“As friends?”
“Yes, Tasha, as friends who used to be something else but will not ever again.” Greta grimaced. “You only want more when you drink, and I don’t want anything from you. Not now.”
“Are you seeing someone?”
An image of Lee flashed into her memory, but all Greta said was “Not really your business.”
“Fair.”
They said their goodbyes, and Greta dropped her phone to her lap. Tasha was far more together than when they split, but every few months, she called. They hadn’t seen each other in months—and hadn’t landed in bed in longer. Somehow it felt different, using an app to meet strangers and sex with your ex. One felt like being unable to move forward, and Greta was determined not to do that. Not again. No matter how lonely she felt.
When her phone buzzed again, Greta assumed it was Tasha a drink later. So she ignored it to continue reading. The autumn chill outside wasn’t enough to make her crank the heat in her apartment yet, so she had taken to editing in her bed under her thick duvet. Sheintended to have her edits mostly finished before she met her author on Monday next week, so she had her assistant print the manuscript, and now she was working on it old-school—pen on paper. That was how she’d read the first draft, the one she’d preempted. That made it feel strangelyrightto work on this draft of the book the same way.
The phone buzzed yet again. This time, when Greta looked at the message and saw it was from Lee, Greta couldn’t stop the wide smile that took over her face. For someone who insisted she didn’t talk, Lee had sent a chatty message.
Lee:One of my friends just came out to me.
Lee:Are you there?
Marie:Was she asking for you to…
Lee:No. She pointedly said she didn’t want to fuck me.
Marie:Foolish woman.
Lee:Yeah?
Marie:Definitely. I want to fuck you.
Greta waited for a reply to her bold statement. Her statement wasn’t exactly a surprise.I’d take the train to DC for just a few hours with her.She’d almost admitted as much in person when they’d been in DC, but it was almost a minute later when the response from Lee came in.
Lee:Favorite sex act?
Marie:Depends on my partner. I’m not shy.
Lee:Meaning?
Marie:What do you want? I’ll probably try it unless it’s degrading or dangerous.
Lee:We’re at a party. Fancy catered mess. Are you wearing panties?
Marie:Did you ask me not to?
Lee:Yes.
Marie:Bare and in a skirt.
Lee:Good girl. Where do you want your reward?
Marie:Dealer’s choice. Will you fuck me in the library? Behind the shed when they could hear us? Or is your hand under the table and between my legs?
Lee:Best puzzle game *ever* right here.
Marie:Ha! Better if it was in person. Naughty board games? I could do that too.
Lee:Coincidentally I’m catching an early train to the city tomorrow. Wanna play a game with me?
Marie:You’ll be in MY city earlier? Name your place. I’m there. Name your game. I’ll consider it.
