Page 23 of Unbossly Manners

“A month,” he said.

“This is so odd,” I said, laughing at my discomfort. “I’m glad we’re doing it. It’s just… strange AF.”

“I think I’ve got it,” Kat said, raising the pad in front of her face. “Kissing 101. Foreplay 101. Male Oral Sex. Female Oral Sex. Extra Credit: Intercourse.”

Kat looked at me all innocence, then asked, “Do you want to see the goods?”

Jackson understood her meaning a beat before I did.

“No.” He clasped his hands tightly in his lap.

“I was kidding.” Kat glanced at his crotch, then at me. “You may want to do some mouth exercises. He’s well endow—”

“Kat,” Jackson warned, his face the shade of a ripe tomato. “You’ll scare her.”

“I’m not scared,” I said, holding his gaze steady so he wouldn’t see the lie.

Jackson leaned back, his jaw ticking.

“Moving on,” Kat said.

I shifted against Kat’s large white pillows, her room airy and bright. I couldn’t believe I was going to be staying there for an entire month. My mother used to have a pied-et-terre in the city when she was working on the soap. I stayed in it a handful of times, but it was minimalist. No warmth. It had been a place to crash when she worked too late to take the train back to Tarrytown.

“When was the last time you were tested?” Kat asked, drawing me out of my thoughts and back into the cold waters of this conversation.

“A while ago. Before I graduated. I’ve only had sex like five times. And not since college.”

Jackson shifted, the bed frame squeaking.

Kat tucked her chin back in surprise. “Five times? Or five guys?”

“Times.”

She pressed her lips tighter but didn’t comment.

“So you’re clean.”

“Yeah,” I said. “And I have an IUD. For birth control.”

Kat turned her attention on Jackson. “When was the last time you were tested?”

“Before we were married. And I haven’t…” Jackson ground his jaw.

“You haven’t… Not since me?”

Jackson glared at the white bedspread.

“Alright. I’ll shut up. I just. Really?” The pen hung from Kat’s fingers, her face contorted.

“Drop it,” he growled.

“Sorry. Sorry.” She put her hands up in retreat. “When do you want to start?”

“Next weekend?” I glanced at Jackson.

“Sure.” He took the pad from Kat. “I’ll type this up.”

“Do we need an official document?” I asked, nervous. “I thought we weren’t going to have written proof.”

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