Holly’s snorting into my comforter. Becca slaps her ass. “Get a hold of yourself, woman.” Pointing at me, she sets me straight. “You need to get your head out of your ass. You’re afraid of fucking it up? Then don’t.”
“Amazing advice. How did I handle my life before I met you?”
Holly sits up wiping her eyes. “Let’s get this back on track. Shush!” she says, slapping a hand on Becca’s mouth, then snatching it back quickly before Becca can lick her. It looks like she’s had a lot of practice shutting up her friend.
Maybe I am glad I helped her escape her husband. Look at the confident, strong woman she’s become. This vibrant, outgoing, alive woman is here because she got out. And we’re all sitting here together because she did. Maybe things worked out the way they were supposed to.
“Evie, what do you think it would take to make Colt walk away from you?”
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re afraid of fucking this up. What actions would you have to take to make Colt walk away?” Holly presses.
“Aside from being a raging bitch?” I’ve already done that. It didn’t really push him away. But I don’t want to try it again. I don’t like that version of myself.
“Yeah. Aside from.”
“I hadn’t really gotten that far.”
She shakes her head. “You already know Colt likes you. That’s been made perfectly clear. So unless you have a personality transplant in the next few hours, that’s not the issue. So what specific things could you do to drive him away?”
“Cheating,” Becca pipes up.
“Right, that might do it, but I’m not so sure he wouldn’t just forgive her,” Holly mutters, looking lost in thought.
“I know!” Becca crows. “What about putting him down? Attacking who he is as a person? That would do it.”
Why is she so enthusiastic about this?
“This is so stupid. I don’t want to think about ways to hurt him.” I am so done with this conversation. I move into the walk-in closet, pulling out a pair of leggings and a silky pink t-shirt. Some of my old wardrobe fits me again, but the jeans are still a little baggy. I don’t want any reminders of old worn me on this date. I shut the door on the girls to get dressed, but it’s not thick enough to muffle their voices.
“So then, don’t hurt him. Simple as that.” Holly says.
“Look, he’s a good guy. You already know that.” Becca chimes in. “So maybe the better question is, how do you make sure you keep him happy? May I suggest oral?”
I choke, getting caught in the shirt over my head. I struggle longer than I’m proud of before finally pulling it into place.
“Are you serious?” I ask in disbelief, yanking the door open. “That’s your advice? Give him oral and he’ll be mine forever?”
“Actually,” Holly says casually, “let him do the giving, like multiple times a day, and you’ll never get rid of him.”
Becca and I both turn to her in shock. She smiles, leaning back on her hands. “I’m not joking.”
Becca rolls off the bed, dropping to her knees beside it. “You…are such a dirty girl. Holy fuck. You have been corrupted as hell and I am…so proud of you!” She reaches up and pinches Holly’s foot. Holly kicks back at her.
My eyes glaze over as the girls roll around, unable to get the image of Colt between my thighs - all night long - out of my head. I feel the flush covering my chest and moving up into my cheeks.
I want that. I want him. And suddenly, I’m not so scared about tonight’s date. Funny how that works. I’ll tuck that strategy in my pocket. Next time I’m anxious, I’ll get myself all worked up, and suddenly, poof, my worries are gone. Maybe not the best strategy for job interviews, but it’s a work in progress.
Drifting to the mirror, I examine my rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes. For the first time in a while, I don’t judge what I see. I don’t look for flaws. I just see…me. And she’s beautiful.
Ok, so she’s horny too. Eager to touch, to taste.
But I have a feeling Colt won’t mind a bit.
25
EVIE
