Page 27 of Between the Lines

Penelope lays a hand on mine, and I meet a gaze filled not with pity, but with apology.

“I’ll stop pressuring you. Sorry, kid.” I nod, and she continues, “But when youareready for a wing woman, I’d better be your first call.”

We all laugh, and my heart feels lighter.

“So… College?”

I nod sheepishly this time at Juliet’s question, then sigh.

“It was the best four years of my life, not because I could party at will—I honestly didn’t party a ton anyway—but because I got to do what I wanted with my time.”

This is as much as I’ll give them—tonight anyway.

“I hope, for your sake, they were good lays then,” Penelope says wide eyed.

“I wish,” I sigh, my propped elbow holding up my cheek as I lay it there. “Quite honestly, I faked more orgasms than a man ever gave me.”

I seem to have impeccable timing when it comes to saying stupid things out loud.

The guys choose that moment to return to the table. Aaron gazes to his woman with bug eyes. Sam coughs, wrapping his wife tightly to his side.

And Nathan?

I don’t think I’ve seen a mannequin with more stiff poise than he has right now. In fact, if he clutches his Dr. Pepper any harder, I’m afraid the glass might shatter in his hand and ruin the principal’s uniform he hasn’t quite yet taken off.

His poor silk tie would be ruined, and all over the fact that I just admitted to faking orgasms.

I gulp, knowing without a mirror that my cheeks are bright red.

“Anyway…” Penelope cuts herself into the conversation, reaching across the table for an onion ring. “Less talk about orgasms, am I right?”

Nathan tumbles into a coughing fit, and I use that as an excuse to head to the ladies’ room.

thirteen

nathan

I haveto press my abdomen into the lip of the table. If I don’t, I’m afraid that my colleagues will be able to see the swift tent in my pants at the mere thought of Claire Benson having an orgasm.

Or,nothaving an orgasm, as recent knowledge has brought to light.

Without the guidance of a normal group of friends over the years, I guess I never realized that as an adult, sex is a common conversation topic. I’m grateful for Penelope’s diversion, but in all reality, half of my brain leaves with Claire as she excuses herself.

My eyes follow her as she reaches the restrooms, watching the swing of the door until it snicks shut. Unfortunately, the conversation hasn’t quite started down a new path when I return to it.

“…tried to set her up with a nerdy looking guy at the bar, but maybe I need to find someone who will toss her around a little.”

“Weren’t you just trying to set her up with your brother?”

“Please,” Penelope snorts. “My brother wouldn’t know a clitoris from a hole in the ground.”

The entire table erupts into boos.

How did I get myself into this position in the first place?

“Okay! Alright! I’ll stop!” Penelope holds up two hands insurrender. “I’m just saying, if the poor girl has no free time and hasn’t gotten laid since college, maybe she should be with someone who actually knows what they’re doing.”

“Oh. Cool. We’re still actively discussing my sex life. Awesome.”

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