Page 36 of That Secret Something

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Her eyes crinkled as she stretched. “Sure you don’t.” Her gaze pulled over me, slowly taking me in. “Good morning.”

“Good morning. How did you sleep?” I let out a soft laugh at the absurdity of it all. Of her. Of us. In my bed. Exchanging formalities when she’d made me unravel around her fingertips many times last night.

“I slept very, very good.” She fought a yawn with the back of her hand. “What about you?”

“Also very good.” I decided not to mention that when I remembered what had happened last night, panic gripped all my insides and tried to make little balloon animals out of them. I sucked in a deep breath. What was the protocol here? Make her breakfast? Ask her to leave? I’d never had a one-night stand before. Never mind with someone like Rebecca.

My breathing quickened, tingles beginning in my arms. Not now, Jess. Not now.

A soft hand caressed my cheek, and I opened my eyes, not realising I’d shut them.

“Are you okay?” The concern in Rebecca’s eyes tugged at my chest. “What’s going on in there?”

I took a few more steady breaths before answering. “I…have never done anything like this before.”

I half-expected her to pull away, disgusted by my lack of sexual exploration, but she barely reacted. A part of me was almost offended by the lack of surprise.

“That’s okay,” she said instead. “Nothing to worry about.”

“Well, that’s not exactly true, is it?”

Lily’s face popped into my head, and then everything unravelled. Bridesmaid-dress shopping. Today. This morning.

“Oh my god!” I bolted upright, nearly throwing my glasses from my face.

Rebecca yelped with surprise. “Jesus Christ, Jess! Are you okay?”

“We’ve got to be at the bridal shop at 9:30.” I flung the duvet off me and stumbled to my feet, almost tripping over Rebecca’s discarded jeans on the carpet. “What time is it now?” Without waiting for an answer, I pushed through the door into the open kitchen and retrieved my phone from the floor.

Shit, shit, shit. Please don’t be late. Please don’t be late.

I swiped my phone open, and my heart jolted.

Six messages from Lily. 9:16.

“Rebecca, we’ve got to be there in fifteen minutes!” Oh god. Oh god. What would people think when we turned up together? Where did Rebecca’s parents think she was last night? Did they know we were together?

“Jess, it’s fine.” Rebecca appeared in the doorway with her phone, completely naked except for her black boxer briefs. If I wasn’t about to enter full panic mode, my jaw would’ve fallen off its hinges.

“It’s not fine.” I waved my phone at her. “Have you seen the time? Come on!”

“Jess. Read the messages.”

Rebecca’s lack of desperation and panic forced me to take a moment and do what she said.

Lily: Bridesmaid appointments cancelled today

Mum’s friend sent me this website with a huge sale on so gonna order some and try those

Weddings are freakin expensive

Sorry for late notice

Enjoy your Sunday! Xxxx

I read the messages three times to ensure there was no confusion. We weren’t going to be late. We weren’t going to have to behave awkwardly around Lily or her family at all. Not yet, at least.

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