“What is it?”
She flashes a cheeky smile. “You’ll see.”
Twenty minutes later, we’re standing at the storefront of a sex shop.
My eyes pop out of my head as I look at the display window. There are three mannequins dressed in skimpy leather outfits. One is on their hands and knees. Another stands in front of that one, facing the third mannequin. Those two are posed to look like they’re mid-kiss.
Off to the side is a display of the biggest, brightest dildos and vibrators I’ve ever seen in my life.
“Surprise! We’re taking you on a naughty shopping spree!” Bella announces.
She grabs my hand and pulls me into the store. Everyone is laughing and chatting, clearly excited to be here.
I try to smile, hoping I don’t look as freaked out as I feel. My nerves are going haywire. I’ve never been in a shop like this in my life. I feel totally out of place. Like a horse in a crowd of panda bears.
My gaze darts around. There issomuch wild stuff in here. Vibrating panties. Flavored lube. Nipple clamps. Whips. Handcuffs. Some swing-type thing hanging from the ceiling.
My skin feels like it’s on fire, and my head is spinning. People actually use this stuff in the bedroom?
Bella grabs a basket and loops her free arm in mine, leading me to a wall of sex toys. “What kind of toys do you like?”
I open my mouth to speak, but all that comes out is a strangled noise. I try to cover it up with a cough.
Don’t make it any more obvious how uncomfortable you all. Just play it cool. Most twenty-four-year-olds have been to asex shop at least once in their lives. Most twenty-four-year-olds have had sex and use toys…
Shame roasts me from the inside out at how I’m not like most people my age…at how I’ve never used any of the things in this shop…because I’m ridiculously awkward and shy and I spent most of my life being the sick one no one wanted to hang out with, in and out of hospitals, so of course I missed out on stuff like this…
I clear my throat. “Oh, you know. Just the regular type of stuff,” I say, my voice pitchy.
I hold my breath, hoping my new friends don’t pick up on how weird and awkward I’m being.
Thankfully, most of them are browsing on their own, and only Bella is paying attention.
She just smiles. “So, like, a vibrator?”
“Yeah. I’m basic like that, I guess.”
She chuckles. “Oh, there’s nothing basic about a good vibrator.”
She grabs a smooth pink one off the wall and tosses it into the basket. “This one is really good. How about a dildo?” Her tone is so casual. Like she just asked if I wanted olives on my pizza.
I swallow hard. “Um, I don’t…it’s not really my thing.”
She shrugs like it’s no big deal. “So you’re a vibrator girl. That’s totally cool. So am I. Oh!” She walks over to a display set up just a few feet away. “You gotta have a butt plug.”
Dakota and Sophie, who are standing off to the side, looking at lingerie, smile and nod along.
Bella grabs a small, silicone purple toy. It’s got a bejeweled notch at the end. I’ve never seen anything like it.
She tosses it into the basket, and then a smaller toy that looks like a lipstick. “Gotta love those small, discreet toys.” She chuckles.
Ingrid, who’s standing next to us, grins at Bella. “Discreet is key,” Ingrid says. “Bella knows that better than most.”
She rolls her eyes and laughs. “God, I still can’t believe that happened.”
“What happened?” I ask.
“Braden and I flew to Phoenix for a weekend getaway, so I packed my favorite vibrator to bring with us for extra fun. And then it went off in my carry-on while we walked through security,” Bella says.
