We were far longer in bed - and then in the bathroom - than we had planned but we didn't rush supper. The Copa club was going to be open well into the small hours of the morning and given the tiny nature of our dresses, neither of us thought that we would be there for very long in any case.
It was - mercifully - fully dark by the time a cab arrived to take us to our slightly seedy destination and we slid into the rear seat as discretely as we could, just two dresses, two small clutch bags and two pairs of heels being all that stood between us and quivering bare skin. The driver seemed not to notice how little we wore and it was just as well his rear-view mirror wasn't able to focus on our laps where the hems of our dresses barely covered two already slightly damp areas.
Debbie paid the fare when the cab arrived outside the club and we slid out as carefully as we'd slid into the vehicle. As the car sped away I dragged her to the closed, darkened shop beside the Copa and we prevaricated over entry to the venue by checking our hair and make-up in our reflections in the windows of the store.
"Ready?" I asked at last.
I was expecting a wide-eyed grin and some frantic, nervous nodding, but Debbie instead looked almost downcast. She took my hands in hers, "I am," she said, "but only if you really are."
"I am-"
"Dallas, please," she cut in, "I really don't want you to do anything just because you only want to please me. I know it's all been fun so far but I couldn't bear the thought that you might be uncomfortable just so you... well, impress me, or you're trying to do things that you think I want even if you don't." I went to interrupt but she shushed me and carried on, "Dallas, I want you to have every bit of fun you have ever dreamed of, but I would hate myself - really, really hate myself - if I ever thought for a second that I was somehow pushing you into things that were not what you wanted, or made your feel cheap or dirty or-"
This time I managed to still her words, "Debbie! Stop fretting. Sure I'm stepping into areas I'd never have dreamed of visiting before I met you but I'm loving it all. Have you any idea of how proud I felt to be seen on that bus earlier? How proud I was to be by your side or how proud I am now, ready to play some new naughty games with you?" I gripped her hands tighter, "But I feel the same as you, okay? Are you sure you're not doing these things just to please me or tease me?"
Finally the smile appeared and she drew me into a tight hug, "No way. I'm just loving sharing all these silly, naughty games with you. And hey, when it comes to pride, that's my baby. Two days ago I thought I was a moderately happy straight chick with a moderately fun life, but I had no idea what happy and fun were all about, did I? I swear, Dallas, you've made me the happiest I've ever been."
I kissed her once, softly, "I want that for you. And if I ever say that I'm only doing something because it pleases you then just know right now, I mean that if it pleases you it pleases me. If you asked me to go in there and strip off this little dress because it would make you happy, then I'd do it simply because I know how wonderful it would make me feel seeing you so happy."
She pulled back and raised an eyebrow, "Actually, now you come to say that..."
I was about to ask - nervously - whether she was really thinking about that when she burst out laughing. I stared, open-mouthed, my own laughter bubbling up "You terror!"
"I'm getting the impression that's just what I am. But does that mean you don't love me anymore?"
"Oh you are impossible!" I giggled, "Impossible for me not to love!"
A flash of seriousness crossed her smiling features, "This is the best feeling ever."
"Yeah," I said, "The very best ever. Now, like I was saying, are you ready to go in?"
"I am now... and thanks."
"Thanks?"
"Yeah, thanks, Dallas. I feel as if I just needed to be sure that everything was what I hoped it was."
I laughed, "I think I understand that. For the third time, then, ready?"
Debbie let me go and turned towards the club's doors and the two bouncers who were huddled together sharing a cigarette, "Suddenly I'm more ready than ever."
I took her hand in mine and began to march towards the doors, my nerves beginning to jangle as I felt the night-time breeze fluttering under my tiny dress, felt the reality of what we were about to do beginning to hit home. And I wanted it all so very much now.
The bouncers barely registered our presence as we asked to be let inside, although an appreciative whistle did follow us through the doorway. Inside, the Copa was just as murky as I remembered it but that was a comfort given how short my dress had begun to feel now that there were so many eyes about.
We went straight up to the bar and I smiled at the closest bartender, one of three that I could see. I asked for two vodka tonics and we were served with the broadest of smiles, a perfect start to our night inside the shadowy club. Debbie looped her arm through mine and we retreated into the darkness to set our drinks on a tall table near the dance-floor. Sitting down, especially on the tall stools that were dotted around the area, was a no-go in the tiny dresses so we stood together and waited tremulously for the first advances.
"I bet the first guy over here asks you for a dance, Dallas," Debbie said, sipping at her drink.
"No way. You look way too stunning for me to stand a chance." I genuinely thought that was true and genuinely loved the idea. After all, she was mine when all was said and done.
Debbie shook her head and then pointed to the far side of the room where a guy was being shoved towards us by his friends, "I think we might find out in a minute."
"That was quick. Whichever one of us it turns out to be, are you sure you're okay with this?"
She snorted a laugh, "You're not going to start all that again are you?"
"Me? I thought it was you who started it!"
"Well maybe," she said, "But at least we're agreed how it will all end."
"True. In bed."
"One hundred percent accurate," Debbie agreed, "Now give me a kiss before that guy gets here - I remember your condition really well."
I hugged her and we kissed just as I'd wanted - just as I now wanted more than ever.
The embrace was interrupted by the young guy who coughed politely - remarkably politely for that place, I thought - and asked, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
Debbie found her voice first as we stepped apart, "Of course not. What's up?"