Page 100 of Flirting Lessons

“The diaper has a chocolate bar in it, it’s not really poop, but it’s still gross,” Avery said. “And the belly measuring is so people can bet on how big her belly is.”

“Well, we are definitely not doing anything like that, don’t worry,” she said to Erica. “Look, I may not be a baby shower expert, but this I can tell you—there will be no references to poop, andthere will be no body-shaming for anything I’m involved with planning.”

Erica threw an arm around Taylor and laid her head on her shoulder.

“I promise, I definitely knew that last thing, and I never thought the first thing would ever occur to you.”

Avery got up, a wide smile still on her face.

“I’m going to run to the bathroom.”

Sloane slid out of her seat.

“I’ll take this opportunity to go, too.”

As soon as they were safely out of earshot, Taylor turned to Erica.

“So?”

She might as well get Erica’s opinion on Avery right away.

“I like her,” Erica said. “I didn’t really expect to. I figured she’d be mooning after you like everyone else.”

“Everyone else doesn’t ‘moon’ after me,” Taylor said.

“But she has her shit together, and she’s also nice, and funny,” Erica said, ignoring Taylor’s interjection. “And she’s clearly into you without worshipping you—which isn’t good for you—and she’s got a good head on her shoulders. She’s almost too together for you, honestly. Don’t get bored with her and break her heart before my shower, that would mess everything up.”

Taylor sat back.

“What? Do you think I’ll break up with her because she’s too grown-up for me?”

Erica’s expression softened.

“No, of course not, I was just joking. How are things going with her, anyway?”

Taylor couldn’t help the smile that came over her face.

“I mean, you saw, she’s great. Maybe it’s because we hung outso much this summer before anything happened between us, so we really got to know each other, maybe it’s because we got used to being so honest with each other, but it’s just really easy and good. It’s definitely more than I can say for my last relationship.”

Erica laughed.

“Definitely more than anyone could say about your last fifteen or so relationships, you mean.” Wow, low fucking blow. But before Taylor could react, Erica changed the subject. “Okay, about the food, I was thinking that since the shower is in the late afternoon…”

“That the food would be afternoon tea kind of food, with little sandwiches and scones? I know. Come on, I haven’t known you this long not to know that. I already called Callie and asked her if she’d come out of her catering retirement just for you, since I know she does that stuff well, and she said yes. But fifteen, that’s not—”

Erica’s face lit up.

“Callie said yes, really? Oh my God, do you remember those scones she made after that one breakup? They were incredible.”

Erica was not going to distract her by talking about those scones, even though yes, Taylor did remember them, and yes, they were amazing.

“She already agreed to make mini versions of them. But—”

“What are you two so excited about?” Sloane slid back into the booth, and Avery followed her.

“The food for the shower. Callie is going to make it all, a whole afternoon tea situation, and we’ve both had her scones before, they’re amazing.”

Fine, she’d let it go for the moment. Erica always had something to say about people Taylor was dating, and she usually laughed it off. She should laugh this off, too. Shewouldjust laugh this off, too.

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