Page 118 of Two Guys, a Girl, and a Tripod

Neither of us feels like swimming today, but we have folding chairs, sandwiches, lavender lemonade, and plenty of sunscreen. Trudging through the sand at Malibu-Zuma beach to get close enough to the water is a workout in itself and I’m glad I didn’t try to look cute. No one is going to recognize me and it’s not like Natalie cares what I look like.

“This good?” We’re close enough to enjoy the sound of the waves while far enough not to have said waves reach our toes.

“Yeah, I’m done walking.”

Natalie shoves the cooler into the sand so that it opens toward the ocean while I set up the chairs. When the umbrella is set, covering the cooler and the main parts of our chairs, we settle in. I pull plastic bottles of lemonade from the cooler and hand one to Natalie. Neither of us is hungry yet, so we just sit and enjoy the view and the sounds, sipping on our beverages that are definitelynotalcoholic.

Days like this, when I can relax and take time off with my best friend, remind me that my hard work is paying off. I get to be creative, choose my schedule, work with people I want to, and avoid those I don’t like. I get to be my own boss. This is a job, despite what so many people think, but it’s a job I wouldn’t trade for anything.

The crash of the waves is soothing, though it’s not quite loud enough to drown out the seagulls. I dig my bare feet into the sand, finding the cool layer just below thesurface. There are days it’s so windy that, even this far from the water, I can feel the mist and taste it on my lips. It’s not quite that strong today, but it’s been picking up.

I decide to take a selfie, smiling and holding up a peace sign. Then I flip the camera around and take a photo of my feet in the sand with the waves in the background. I post it online and then take a deep breath.

I’m still trying to process what happened with Brody and Miles.Together. BrodywantedMiles to join us and Miles did so, not only without hesitation, but with gusto. I never would have guessed that Brody would be comfortable sharing, let alone sharing with his roommate. His best friend. Trading off date nights is one thing, but enjoying each other together isn’t something I had expected to experience.

“We had a threesome,” I blurt suddenly.

My hand flies to my mouth with a slap and I giggle when Natalie turns to look at me. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see her jaw drop and she pulls her sunglasses down so she can look at me over the top of them.

“You mean with…?”

I nod.

“Yeah.”

“Wait, you haven’t- that was the first, wasn’t it? I mean, with two men.”

I bite my bottom lip, trying hard not to smile.

“It was the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever done,” I finally admit, unable to keep the laughter from my voice.

“Sophie, Sophie, Sophie.” She shakes her head and settles back into her seat to face the ocean once more. “Ho-lee shit, girl. And Brody, he’s- he’s likenew. How did he handle that?”

“It was his idea!” I squeal.

“What the fuck?”

“I know!”

“That kinky motherfucker. Ok, I take back every bad thing I’ve said about these guys. If it wasn’t clear before, it is now. They’re good for you.” Natalie glances at me again. “Bothof them are good for you.”

“You changed your tune fast.”

“You feel safe with Brody?” she asks, not looking at me, but continuing to focuson the waves.

“I really do.”

“And Miles, he makes you happy?”

“He does.” I smile. His excitement for just about everything he does is infectious in the best way.

“Red flags?”

“I-” I stop. “I mean, probably. Can I keep refusing to see them as red for now? Maybe yellow.”

“Yellow is acceptable.” Natalie nods and leans her head back against her chair with a grin. “Jesus,twoboyfriends. And they were roommates,” she adds under her breath. I sigh, relaxing in my chair and enjoying the glint of the sun off of the waves.

“I guess best friends who fuck together…” I muse, but don’t bother to finish the thought.

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