Page 52 of Lucy and Her Wicked Three

I swing open the door with a grin on my face. "You wouldn't dare. You'd break a nail."

"I should take offense to that, but it's true. I would, however, call any one of my booty calls who are strapping enough to hold my ass up and fuck me against a wall, and I've no doubt they could break your door down for me. Who are you?" Portia asks Noah before waving her hand, "Whatever, I don't care. Lucy, you have some 'splainin to do."

I follow Portia into the kitchen who pauses momentarily when she spots Silas in the living room, but keeps going. She reaches into the fridge to pull out a seltzer. "Tomorrow is Sunday. You are not missing another brunch. Delaney has been uninvited. Your other friends think you've joined a convent." Then she eyes the two men in my apartment and shrugs, "Obviously not. But the other theories are still credible. So? Are you going to explain why you haven't picked up your phone in days? Why I can't get in touch with you to see if you're okay?"

Her voice stays even, but Portia doesn't show emotion, so her showing up here and giving me shit is explanation enough. She's hurt.

"I'm sorry, Portia. I didn't mean to disappear again."

"It's okay—I'm sorry, who are you?" She glares at Noah over my shoulder, who hasn't left my side. I turn to him.

"It's okay. This is my best friend Portia. Portia, this is Noah and that's Silas."

She narrows her eyes, but it's unlikely whatever she's thinking is the truth. But she knows something is up. Should I tell her?

I don't even know whatthisis. What would I even tell her? Then again, maybe she can help me work through some of this. Would she judge me for it?

Do I care?

My head swarms with possibilities, but once again, just like when he arrived, Noah helps pull me out of the spiral. "You okay?"

Gah, he's so sweet. I nod. Leaning over I kiss his cheek and he smiles, capturing my lips in a kiss. Before he lets go, he presses his forehead into mine and if no one else ever had my back again, I'd know Noah is my new ride or die.

He turns and heads into the living room to work with Silas, likely setting up their homework station, but when I turn to Portia, her jaw is dropped. Shit. I kissed Noah. And not just a friendly peck.

"Lucy…"

Grumbling, I tighten my robe then walk around the counter, grab her wrist and drag her down the hall into my bedroom.

She sits on the edge of the bed sipping the soda water, brows high. Portia is rarely speechless.

I'm pacing in front of her trying to decide what to say. How to share. Fortunately—or unfortunately since she guessed so easily—Portia says the words for me.

"How many guys are you fucking Lucy-bear?"

"Ugh, don't call me that. Delaney calls me that."

"Fuck Dleaney. Spill!"

"Well… technically…" I wring my wrists nervously. "Only one."

"Technically?"

"Technically still only Mateo. But his friends…" I point down the hall… "We've hooked up, too. But I haven't slept with them yet. We're… trying something."

"Holy shit. Are you poly now?"

"How do you know about poly?"

"Umm, I don't live under a rock. Dude, the world is changing. Holy shit. Are you my new spirit animal? I'm so jealous. That Noah is a little soft for me but he's pretty hot. Silas though." She waves her hand at her neck and I'm suddenly consumed with jealousy.

Portia is fucking beautiful. An actual model. How committed are they, really? Is it fair I get to sleep with all of them and they only sleep with me? Why don't they sleep with each other? Dangit that would make me feel a lot better if they did.

Maybe I wouldn't have this clawing fear looking at my best friend gushing about my… boyfriend?

Oh this is complicated.

"Lucy!" Portia claps her hands and I realize she's been trying to get my attention for a minute. I'm spiraling again.

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