Page 104 of April

“But I’ve never dated a friend before.”

“You went out with her last night.”

“I didn’t know we were going out because you and your girlfriend tricked us.”

Asher sat on the edge of her bed.

“So what? You couldn’t be nervous because you didn’t know?”

“Exactly,” she said loudly into the phone. “Sophie, she’s Linden. I’ve known her forever. I don’t even know what to talk to her about. Standard date rules don’t apply here. She’s already seen me in the morning with my messy hair and dealt with me before I’ve had my coffee.”

“And she still wants you,” Sophie said softly. “That’s all you need to know, Asher. She’s been there for ten years, and she hasn’t run yet. Why would she now?”

“Because I don’t know what I’m doing. And she goes out with women who know what they’re doing.”

“Are we talking about sex here?”

“Not only sex,” she said.

“You’re worried she’s had a lot of it recently, and you won’t compare or something?”

“Yes. Wouldn’t you be?”

“She wantsyou, Asher,” Sophie repeated slowly.

“But that’s a recent thing. She could change her mind, and I’d end up losing her.”

“Asher, you don’t justlikeLinden. I could see it on your face that night at the bar. This may be your second date, but it’s not, really. It’s more than that forbothof you.”

“Thanks for layering on the pressure there, Soph,” she replied sarcastically.

“It’s not pressure; it’s just a fact, Ash. Put on what you’d normally wear on a night when you and Linden would hang out. Be comfortable. Just let the night go where it goes, okay? Stop putting this intense pressure on it, and you’ll be fine. Jill saidyou two practically made out at lunch today, by the way. So, I assume that part of your relationship is going well.”

“We’ve kissed several times, yes,” she said with a smile.

“And…”

“Are you fishing for information for yourself or your girlfriend?”

“Both,” Sophie said with a light laugh.

“She’s a really good kisser,” Asher replied.

“Yeah?”

“Yes.”

“Hey, Ash!”

Asher froze when she heard a voice coming from downstairs.

“Shit,” she said into the phone.

“What?”

“She’s here.”

“Who? Linden?”

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