“I’m not blushing, it’s the wine.”
“You’ve had like three sips.”
“It’s very strong wine.”
Hannah opened her mouth, probably to argue further, but Maya chose that moment to speak up.
“Can we talk about how I heard my parents having sex last night?”
The conversation pivoted so fast I got whiplash.
“Oh no,” Annie said.
“Oh YES,” Hannah corrected. “Tell us everything.”
“There’s nothing to tell except that I’m scarred for life and I need to move out immediately.” Maya took a long drink of wine. “I’ve been back home for six months, and they’ve been very sweet about it, but they’re also apparently in their second honeymoon phase and I cannot deal.”
“How bad was it?” Cassidy asked.
“I heard my dad call my mom ‘his naughty girl.’” Maya’s voice was flat. “I will never recover.”
“Oh god.” Poppy covered her mouth.
“I tried to drown it out with a pillow, but I heard EVERYTHING.”
“That’s awful,” Samara was clearly trying not to laugh.
“It’s traumatizing. I need to find my own place, but I’ve been looking for weeks and everything’s either too expensive or in a terrible location or has a weird smell.”
Mia glanced at me, then back at Maya, something shifting in her expression. “You should move in here.”
I blinked. “Huh?”
“Into my old room.” Mia’s voice was soft but certain. “I’m not using it anymore, Em hates living alone, and you need to escape your parents’ second honeymoon. It’s perfect.”
My chest went tight. Of course Mia would think of this. Of course she’d offer up her space to help both of us.
Maya’s head snapped toward me. “Would that be okay with you?”
I didn’t even need to think about it. The relief that flooded through me was almost embarrassing. “Are you kidding? Fuck yes, that would be okay with me. I mean, if you want to. No pressure. But the room’s there and you’re welcome to it. And I promise you won’t hear any sex noises,” I added with a wry smile.
Mia turned to Maya. “What do you say, Maya?”
She set down her wine glass and, before I knew what was coming, launched herself at both of us, nearly knocking me out of the armchair with the force of her hug. “Yes. Oh my god, yes. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Mia said, squeezing her tight.
Hannah raised her glass. “Okay, NOW we have something to toast to. To new roommates and escaping parental sex noises.”
“To Emily’s hot neighbor,” Samara added with a grin.
“To cheese crystals,” Annie said, ever the peacemaker.
“To all of it,” Cassidy agreed.
EMILY
High-pitched voices drifted over the fence, followed by the distinctive squeak of the trampoline springs. Audrey and Alice were out there, their giggles punctuating the quiet morning.
