Page 29 of Hard to Resist

“What?”

“He replied to my text about the date with a thumbs-up.”

I glance at her as we follow the curve of the shore. “Is that bad?”

“A thumbs-up ends a conversation. It doesn’t begin a romance.”

“You tell your clients to give people a chance.”

“I’m starting to regret teaching you anything.”

I laugh, and she nudges me with her elbow.

“When’s the date?”

“Tomorrow night.”

“What are you wearing?”

“I was hoping you’d help me choose.” She turns to me with a smile. “You still have that black dress with the thin straps?”

We’ve been borrowing each other’s clothes since we were little girls. We’re both five-seven and wear about the same size, though Chloe always makes my clothes look better than I do. Even now, in black leggings and fitted workout tops, she looks more put together. My hair’s tied in a messy ponytail, while the breeze lifts Chloe’s honey-blonde hair around her shoulders and somehow makes it look even better.

“You can borrow my black dress,” I say. “Or what about the green one with the low back?”

“Green’s your color. It makes me look ill.” She sighs. “I should probably buy some new underwear too.”

“For a dentist you already dislike?”

“I don’t dislike him. I dislike the thumbs-up. And I like to be prepared.”

Chloe is preparing for sex with a man she hasn’t even had dinner with. I can’t remember the last time I had any reason to prepare. My thoughts slip back to Eric and how badly I wanted him before he opened his mouth. But maybe my reaction had less to do with him than I thought. Maybe it has more to do with how long it’s been.

“How long do you think it’s normal to go without sex?” I ask.

Chloe turns to me. “I don’t think there’s a rule.”

“What would you call a long time?”