Page 25 of Expiry Dating

“Yeah.” She buried her head deeper into him. “You know, if you do ever wanna talk about what happened that day, then I’m here.”

Brady dipped his head and planted a kiss on top of her hair. “Thank you, sweetness.”

They continued to watch the documentary in silence. Alice lasted about twenty more minutes before her lids were too heavy to keep open, and she peacefully drifted to sleep.

***

“Ali? Ali?” Lily called out to her again. “Earth to Ali, your drink is ready!”

Alice shook her head, trying to dispel the weekend flashbacks that were making appearances at the most inconvenient times.

“Sorry.” She picked up her coffee from the counter and followed her sister to the table by the window.

They were at Beano’s, one of the only cafés in Bluestone that didn’t judge her when she wanted fancy-flavoured coffee. It was probably the trendiest place in town and attracted both locals and tourists. It had that whole hipster vibe going on: exposed brick walls, chunky wooden furniture, and low-hanging lights.

“What’s going on with you lately? You’re being weirder than usual.” Lily asked as she took a seat on a wooden stool.

That’s a good frigging question. What the hell is going on with me?

“Nothing. I think I’m still trying to get into the routine of having a job again, that’s all.” Lies! All lies.

Despite the vague answer, her sister gave Alice a pass and didn’t press her. Just as Lily launched back into telling Alice more about the ranch expansion, her phone vibrated. Pulling it from her bag, she had to stop herself from smiling when she saw who it was from.

Brady: I miss you, sweetness. Can I see you tonight?

It had only been a few days since she’d woken up in his bed, but during that time, he’d messaged her every day. On Monday, it was to tell her not to make any weekend plans. On Tuesday, it was to let her know he was pulling a double shift, otherwise he would be at her door. And today, it was apparently to make mid-week plans.

Alice: 8 p.m., your place?

She wished she was stronger. She really did. But that man was damn talented.

“Who are you texting?” Lily narrowed her emerald eyes at her.

“Oh, it’s Luce. She’s having guy trouble.”

“Oh yeah? She okay?”

This is my chance.

“Well, actually, she’s in this sort of casual, sex-only relationship with this dude, and she’s been asking my advice. Have you ever done the whole casual thing?”

Alice already knew her sister hadn’t, but that didn’t mean she didn’t want Lily’s take on it.

“Nah, you know me, Ali. I find it difficult to separate sex and feelings. Is she struggling with that too?”

Yes. “No, it’s just she’s never done something like this before and wanted to know the rules.”

“The rules?” Lily raised a brow.

“Yeah, y’know ... is it okay to spend the night? And how much talking is too much talking? Things like that. I’ve not done casual either, so I’m not really much help. Any thoughts I can pass on to Luce?”

“Hmm.” Lily tapped her fingers on her cup as she pondered her answer. “Well, I guess spending the night is okay if she wants morning sex. The talking thing is a bit odd. I don’t see the issue with having a conversation with the poor man, I mean, she is having sex with him after all.” She took a sip of her coffee before continuing. “I’m no expert, but casual or not, it’s still a relationship. And just like any other relationship, it’s about what makes the people in them happy that matters. So as long as they are both comfortable with what they’re doing, I don’t think they have to worry about any arbitrary rules.”

Alice shifted her weight on the chair, hoping like hell she wasn’t blushing. “Thanks, sis, I’ll um ... I’ll tell her that. I think it will really help.”

***

Alice didn’t know why she was freaking out. She’d seen him naked, and he was now on a very short list of people who’d seen her naked too. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on Brady’s door and tried her very best not to look half as nervous as she felt.

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