She sighs. “I never would have pinned Max Weber as a dirty-talking type.”
“People can surprise us.”
“I’m not surprised one bit,” Dawn says. “He seemedintoyou. Buy a collar and teach that man to bark on command. Woof woof, baby.”
“He was a complete simp for her in high school.”
“You should fuck him again,” Dawn says flatly, pouring us both more wine before filling Gwen’s glass up with juice.
“Not happening,” I say with bravado. “We’re keeping things professional.”
“He called you a good girl, and you came on his face.” Dawn scoffs into her drink. “Good luck with that.”
“We are,” I reply, with a confidence that turns the beverage bitter in my mouth. “There’s so much riding on this pop-up. The whole point was to get it out of our systems, and we did.”
“Multiple times.” Dawn hoots and kicks up one foot.
“Are you freaking out?” Gwen asks and rests a compassionate hand on my arm. I know what she’s asking—Are you freaking out because, in case you forgot, you had feelings for him too, once upon a time?
“No.” I look right at Gwen, putting her—and maybe some of my own—concerns at bay. “I think I’ve been in survival mode with The Mirage for a while, so honestly, it was nice to do something for me.”
“I’m sure.” She searches my face. “Well, it’s not the self-care I would have planned for you, but orgasms can really nourish the second chakra. They’re good for the soul.”
“And so is getting to share all this with you. I promise to make more time with the baby on the way.”
“I won’t argue about that. So…you’ll go back to normal with him? That’s the plan?” Gwen cradles her head in her hands. I love that even when I decide on something she doesn’t entirely agree with, she doesn’t guilt me.
“You two are supposed to be working together,” Dawn says.
“And living together,” Gwen adds.
I shrug their worries away. “We’ll go on like it never happened. Simple as that.”
Last night was a lot of things. Some of the best sex of my life. Impulsive. Insanely hot. My masturbation material forthe foreseeable future. But we agreed we’d move forward like adults, and I can do that. Max can too…other than a few gazes this morning that lasted milliseconds too long, and one of those painfully awkward trying-to-step-out-of-the-way-but-accidentally-running-into-each-other moments in the kitchen, we’re good.
“You need to be more proactive.” Gwen taps her finger against the table. “Otherwise, someone’s feelings will get hurt. Meet in a public place and do something thoroughly unsexy so there’s no temptation to hook up again. Set a new precedent. Reiterate your ground rules.”
“Unsexy?” I ask.
“You know.” Gwen waves her hand in the air, conjuring suggestions. “Assemble IKEA furniture. Watch a war documentary. Go to the DMV.”
“That’s insane.”
“It’s not a bad idea,” Dawn says as she nods her head. “I’m Team Fuck Again, but I respect there’s history there. And if anyone can attest—from personal experience—that mixing business and pleasure can go wrong, it’s me. So if this guy has liked you as long as Gwen says, she’s probably right. Make sure you’re clear on things, you know?”
I hadn’t considered that. If I’m feeling this conflicted over what we did, I can only guess what he’s experiencing. I’d hate to toy with his emotions.
“I’m happy you got laid and that it was good,” Gwen says, nudging my knee with hers. “But this is Max we’re talking about. When the time comes to let him go, will you be able to?”
“Yes,” I insist. “He is officially out of my system.”
Just Daisy. Just my Daisy.
I try to chase the image out of my brain, but he’s all I can think about the rest of the night.
Chapter Nineteen
Daisy, 17 Years Old
