How strange, I think, that he was mine so recently. That he could’ve kissed me like that.
Not that he would’ve.
I step back, almost into the path of the playing kids, who dodge around me like I’m part of an obstacle course.
I shouldn’t have come here. I shouldn’t have done this. I feel suddenly very silly indeed.
‘We should go,’ I whisper to the group, and they nod. We file away from the Build-A-Bear area quietly.
‘So, what did we learn?’ Sam asks when we’re far enough away.
‘Only that they’re clearly very happy together,’ I reply quietly.
‘That is a woman who is getting seriously laid,’ Andi whistles, as we file down the escalator.
‘Thanks for that,’ I reply mildly.
‘Sorry girl, but come on, have you seen a more obvious sex radiance? She is getting orgaaaaaasms.’
I snort. ‘I doubt it. Justin doesn’t like giving cunnilingus.’
The three of them stop simultaneously at the bottom of the escalator. Two teenaged girls behind us grunt and angrily move around the horrified group staring at me.
Sam’s whole face is twitching. ‘What?! Are you fucking serious? You never told me this.’
Jools regards me askance. ‘Er, Liv, sweetheart, isn’t one of your mottos, “Make sure he shows upforyou and goes downonyou”?’
I shrug. ‘Well, yeah, I mean, in an ideal world, of course. But you can’t have everything in a relationship can you? I’m thirty-one, the entire world is hassling me about when I’ll settle down and have a baby. You don’t get oral sex once you’ve had kids anyway, do you?’
‘She’s not wrong.’ Andi nods from the back of the group as Jools looks gloomy. They all regard me silently.
‘God, I’m so glad I fancy women too. Keeps my options open.’ Sam breathes out.
‘When did you say your next therapy session is?’ Jools asks nicely after a moment.
‘Monday,’ I answer a touch defensively, and they all nod.
Sam takes my hand, and we head for the store exit. ‘I think it’s time you started taking it more seriously, Liv. For real now.’
I sigh, admitting defeat as we exit the busy store, zigzagging around gaggles of yet more screaming children and harried-looking parents.
‘Fine,’ I say into the din. ‘I will. I promise.’
[LIVE] EXPLORE FOLLOWING FRIENDS FOR YOU
MorningTeaVids
22 weeks ago
RELATIONSHIP EXPERT LIV CARPENTER ON MORNING TEA SCOLDS CALLER FOR COMPARING HERSELF TO HER FRIENDS
Liv:Hiya! Have we got Zaya on the line?
Caller:Yep, I’m here. Thanks for taking my call.
Liv:Of course! I—
Caller:I’m just so sick of this.
