The car drew attention the moment it appeared. A sleek BMW i8 coupe in eye-catching metallic blue, it stood out among the sea of family-friendly saloons and estates parked at Sunnyvale college.
Lucy Parker walked slowly over to the metallic machine, more than a little embarrassed that Dan, her dad's rich but nerdy friend, was making her the centre of attention. But with her parents away and their house being remodeled, it was Dan's place or a friend's sofa. Easy choice. After all, Dan had just moved into a VERY nice place.
Dan tapped his fingers on the steering wheel impatiently. He didn't love these college runs, the sheer mundanity of it all. School hadn't been good to him, but he'd made his own way in life - eventually starting his own firm with his business partner Tim - his old mentor, and Lucy's father.
Dan had known Lucy since she was nine years old, so she'd become - if not like a daughter, a niece to him. But it had been a few years since he'd seen her so when Tim had asked him to take her in for the 2-week college break, Dan was happy for the opportunity to reconnect. She must be, what, 19 now? 20?The car door opened and. Instead of the awkward young teenager Dan remembered, a beautiful young woman appeared- the unkempt red hair now down to her waist; the oversized jumpers and combat trousers replaced with a figure-hugging black top. As she leaned in to say hi, Dan found his eye briefly drawn to her cleavage before remembering himself and looking Lucy in the eye. Had they always been that heart-stopping shade of blue? She smiled.
"Hello stranger!"
Lucy pushed her bag into the BMW's tiny back 'seats', jumped into the sporty bucket seat in the front and slammed the door closed.
"Let's get out of here before anyone sees me in this thing," she laughed. Dan shook his head and started the car.
A youthful 40, Dan had clearly been working out since they last saw each other. He was tan and toned, and between his salt-and-pepper beard and closely-cropped head, his age looked good on him.
Ten minutes later, Dan was showing Lucy around his palatial new home. She immediately knew she was in for a good time. As a confirmed bachelor, Dan had money to burn on creature comforts - the highlight of which was an indoor hot tub just off the gigantic living room. Lucy was surprised at how well she and Dan were getting on - like peers, she thought. But he still wanted to put her at ease.
"I know it's a bit weird staying away from home, and I'm not exactly run off my feet with visitors here. So feel free to invite some friends over," Dan said, handing Lucy a glass of champagne. "And don't worry - I can stay out of your way."
"Don't be silly," Lucy replied. "I'm sure we'll have fun." She sipped the champagne - unsurprisingly, the best she'd ever tasted - and thought about the cheap prosecco she was used to sharing with her best friend.
"Actually, I do know someone who'd really appreciate this. My friend Alice."
"Invite her over, if you like."
"I should warn you, she can be a bit of a party animal." That was an understatement. Alice was a one-woman party.
"I'm sure you're both house trained," Dan laughed. "And I have plenty more. Just try not to break anything."
***********************************
The fifth bottle was probably a mistake. The kind of mistake that often happened around Alice. Alice was used to being the centre of attention, particularly in comparison to the shy, introverted Lucy. Though both girls were undeniably attractive, Alice's striking appearance - closely cropped hair faded into a pixie bob, big brown eyes and naturally full lips - usually caught the eye of any men they met.
The sweet smell of cannabis filled the air and everyone was feeling loose-lipped and hazy. Even Dan was starting to feel less parental. Which was just as well, considering the way Alice had been looking at him all night.
Alice liked older men as a rule, and she considered Dan to be an exceptional example. More attractive than he realised, and lacking the arrogance of many men in his position. Knowing she'd be meeting him, Alice had worn a conservatively-cut but tightly-fitting dress, emphasising her hourglass figure. But his relationship with Lucy, Alice sensed, was getting in the way of trying to outrageously flirt with him.
As the night went on, the conversation took an inevitable turn when Alice started talking about the poor orgasm etiquette of a recent Tinder hookup.
"Don't get me wrong," she was saying. "It's like, feel free to cum in my mouth - but at least give me some warning!"
Dan interrupted her.
"I don't want to be That Guy, but I really don't think I want to hear about Lucy... you know." He turned to Lucy, apologetically. "I've known you too long."
Alice laughed. "Oh, you're safe on that front. Lucy's as pure as driven snow, aren't you?"
Lucy blushed. "I... I mean..." She sighed. "Boys just don't really seem interested in me."
"I can't believe what I'm hearing," Dan said, inebriated enough to cross the line. "Are the boys you're meeting even into women?"
"Oh she gets plenty of attention," Alice explained. "She's just scared she doesn't know what she's doing."
"Alice!" Lucy looked less annoyed than she sounded. She secretly enjoyed the description - it was true, after all. She'd love to be as confident and experienced as Alice but it had just never happened for her - a late bloomer, by the time guys had started noticing her she had no idea how to respond or even recognise it.
"I reckon she's a slut in waiting, actually."
