“Judging by the dirty texts Luke sent me earlier, it’s going to happen again. It’s hard right now because we’re both so busy.”
“Right. Which reminds me, did the Earthly Charm girls commit?”
“The contract is signed,” I said.
“Between the run-in with Felix the Fuck, sleeping with Luke, and landing another event, we should be drinking champagne. But cheers.” She lifted her glass, and we clinked, then sipped.
“Thanks. It’s sort of surreal to be on good terms with him after all this time, never mind sleeping with him.”
“I’m so happy for you. Maybe your wedding will be the next one.”
“Bite your tongue,” I said, laughing. “It was one night.”
“So far.”
“So far,” I repeated.
“That’s how West and I got started. Isn’t that how every couple starts? With one night?”
“You have to start somewhere, I guess. But you’re way ahead of yourself. I’m only now getting the swing of running my own life, you know? I don’t want to rush into something.”
“I do. You’re doing great. Your business is taking off. You’re free from thinking you’re Felix the Fuck’s daughter. Your mom is trying to make peace. And you’ve got this hot farmer boyfriend who knows how to plow.”
I laughed. “That pun is Chloe-worthy. He’s not my boyfriend though.”
“Yet.”
I shook my head. “I’m not ready. I don’t know how to do that. I’ve never had a real relationship, so we’re just going to call it sleeping together for now.”
“I was in those same shoes, my friend, just a couple of months ago. Besides, you’ve already survived your first fight.”
“You mean the eighteen-year one?”
“Is there another?”
Shaking my head again, I said, “Just the one. On a serious note…” I glanced out the window, where the lake was dark except for the light at the base of Presley’s dock. “I’m scared.”
“What are you scared of specifically? Getting hurt?”
“Well, that too, but…” I took another cookie and broke off the llama’s head to eat first. “I’m just figuring out this independence thing. Not relying on anyone. Not being accountable to anyone but me.” I popped the llama head in my mouth, chewed, and swallowed it. “I’m kind of loving it, you know?”
“Preaching to the choir, my friend,” she said. “Good news though. You can be in a relationship and maintain your independence. Look at me.”
“What happens when West and the girls move in?”
“I can’t wait,” she said beaming. “The girls’ rooms are almost ready.”
“And you’ll be a full-time stepmom.”
“Slightly terrifying, but I love those girls,” Presley said. “I’ll still have my business and my friends and my nest egg and all the parts of independent me. I’ll just be sleeping with my sexy husband at night.”
Her expression told me exactly how she felt about that—overjoyed.
I wondered if I could ever find the same kind of balance she had. But that was getting ahead of myself. I might need a crash course in trusting someone. “For now I’ll just worry about when we can sneak more time together.”
“You’re right. Baby steps.” She set her wineglass down. “Before I forget, you’re invited to Thanksgiving with us if you don’t have somewhere else to go.”
“Thanks. Loretta invited me to the Diamonds’ dinner too.”
