“Four?”
I nod and take another bite of food.
“I can’t even get one lousy guy to date me. You’re giving me relationship advice once I’m out of here, you know.”
I laugh. “I’m not good with relationships.”
“Says the girl who has four boyfriends. I’ve seen three of the four, and they’re all drop dead gorgeous. And have accents. Wait…four boyfriends. Four? Do you sleep with all of them?”
“Yes.”
“At the same time?”
“No, not all four. But two at a time, yeah…I’ve done that a few times.”
“I don’t know if I should be jealous or in awe of you. Given the fact that you’ve saved my life twice now, I think I’m going with awe.” Gemma picks up her water. “I want to be you when I grow up.”
“I come with my fair amount of issues, trust me.”
“How did that come about? Did you guys discuss things beforehand? Do they know about each other?”
“Slow down. It just kind of happened. Given what they are, their situation is unique.” I shake my head, not really sure how else to explain it. “It’s just what works for us.”
“And they don’t get jealous of each other?”
“Not really. Out of the four, I think only Jacques—the one you met last night—would want to settle down in a monogamous relationship.”
“Do you have a favorite? I know you’re not supposed to pick favorites, but we all know even moms have that one kid they love just a little more than the others.”
“I feel for them all the same. Though I’d say Jac and I connect on a deeper level.”
“It’s so unfair, you know.” She stares at me for a few seconds and then goes back to eating. She only makes it through half the sandwich before she’s full. Being starved does that to a person. Wrapping the remaining sub up, she trades it for the potion.
“I just drink this?”
“Best do it like a shot. It tastes like shit.”
She unscrews the lid.
“Wait.” I lean forward. “Do you have allergies to anything?”
“Certain types of food dye and cheap makeup, and I don’t mean that in a sarcastic way. Talc in makeup makes me break out in hives.”
“That’s it?”
“As far as I know, yes.”
“Neither are in that, so you’re good.”
She sniffs the potion and makes a face. “Bottoms up.”
* * *
“Ace?”Gemma’s hand lands on my shoulder. I blink awake, having to remind myself where I am.
“Shit. I fell asleep.”
“Not surprisingly after the night you had.”
