“On to the reason why we’re here.” Summer turns to me. “I know you think you’re unlucky in love, and I’ll admit Doug was a truly terrible date, but we’re going to change that.”
“And what do you propose?” Raven asks skeptically.
Bella claps her hands excitedly. “I asked Lucy to make a list.”
“The list of qualities you’re looking for in a man that I suggested you make?” Raven asks.
“Even better. She made a sex list!” Bella says.
“Keep your voice down,” Summer scolds.
I chuckle as I reach into my purse hanging off the back of my chair. A tiny prick of panic hits me when I can’t find the paper, and I grab the purse, setting it on the table so I can dig through it. Oh my God, where is it? “Umm, guys…”
Summer looks wary. “What is it?”
“I can’t find my list.”
Bella takes my purse and dumps it out on the table. “Sorry, I feel like this will be faster than us watching you root around in that thing.”
Taking a quick scan of the contents, my worst fears are confirmed. “It’s not here.”
Raven takes the empty purse, comically holding the sides open as she dumps out nothing but air and a few Cheez-It crumbs. “Let’s not panic. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation.”
My head whips to her. “It didn’t sprout legs and walk away!” Deep breaths. They’re trying to help. This is not their fault.
“Let’s retrace your steps. Where did you see it last?” Bella asks.
My breathing picks up as I try to piece together what could have happened. “I made it the night you suggested it, and I stuffed it in my purse so Micah wouldn’t find it.”
Bella nods. “Understandable. He’s the strongest reader in my class.”
“But it’s not in your purse.”
“I know that, Raven!” I snap. Bella rests a hand on my arm. “Sorry, I’m just freaking out.”
“I would be too,” Raven says. “But keep thinking. Would the boys have gone through your purse?”
“No. They haven’t before, but there’s a first time for?—”
Holy fucking shit.
My hands start shaking and I clasp them together trying to control my nerves. “My purse fell when I dropped the coffees, and everything spilled out.”
Summer’s mouth drops open as if she’s already figured out what I just did. “Hot Irish firefighter has your sex list!” She immediately scans the room for little ears.
Raven and Bella’s mouths fall open, and I drop my head in my hands. “This is not happening.”
Bella squeezes my arm tighter. “Please tell me you didn’t put your name on it.”
My head pops up. “Of course my name was on it,” I say through gritted teeth. “I teach second grade and I tell my students to label everything, so yes, my name is at the top of that thing.”
“What ifhedidn’t find it?”
My eyes shoot to Raven’s. “Why would you say that? Do you want my anxiety to spiral?”
“I was just going to suggest that it blew away and no one found it, but what if Ned found it?” Raven says.
“Oh my God, that man’s a bigger gossip than my shitty neighbor Mrs. Johnson!” Bella cries, and then her eyes dart to mine. “Want me to suss him out? Feel around and see if he knows anything?”
