Page 69 of Sweet Harmony

Grace made aface. “Ugh…Louella. God, my parents hate me.”

Addie giggled.“It could be worse. My middle name is Mabel for God’s sake.”

Grace grinnedat her before wiggling her eyebrows at Kira. “Did he, babe?”

“No, wehaven’t, I mean… we just kind of fooled around a little.”

“But you wantto do more,” Grace said.

Shit. She hatedhow well Gracie knew her. “Yes. Okay? Yes. Last night I asked himto come in and show me some other stuff. He said no because I wastipsy but said that if I was still interested tonight, he wouldcome over. I’ve decided that I’ll have a better chance with Danielif I know some sex stuff. Like, not necessarily sex, but youknow…”

“Handies andblowies?” Grace made the universal wanking off sign in front of hermouth as her tongue pushed against her cheek.

“Gross,Gracie.” Kira tried to scowl at her, but a giggle slipped out.

“Is blowie evena sex term for fellatio?” Addison said.

Grace shrugged.“I dunno but it’s better than saying - hey, Connor, will you giveme a lesson on fellatio? I would like to learn how to fellate likea fornicating fool.”

Kira burst intolaughter and even Addie giggled. “You’re nuts, Gracie.”

“Yep,” Graciesaid solemnly. “Okay, let’s recap. Kira and Connor are in afakey-fake relationship. Dr. ‘I Don’t Like PDAs” Connor puts on anOscar-worthy performance as her boyfriend complete with the mostpublic displays of PDAs I’ve ever witnessed. Kira is asking him fornot-quite-sex lessons to improve her chances with Daniel, eventhough she suddenly doesn’t seem to care all that much that Danielmight be jealous. Are we all caught up?”

“I care,” Kiraprotested. “I love Daniel.”

“Do you,though?” Grace said.

“I do,” Kirainsisted. “I just – I’m attracted to Connor and he’s attracted tome and with as much sex experience as Daniel has -”

“Gross.” Addiedrained her wine glass.

“I just thinkit would be the smart idea to not go into this completely naïve tosex. I’m not going to give up my virginity or anything to Connor,but there’s no harm in fooling around a bit. We both know what thisis.”

“Are you sure?Because this sounds like a really quick way to complicate things,”Grace said.

“It isn’t,”Kira said. “We’re both adults and why shouldn’t I have a little funwith him? I’m not going to have sex with him.”

“You thinkingwhat I’m thinking?” Grace said to Addie.

“Me thinks thelady doth protest too much,” Addie said.

“Fuckin A,Addie. Fuckin’ A.” Grace raised her beer bottle to Addie in asalute before taking another swig.

“I’m not havingsex with him,” Kira repeated. “But, even if I for some weird reasondecided to have sex with Connor, what’s the big deal? You’re alwaystelling me that a woman’s virginity is nothing special,Gracie.”

“And you’realways telling me it is,” Grace said.

Kira justshrugged. “Maybe I’m changing my mind.”

“Which is yourright and we will support you no matter who you choose to be yourfirst banging partner,” Grace said. “But that being said, thinkcarefully about whether this infatuation with Connor is worthgiving up something you’ve held on to for a deliberate reason.”

“You don’tthink having sex with Connor is the right decision?”

“I didn’t saythat,” Gracie replied. “Ultimately, it is completely your choicewho you sleep with for the first time. But remember that Connorisn’t interested in a relationship. I don’t want you getting hurt,honey.”

“I won’t,” Kirasaid. “I know this is fake and, besides, my feelings for Connor arejust lust. But, like Addie said before, maybe it isn’t such a goodidea to save yourself for just one person. Why shouldn’t I do alittle tasting off the menu? Right, Addie?”

“Do as I sayand not as I do,” Addie said.

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