Cherry had already decided not to tell Stacia about Russ. Not yet.
Maybe not ever.
Whatever was happening with Russ Sutton might not even turn into anything real. Cherry had seen him four times so far—including the night they hooked up—and they hadn’t had sex again. She wasn’t exactly sure why not. Maybe Russ had taken her seriously when she’d said that she didn’t usually rush into sex. Or maybehefelt like they’d rushed in.
Maybe Russ was trying to figure out whether he actually wanted Cherry. In a regular, ongoing way. During daylight.
She couldn’t hold that against him. That was just dating, right?
“I just don’t want you to waste any more young, hot years on Tom,” Stacia was saying. “You gave him plenty.”
“Look,” Cherry said. “I’m not wallowing. I promise.”
“Cherry—”
“I’m seeing someone.” It came out before Cherry could stop herself. “I mean, Ihaveseen someone. A few times.”
Stacia’s eyes got huge. Her mouth dropped open, full of spinach dip.“What?”She leaned over the counter to grab Cherry’s arm. (Still with that long torso.) “Who?!”
“It’s so new,” Cherry said. “There’s nothing to talk about yet.”
Stacia pinched Cherry’s arm.“Who!”
“Ow.Stacia!”
Stacia let go. “Cherry, you can’t not talk to me about this. I’m your oldest friend.”
Cherry wrinkled her nose. “Are you? I’ve known Jena since grade school...”
“You never even talk to Jena. She was a bitch to you at your wedding.”
Cherry took a breath. “I... um... Okay—”
“Wait,” Stacia said, like she’d just thought of something. “Is it a guy?”
“Yes.”Cherry goggled her eyes. “Why would you even ask that?”
“I don’t know...” Stacia shrugged. “You have a lot of LBGTQIA friends.”
“Do you even know what all those letters stand for?”
“Yes. I did a seminar at the clinic—so, suck it. Now, tell me where you met this guy. Did you join the apps?” She stuck out her bottom lip. “You told me that you’d let me take pictures for your profile when you joined the apps.”
“I didn’t join the apps. It was someone I already knew—”
“Oh god, it’s that married guy who always flirts with you during meetings! This is a terrible idea, Cherry.”
“Stacia, no. Stop guessing. It’s—” Cherry made a face like she was about to drop a drinking glass on a tile floor. “It’s Russ.”
Stacia didn’t react. “Russ who?”
Cherry sighed. “Russ. Russ Sutton.”
Stacia pulled her chin into her neck. “MyRuss?”
Cherry nodded.
“Oh my god.” Stacia’s eyes were big again. “Really? He works in the mayor’s office now.”
