The two weeks leading up to my competition went by in a blur. Between work, training, and maintaining a strict diet, I had little time for any hanky panky. Jake's work trip had him leaving the Monday before the competition. He wouldn't be back until the following Monday. Despite having all the opportunity in the world to be with Dante again, I was good while Jake was gone. I felt like if I could just get through the competition, and casually ease away from training with Dante, I could put the indiscretion behind me and get back to life as usual.
Sarah had been working closely with me the past two weeks to get me ready for the competition. We practiced my walking and posing, and our spa day together was an absolute blast. Sarah didn't directly ask me if anything happened between me and Dante, but she looked me dead in the eyes and told me, "I hope you were good." I told her that I had left Dante's right after she did. Not sure whether or not she bought it.
On the day of the competition I met Sarah and Dante early in the morning at the county convention center. Sarah did an amazing job helping me get ready. She helped apply the oils that had my skin glistening and we did some last minute rehearsing for my stage moves. Dante and Sarah wished me good luck and offered up their encouragement as we parted ways just before the start of the event.
The vibe inside the waiting areas was great. Despite all of these hot girls getting all dolled up to compete and see who was hotter, the girls were all really friendly, and very easy to talk to. By the time it was my turn to go on stage all of the butterflies had left, and I was surprisingly comfortable walking around in front of hundreds of strangers in just my bikini. I didn't think I had much chance of placing on the podium. I just hoped that I didn't take last place. When I was finally called out I focused on calmly placing one foot in front of the other. I Slowly walked out onto the stage making sure to have a strut, and trying my best to look graceful. As I walked up onto the raised platform I made sure I had a big smile. When I did my spins I nailed my final poses exactly like we had practiced.
Hearing the applause of the crowd after I had finished my poses was exhilarating. I felt like it went really well. Now I just had to wait a virtual eternity to hear the results. Back in the waiting room I joined the other girls that had already gone and chatted with them about how it went. The hour and a half waiting for the judges results actually went by much quicker than I'd expected. When my bracket was finally announced I stood in the waiting area holding the hands of the two girls beside me.
Third place! I couldn't believe it when they called my name. Everything that happened on stage was a whirlwind. Things didn't really slow down until I was off stage and Sarah and Dante were waiting to congratulate me. After I finally stopped bouncing between the two of them giving them hugs and saying, "I can't believe it!", I then stepped back and told them with wide eyes and a huge smile, "We have to celebrate!"
"Of course we do." Sarah replied.
After a few minutes of mingling and chatting with the other contestants, Dante, Sarah, and I made our way outside. "I need to shower." I told them. "Do you guys want to follow me home and hang out for a few while I shower?" I asked them.
They both enthusiastically agreed, and we got into our cars and made the short 20 minute drive to my condo. I gave them a quick tour of the condo and told them to make themselves at home while I headed upstairs and jumped in the shower. I was still full of adrenaline while I showered and ran the days events over and over in my head. I felt amazing. I felt sexy, confident, and totally secure in myself. That's not something a woman feels very often. After I showered and dried off I strolled into the closet and looked through my outfits. I felt sexy and wanted to dress sexy. I selected a short, tight fitting blue dress that showed off my back, my breasts, my shoulders, and lots of leg above the knee. I then grabbed a sexy pair of strappy, black heels. I did my makeup and hair as quickly as I could, slipped on the outfit and rushed downstairs. "You guys ready?" I asked.
The three of us piled into Sarah's car and headed to one of the nicer beachfront bars for a late lunch and drinks. The high I had from the competition just kept going. In no time I had a really good buzz. Dante was doing a good job of keeping pace, but Sarah was taking it easy since she had pretty much volunteered to be the DD. I eventually slowed down a bit just so that I wasn't wasted before it even got dark.
After about two hours Sarah tapped out. "Guy's I'm having a great time, but I have plans at 8:00 tonight, so I'm gonna have to go soon." Sarah told me and Dante.
"No Sarah!" I yelled at her. "I don't want this day to end."
Sarah leaned over and hugged me. "I wish I could stay but I've got a date tonight. I didn't think we'd be out for more than a few hours, otherwise I would have made the date for another night." Sarah explained, still hugging me.
"What about you big boy?" Sarah then asked Dante.
Dante smiled at Sarah. "We can Uber. I'll make sure Jess gets home safe." Dante told Sarah.
"I have a feeling that's what she's hoping for." Sarah Said to Dante. I'm not sure if she intended for me to hear it. It was obvious what she was implying, but I was super buzzed and couldn't care less.
Sarah then smiled at me, stood up and gave me a big hug. "You were amazing today. I'm so proud of you." She then leaned back and put a hand on mine. "I want to tell you to be good tonight, but I have a feeling that your going to do what you want to do."
I didn't know what to say, while I didn't mind her knowing I wanted Dante, I didn't want to be too overt about it. Sarah saw the reticent look on my face and then gave me a smile and a wink. "Jess, you're a big girl, what you do is your business. Whatever you do after I leave is no concern of mine. I'll still love you." Sarah said to me in a consoling manner. "And no matter what, you and I need to hang out more." She finished as she leaned further in and kissed me on the cheek.
That made me feel better, and what little self-consciousness I had faded away. "I'd absolutely love that Sarah. I told her. At that, Sarah gave Dante a hug and a very brief stern look, waved to the two of us, and walked away.
"Alone again." I said to Dante.
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It was just getting dark out when the Uber dropped us off at the condo. Neither of us were in any condition to drive at the moment. Not that either of us really thought that Dante was going to leave right away. Still, for some reason we both played the game.