t think I’ll get a chance to find out if he’s perfect or not.”

  Nicole was getting frustrated. She was interested in details, not a pity party. Try to remain calm. She forced a smile. “Sweetie, you are going to have to tell me what happened if you want my help.”

  “I thought that’s what I was doing,” Tami whined.

  “Okay, sorry. Go on.”

  “After dinner he invited me to his place, said he wanted to just kick back and relax. I thought it would give us some privacy, and you know, I really wanted to be available for sex if he wanted it”

  “And did he?”

  “I wasn’t sure at first. He poured us a drink, turned on the music, and we sat on the couch. I figured he would sit close and put his arm around me or something. He didn’t.”

  “Okay, so you’re sitting there drinking and not touching, what did he do?” I was right; this guy’s got no clue.

  “He told me I was beautiful.”

  “Hey, that’s a good thing.”

  “Yep, I thought so too. Then without any warning he threw himself on me.”

  “He what? How do you mean?”

  “I mean one second he was sitting there telling me I was beautiful, the next he was laying on top of me. I don’t even know how he did it.”

  “You mean he just jumped on top of you?” And, no class.

  “It was more like a lunge.” Tami moved sideways as if to demonstrate.

  “And you didn’t get any advanced warning he was about to lunge at you?”

  “None. He just landed on top of me and stuck his tongue down my throat.”

  “So he kissed you?” “How to Win a Woman’s Heart 101” I swear, they must teach this shit in high school.

  “If you could call it a kiss. It was more like him trying to see if he could find my tonsils, get past them, and slide down my throat.”

  “Honey, men’s tongues are not that long.” And, too damn bad too. I mean, imagine the possibilities. Enough, pay attention!

  “You asked.” Tami’s voice was sounding a little angry.

  Trying to keep her voice level so she didn’t upset her friend anymore, Nicole asked, “What did you do?”

  “I kept my mouth open and tried to push him off me.”

  “Did it work?”

  “Well, yes. He moved back a little and asked me what was wrong. I told him I thought we could cuddle first, maybe talk a little more, before we started kissing.”

  “Did he get mad?”

  “No, he was really great about it. Said he was sorry for rushing me and maybe it would be best if we started really slowly. I told him I thought that was a good idea.”

  “So he backed off.”

  “Yes, he pulled me closer and slowly kissed me. It was nice and I enjoyed it.”

  “Slow kissing is as fun as foreplay.”

  “Yes. But you told me foreplay lasts a long time.”

  “True.”

  “Well, it could only have been thirty seconds before he started grabbing my breast and squeezing.”

  “So he’s a fast mover.” A bumbling fool with no idea of how to treat a lady.

  “I never realized a man could kiss, unbutton a shirt, and unhook a bra, all in fifteen seconds.”

  “Some can.” Usually the dreamy ones.

  “He had my shirt and bra off without ever letting go of my lips.”

  “Were you excited?” No, don’t answer that. You couldn’t possibly be excited by this Mr. I-don’t-know-what-romance-is.

  “Remember when you told me about that little pit, deep down inside your stomach—the one that starts to ache when you desire a man?”

  “I remember.” Oh God, she was excited.

  “Now I know what it feels like. When his fingers touched my naked skin, it tingled. After he removed my shirt, and his hands massaged my breast, I thought the heat would explode. Is it always like that?”

  “If you’re lucky.”

  A wistful look crossed Tami’s face. “If he would have just kept kissing me, maybe things would have worked out better.”

  “What happened next?”

  “He moved his head down to suck on my tit.”

  “A very pleasurable new sensation you should have enjoyed.” If he managed to keep his teeth in place.

  “I did, until he put his hand up my skirt and started pulling my panties down.”

  “So he is not
as smooth as I gave him credit for.” Which by the by, I didn’t give him much credit to start with. “Still, nothing about this sounds bad.”

  “Just wait.”

  “Okay.”

  “I wasn’t expecting him to touch me there, you know, on my…”

  “Pussy.”

  “God, how can you just blurt that word out likes it’s nothing, to talk about a … you know.”

  “Well I’m sure as fuck not going to call it a ‘you know.’ It’s a pussy, nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “Someone should invent a new name for it.”

  “Don’t get sidetracked here. Tell me what you did when he got your panties off.”

  “He didn’t get them off. When his fingers started to push up between my legs, I think I freaked.”

  “Freaked how?”

  “I slapped him.”

  Good girl, he was being boorish and deserved to be slapped. “Oh my God, you actually slapped him?”

  Her voice shook. “Yes.”

  “What did he do?”

  “He moved back into the corner of the couch and apologized. He said he really liked me and wanted to have sex, but didn't want to rush me and if I'd be more comfortable we could wait.”

  “Tami, my dear, dear friend, from what you’ve told me so far I don’t see a problem. He probably wants to do the make-out, feel her up kind of foreplay, and hold off on intercourse until you’re ready. It’s not the end of the relationship, sweetie. It will be fine, you’ll see.”

  Nicole noticed a frown start to form between Tami’s eyes, the line between her brows growing deeper by the second.

  “If the story ended there, you might be right.”

  “You mean there is more?” God save me.

  She watched as Tami took several deep breaths, sipped her coffee, and tried to find a way to tell her what happened next. “Tami, did something else happen?”

  Dropping her head in her hands again, “Yes. We did it.”

  “Did what? Stop with all the moaning and groaning and tell me what it is you did!”

  “Oral.”

  “You mean a blowjob?”