She’d returned just as Charlotte carefully stood, not wanting to let any of the liquid get into the soft, comfortable material of Sutton’s couch, even as she stood for a moment and didn’t quite know what to do with herself.
Lucy came running back, presenting Charlotte with a towel, looking so solemn and sincere as she did so. “Here you go! It’s one of the good, fluffy ones. And, um, maybe you can wear some of my mama’s pants!”
Charlotte had paused at that, automatically about to refuse even as the thought sent a charge right through her at the idea of wearing something that belonged to Sutton. She should refusebecauseof that reason, honestly.
But…
It wasn’t as though Charlotte had come here with the intention of needing to change her clothing, so she didn’t have anything else to wear. The juice had completely soaked through her pants, so unless she wanted to wear these and look like she’d had herself an accident, then she either had to change into Sutton’s clothing or walk around in her underwear, which was certainly not an option with Lucy here.
So, biting at her lip, she texted Sutton.
Charlotte—7:56 p.m.
Small emergency that includes my pants being covered in juice. Would it be possible to borrow some of yours?
Sutton—7:56 p.m.
Emergency?
Charlotte—7:57 p.m.
By emergency, I mean everything and everyone is fine, by the way.
She watched as Sutton read the message almost immediately… and then waited. Bubbles appeared and then disappeared. And then appeared and disappeared. And again, until finally?—
Sutton—7:59 p.m.
What happened?
She was going to save the wholeI gave your daughter a Nintendo Switch, I hope that’s all rightconversation until later.
Charlotte—8:00 p.m.
Nothing big. Like I said, just a spill. Sorry, if it’s weird. I just don’t have anything else to wear
Sutton—8:03 p.m.
No. Not weird. At all. It only makes sense!
Of course. Of course you can borrow something, no big deal. Any lounge pants I have are in the dresser in my bedroom, bottom right drawer. Help yourself. Of course
It seemed like a little bit more “of course” than Charlotte was willing to bet was really natural, but she was feeling something similar to what Sutton must be feeling.
Charlotte—8:04 p.m.
Great. Thanks. I’ll see you when you get home
…wearing your clothes.
The shock of it vibrated right through Charlotte’s body. She’d had sex with Sutton weeks ago, and the echoes of that touch still took a concentrated effort tonotthink about in the name of friendship on a regular basis.
But wearing someone’s clothing was a different kind of intimacy.
In many ways, Charlotte didn’t consider sex to necessarily equal intimacy. She’d had sex with many women, both before and after Sutton, but she’d never shared those levels of intimacy with anyone else.
Taking a deep breath, she moved to the only door that was closed, curiosity, excitement, and, oddly, a bit of nerves coursing through her. Utterly ridiculous, she knew, but…
She opened the door and paused to take it in.
