Page 111 of Bad Run

Ever since I walked in on him taking care of business, our dynamic has changed. Not in a bad way. While he was gone, we talked and texted every day, really getting to know one another. When he came back, we slipped into the routine we had before.

But something is different about him. He’s doing things he didn’t before. Not bad things, just … different.

Like walking around without a shirt. Sleeping in just a pair of boxer briefs. Kissing me on the forehead and cheek any chance he can get. Gentle touches of my hand and body in passing. Playing with my hair or brushing it off my face.

The four of us enter the bathroom and quickly take care of business. When I exit the stall, Talia is waiting at the sink, a grin on her face and a twinkle in her silver-gray eyes.

“What’s that look for?” I ask.

“Nothing. I just noticed how you and Lance have gotten a little closer since the last time I saw you. Care to tell us how it’s going?”

“That’s the thing; I don’t know. But he’s been different lately,” I admit.

“What do you mean, different?” Grace asks.

“I don’t know how to describe it other than he’s more affectionate. Our relationship isn’t what I thought it would be.”

“What did you think it would be like?” Talia asks.

“I don’t know. More platonic, maybe?”

“The way that man is looking at you is anything but platonic,” Savannah says.

“Totally.” Talia nods in agreement.

“He definitely has hungry eyes for you. Lance looks at you the way Nico looks at me,” Savannah says with a shiver.

“You think?” I ask, gnawing on my lip.

My conversation with Juju pops into my head. I shake it off. Just because Lance has been looking at me differently lately doesn’t mean he’s in love with me. He could just be horny.

Savannah notices my reticence. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” I sigh. “I think I’m just really confused.”

Savannah nods, reaching out a hand and gripping my arm in comfort. “I totally understand what you mean. It was really hard for me to get out of my head and take a chance on Nico. I don’t know if you know this, but Nico dated my sister in college, and it was a point of contention for us. Especially for me. I didn’t want to hurt my sister, so I fought my feelings for him for so long. But when I realized what Nico and I had was so much more than a college situationship, I finally gave in to my feelings. And it was the best decision I ever made. Nico is my person. I’d do anything for him, and I know for certain he feels the same way.”

“Same here,” Talia says. She leans against the sink and sighs with a wistful look on her face. “When Cam and I first started, I was so scared to try with him. Mostly because I knew my brother would react badly, but in the end being with Cam was worth it. And my brother eventually got over it.”

“I don’t think it took you as long as me to decide.” Savannah chuckles.

“Definitely not. I mean, have you seen Cam?” Talia fans her face. “That man is fine as hell, and he’s the biggest teddy bear. It took me about two days to decide I was ready to date him. And now he’s my husband.”

“Aren’t I starting this all backward?” I ask.

“So what?” Grace grabs my hands. “It doesn’t matter how you start, just how you get there.”

“Do you think I should go for it with Lance?” I’m barely getting to know these women, but I know in my gut they wouldn’t steer me in the wrong direction.

“I think you should do what feels right for you, and I’m sure Savannah and Talia can agree there.” She looks at Talia and Savannah for support, who both nod in agreement. “See. Do what your gut is telling you to do.”

“I don’t think it’s my gut that’s doing the talking,” I mumble.

My cheeks flame with embarrassment as my newfound friends break out in a fit of giggles.

“I didn’t mean to say that out loud,” I groan.

“You’re safe here, girl.” Grace pats my back.