“And you know it’s really weird how you’re able to do that.”
“What?”
“Whatever aura, vibey shit you do.”
The familiar chime of the door sounds again, the delicate ring spreading a joyful grin across my friend’s face.
“Welcome in.”
“Hi. Oh, hi!” Dawn registers me and waves. “Got your message about speech prep. Happy to help. And I’ve been talking to local businesses all day for our project. Also, you areglowing.”
“Thank you,” Gwen replies, cradling her still-flat belly.
“Wait, you’re pregnant?”
They both let out uneasy chuckles.
“Uh, yeah. I am.”
“Well, you’re both glowing, then.”
My best friend examines me closer, and heat travels up my neck. “Your skin’s all dewy,” she says, “and you have this natural blush thing going on. Did you get a massage?”
“No,” Dawn says, “that’s the face of someone who got dicked down.”
Gwen’s head whips to me, and her eyes bulge. “You did not.”
“Before we jump to any conclusions—” I say, but Gwen cuts me off.
“You had sex withMax?”
“Hello?” I gesture to Dawn, whose mouth forms a scandalized O shape. “What part about not talking about this with anyone did you forget?”
“Ugh, sorry.” She covers her face as if she can hide from the mistake.
“An orgasm would explain the glow.” Dawn nods in approval. “Good for you.”
“No, not good,” Gwen says to Dawn. “There is a lot of baggage with him.”
“We don’t need to discuss my baggage. Just because not all of us were lucky enough to find our life partner like you have, doesn’t mean—”
“You’re right, I’m sorry.” She puts her hands in prayer position, resting her fingertips against her lips. “But Max?Max. The same Max you hopped on a—”
“Things have changed since eight years ago.”
“Hang on.” Dawn steps between us and holds up her hands like an MMA referee. “I don’t want to get in the way, so I can leave. But if I’m going to stick around, I’m gonna need a drink.”
And this is how I end up sitting at a table used for tarot readings in a dim back room of Gwen’s store, with her on one side and Dawn on the other. Flickering candles with earthy, spicy scents make the space feel mysterious yet comfortable. The crystal shop has wine and sparkling grape juice for special events, so we’ve each got a glass as we perch on floor pillows.
After I fill them in on last night, Gwen holds her juice, mouth gaping. Dawn, on the other hand, giggles into her wine.
“Multiple orgasms and pepperoni pizza after?” Dawn sighs wistfully. “Some women really can have it all.”
Maybe it’s the buzziness of my second brimming glass of pinot—or that I just shared every detail of my sex life—but I am so glad she’s here to balance out Gwen’s protectiveness.
“He knew what he was doing then?” Dawn asks.
“Mhmm.” I smile at Dawn, then at Gwen, who appears to be processing everything. “You’re awfully quiet.”
