I shrug. “I was browsing online at work. Max saw and asked me to buy it.”
She closes her eyes slowly. “I shouldn’t have asked.”
I place my flute gently on the coffee table next to my open laptop, releasing a breath before turning to April. “I’m so sorry I ran out on your special night.”
She waves a hand dismissively. “It’s fine. You don’t need to apologize. Everyone was there for the duration of dinner and that’s what matters. The guys were a little tipsy by the time they finished their meals, anyway. Anna, Mason, and Max went home shortly after you did.”
She pulls her long auburn hair over one shoulder. “Speaking of—Did you notice what was going on between Anna and Mason?”
I nod thoughtfully. “There was definitely tension between them at the dinner table.”
“They aren’t affectionate with each other anymore.” April’s eyes turn sad and she worries her lip. “Mason never used to be able to keep his hands off her.”
“Have you spoken to Anna?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “No. I didn’t want to pry. But next time, let’s bring it up.”
I nod. “Absolutely.”
“So, why did you call me over? Obviously, I’m always happy to see you, but you sounded worried. What happened?”
“Ugh,” I say, rolling my eyes. “After we fucked in your guest bedroom—”
“Ewww.” She scrunches her nose.
“As I was saying…” I tell her about what Max said afterward, how I took it as rejection and stormed out. I tell her about the apology coffee from Lance’s coffee cart and demand for a dinner date. By the time I finish, she’s wearing an expression I can’t quite translate.
“What do you think?” I ask.
“I think this is turning into something more than a simple fling a lot faster than I’d guessed it would.”
“No, it’s not,” I lie. “It’s still casual, I swear. We’re still getting to know each other.”
Her look says she’s not buying it. “Casual is when you met that guy at Ruby Lounge and he took you back to his to play with wax and it turned out it wasn’t sex wax.”
“Oh yeah, Moby. I remember him well. Ironically, he was a real dick,” I say, reminiscing. “It was an actual candle. I poured the scorching wax directly onto his balls.”
“You had to ice his nutsack while he sobbed for forty-five minutes and you never saw him again—that’scasual.”
“So?” I ask, hoping she gets to the point soon.
“Gemma, Max tracked down your favorite coffee shop. He’s taking you to dinner. He’s asking you to buy…” She whispers the next part. “A butt plug.”
“Jesus Christ, April—this isn’t a nunnery. You can saybutt plug.”
“All I’m saying is, this isn’t casual.”
I top up our champagne, avoiding her eyes. “It’s not serious either.”
“Then what is it?”
“It’s…” I trail off, unable to finish my sentence, let alone understand my own thoughts and emotions.
“I’m not saying what’s happening between you and Max is bad. I actually think it’s lovely. I saw the way he looked at you on Saturday when he thought no one else was watching. But I think you both need to admit to yourselves that this isn’t throwaway sex. Gemma…” She places her hand on my knee. “You’re allowed to like someone.”
“I don’t like Max.” My words feel thin and brittle.
She tilts her head. “Why are you so against dating and having feelings for someone?”
