That First Night

Cover Design: Emily Wittig Editing: Caroline Palmier Proofreading, Formatting: Cathryn Carter * * * Copyright © 2023 by Jenn McMahon All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters, and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental. For Gigi, I wish you were here to read this. Thank you for always pushing me to believe in myself and chase after all my dreams. This one’s for you, my angel. For Kelse & Briel, This one’s also for you girls. If it wasn’t for both of you saying my crazy idea to write a book wasn’t so crazy, I would have never written the first words and this book wouldn’t be in the hands of readers. You inspired these friends. I’ll forever be grateful for your friendship. Powerpuff girls for life. CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Epilogue Acknowledgments About the Author COMING SOON “I’m not cut out for this shit,” I mutter to myself as I slip into a fancy ass dress. It’s way outside of my comfort zone from what I’m used to wearing. I’m the one you’ll usually find wearing a black pair of yoga pants, an oversized tee, and my hair up in a messy bun. Certainly not this elegant black gown and dressed to the nines. “Would you just relax, Pey?” Avery says to me from the couch. “You look fucking hot.” I’m wearing a slim fit floor length black gown. It’s strapless and shows every curve I have, leaving little to the imagination as far as my shape goes. And trust me, I have shape. “Kali, are you sure you don’t want to take Avery tonight instead? You know how I get in social situations,” I say with a baby-faced pout. “No Pey.” She raises her finger and points it to my chest. “You’re not getting out of this tonight. You promised me you would be my plus one to this charity gala.” Now she’s poking me in the chest. “Ugh Kali…fine,” I huff as I retreat away to her bathroom to finish getting ready. I don’t understand why she asked me to go in the first place. We are going to a charity gala tonight for her job. Kali is an editor of a popular fashion magazine in New York City and her boss contributes to many different organizations that support children in all different circumstances. Tonight's event is to raise money for children with pediatric cancers. If it wasn’t for the children, I would be doing everything I could to get out of going. I am not the friend you want to take to a social event, because I am quiet and have social anxiety. Even tequila doesn’t loosen me up enough to be comfortable at a social event. And Kali knows this about me. She was there when I embarrassed the shit out of myself our first year of college. All my life I had wanted to be a teacher. I love kids and I love being around them, which is why I’ve worked in a daycare center for the last two years. Part of the curriculum for first year students was taking a public speaking course. Our very first assignment was a “How to” presentation where we had to pick a topic to show the class. Kali crushed her presentation, of course. She has always loved fashion, so she did a full presentation on how to accessorize sweaters in the fall. The class loved it! My presentation was a total fail. I mean, I ended up passing by the skin of my teeth. I did a presentation on how to make my signature vegan chocolate chip cookies. When I walked up to the podium, I tripped over my own chair because I was so nervous and that caused some students in the class to chuckle at me. My face became hot, and I probably looked like a tomato by the time I got to the front of the class. When I finally got myself together, I realized that all my cards were out of order. While I stood there, the giggles from the class kept coming. I was already so embarrassed, so the last thing I wanted to do was make eye contact with my classmates. I knew that if I kept my focus on Kali, I would find enough comfort to continue the presentation. Only when I looked up to find her face, she had a straight look of horror plastered on her face, almost like she was embarrassed for me. Giving her a little ‘what is it’ look, her eyes trailed down to my chest and then back up to my eyes. Her eyes got wider as if to tell me, ‘Look down, sis.’ When I looked down, I noticed the top three buttons of my blouse were completely opened, exposing my thin white lace bralette. I had basically flashed my entire COMM 110 class. I ran out of the class so fast with tears streaming down my face. I am forever grateful that my professor let me restart the presentation after I had collected myself and I got a C+ on it. I took that as a major win, because you know, C’s get degrees. And I’m