Sighing, I gave them the abridged version of our meet-cute.
“Fast,” Salem said. “This is fast.”
“Agreed,” I said. “Do I need to remind you of how fast you and Cas got together?”
Salem pointed to her belly. “No reminder needed.”
“That’s different though,” Hadley said.
“Why?” I demanded.
“Because you’re Poet,” she said. “And until a few months ago, we didn’t even know you were a virgin. And now you’re not. That’s a big deal.”
“Very big deal,” Salem said.
“When it’s right, it’s right,” I said, looking at Hadley. “You know that better than any of us.”
“The way he was with you,” Hadley said. “So familiar. So solicitous. It’s like you two are . . . Salem, help me out.”
“You’re together. Liketogethertogether,” Salem said. “I’m right, right?”
I took a deep breath and nodded. “I really wanted to wait until tonight when we talk to Wyn to tell you the details, but I’ve decided to stay in Huckleberry Hill.”
Hadley grimaced. Salem’s jaw clenched.
“Now what.” My brows slashed together. “I thought you’d be happy I decided to stay.”
“You’re staying here for a relationship,” Hadley said, her lips pressing into a line. “A relationship that just started. Where your body is involved now in a way it never has been before, which means your heart will follow.”
“You sure this is a good idea?” Salem asked.
“Stop it,” I said, my tone lowering.
“Stop what?” Salem inquired. “Stop looking out for you? Stop asking the questions you haven’t asked yourself?”
“How do you know I haven’t asked them myself?” I demanded. “For the record, I decided to stay before I went to bed with him. And even if I didn’t, you guys are real dirtbags for making me feel like garbage about this.”
“We just don’t want you to get hurt,” Hadley said quickly.
“And you think Brooks would hurt me?”
“He’s the first man you’ve slept with,” Hadley said. “There are such complicated emotions that go along with that.”
“What are my options?” I asked. “Go back to New York? Try to find someone who makes me feel as safe as Brooks? That’s what it was all about, but I didn’t know that. I thought there was something wrong with me. Why I couldn’t go through with sleeping with someone. But there’s nothing wrong with me. I’m not built for hook-up culture. Hell, I’m not even built for dating culture. I don’t like it. I don’t want it. But Brooks . . . he makes me . . . he lets me beme.”
They were silent for a moment and then Salem asked, “What does he want? Do you know?”
“Yes, I know what he wants,” I said, angling my chin.
“Aside from you,” Hadley said. “What does he want?”
“Babies.”
Salem’s eyes widened. “You’ve already talked about that?”
“Yes.”
Hadley collapsed back into her seat. “And I thoughtIwas built differently.”
