“Yes. I only know him as a sexy guy with a big mouth. Does he have any other layers?”
Nova narrowed her eyes and replied, “You didn’t seem that drunk that night.”
“I get loud and rude when I’m drunk, but I’m also like that when sober,” I explained and shrugged. “I can understand why you didn’t notice the change.”
“Did you want to spend time with Zodiac like that?”
Leaning forward, I whispered, “You mean fucking?”
“It’s just you don’t know him.”
“I knowofhim. That should count. It’s more than I can claim for my first baby daddy.” When Nova stared extra hard at the paper she was cutting, I asked, “Are you uncomfortable with sex talk?”
“I wasn’t raised to view sex as meaningless.”
“Well, I wasn’t raised to judge people,” I muttered, making her squirm. When Nova’s big eyes got cartoon sized, I smiled. “I’m just kidding. I judge people all the time. So, wait, do you think I’m a slut? Because I’m fairly certain you’ve had more sex than I have.”
“With my husband.”
“And how was that?”
“It gave me two daughters.”
“Yeah, but how many orgasms?”
Nova blushed and shook her head. “I’m not wild that way.”
“Wild like hooking up with a hot biker or wild like having orgasms?”
“Both.”
“Have you never had a single one?”
Nova’s pout made me feel guilty. I hugged her against my body and swayed.
“There, there, you’re going to find a man who makes you go wild. I promise. I’ll find you someone. Does he have to be uptight like you?”
“I’m not uptight,” Nova said, squirming out of my grip. “I’m just modest.”
“You’re aware I saw you that night, too, right? I’m fairly sure the right guy could have gotten you to spread for him with the tiniest bit of effort.”
“I wasn’t drunk.”
“No, but you are super fun on pot.”
Nova shrugged. “Yeah, but I can’t be high all the time.”
“But that doesn’t mean you can’t be fun some of the time.”
“My girls think I’m fun.”
“Yeah, but they’re going to get bigger and start having less time for you. Trust me, I’m waiting for the day when Sutter leaves Little Memphis and only returns for holidays.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. He’s a special little boy who will grow up to be an amazing man. He needs to follow his dreams. Everyone should, including you.”
“Iamfollowing my dreams.”
