Chapter 11
Nick
JULY | Tarot: Queen of Swords
When I came to this wedding, I never imagined my night would end with me, a person without a uterus, asking for pads and tampons at the front desk of a fancy resort. But I also didn’t imagine I’d meet some tall blonde woman with freckles, two dimples, and green eyes who would somehow get me into an emotional chokehold either, but there we were.
As I headed back for the bathrooms designated for our event,I saw Jessie and Mikey completely going at it in an alcove by the bathrooms. Like, it looked like Jessie’s hand was down Mikey’s pants. I couldn’t resist the chance to give them a little well-deserved shit.
“Get a room!” I called as I went by.
A harried Annie emerged from the bathroom. I held out the handfuls of period products and her heels. “I got you some stuff.”
Her expression softened. “Oh, they had some in there. But thanks. I’ll need these later.” She took them from me, standing awkwardly. “Well, you should probably get back to the wedding. I can have your jacket cleaned and mail it back to you.”
“Oh. Um, I think I was about done anyway. Do you want to . . . hang out?”
Her eyes cast downward. “It’s not going to be a repeat of last night, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Most guys probably would think of that. And I did want to make up for the fact that she didn’t get off the night before. But that wasn’t the most important thing. “I was thinking maybe I could steal some slices of wedding cake and we could hang out and eat them.”
Annie’s smile was soft. “I’ll go get changed. Want to meet me in my room?”
* * *
Annie and I were showered and changed into lounge clothes, our cake plates in our laps on her bed. She was obviously gorgeous all dolled up for the wedding, but no makeup, all freckles Annie in a t-shirt and a pair of short shorts was just as amazing. It was simultaneously cozy and nerve-wracking, just the two of us hanging out without our friends.
“Wonder if Guy and Kitty will get to eat the cake?” Annie asked. “Brides rarely do.”
“Looked like Mikey and Jessie were about to eat some cake bythe bathroom,” I joked.
“I saw that! Guess the wedding got them all riled up. Is he pretty good to her?”
I nodded. “Way good. They’re perfect for each other. Her attitude keeps his attitude in check.”
“That’s good. I only know her, and then just from the bachelorette. She’s cool though. If I lived in L.A., we’d probably be good friends.”
I puffed out my lip. “Another reason to move to L.A. sounds like.”
She snorted. “If only I could just run away to L.A. I’m headed back into a mess. Roger’s not going to take me dumping him well.”
I glanced over at her. “Sorry. That sucks.”
Annie sighed. “Made my bed. I have to lie in it.”
I set my cake plate on the nightstand, taking hers as well. “You wanna . . . lie in this bed?”
“You don’t take my period as a sign that this isn’t supposed to happen?”
I cocked my head. “Annie, I see blood all the time. Your period doesn’t scare me.” I patted the bed. “Come on. Snuggle me?”
Her lips turned up. “Yeah, okay.”
She scooted forward, tangling her legs with mine and resting her head on my inner bicep as she laid down. “What should we talk about?”
I chuckled. “I’m not sure. But this is nice.”
She thought for a moment. “How about . . . ooh! I know. What got you into magic?”
