Page 49 of Waiting for Sunshine

“You lucky little bitch!” Taylor yells at me.

“That’s so hot, Shaney. That man is sinfully sexy.” Lauren never holds anything back in her thoughts, and I love her for it.

“I mean, it’s not pool table sex, but… it’s fine I guess.” Leah teases. My face is hot with excitement as I dish all the dirty details with my best friends.

“So are you guys like a thing now, or what?” Taylor asks, dipping a tortilla chip into the queso that is on the coffee table… In a scent burner? What the hell Taylor? Wait, that’s actually kind of genius.

“Hello, woman! Edge of our seats here!” Lauren snaps her fingers in my face, bringing me back to the conversation.

“I don’t know, honestly. I mean, we text back and forth all the time, he told me he missed me and not to run off with a rich art buff, and we’ve been stealing any moment we can when we are together. But I mean nothingofficialhas been said.” I shrug. Uncertainty is not something I’m particularly crazy about, but as long as I’m with Max in some capacity, I’m happy.

“Well, as long as you’re happy and getting yours, who needs labels.” Lauren offers, forking her chicken, cheese, and rice into her mouth.

“So, I feel like I’m the only one ever talking about their personal life. Someone else give mesomething,please.” I plead, grabbing my margarita from the coffee table.

“Max’s friend, Tucker, asked me for my number,” Taylor says quietly. Taylor never says anything quietly, so the whole room falls silent for a moment and my mouth drops open.

“When?” I ask, turning to fully face her.

“Well…” she picks up her margarita glass and takes a slow drink. My eyes grow wide with anticipation.

“SPIT IT OUT,” I wave my hand rushing her along. I remember when he asked me about her on New Year’s but that was weeks ago, if it happened then why is she just bringing it up now?

“New Year’s Eve,” she finally admits. The whole living room is quiet except for Michael Scott, fromThe Office, yelling on the TV.

“Ummmm. Way to hold the hell out on us!” Leah finally says. Taylor never takes her eyes off me though.

“Did you give it to him?” Lauren asks. Taylor's eyes dart down to her lap and back up at me, her ivory skin starting to turn pink at her cheeks. The corners of my mouth turn up and a smile spreads across my face.

“So, you and Tucker then?” I ask as I playfully bump her arm. She breathes a sigh of relief and giggles.

“Maybe, I don’t know. I mean we’re just kind of friends right now, I havekindabeen seeing someone else at work off and on.” She says scrunching her nose.

“WHAT!” Leah, Lauren and I shout.

“Why are we just now hearing about this?” I ask, completely shocked that she hasn’t told us this sooner. I’m not sure I would have told Tucker to go for it had I known.

“I don’t know. Things have just been so busy and stuff since you got back. Plus it’s nothing serious, you know me.” She rolls her eyes dismissively.

“Taylor, we are best friends. It doesn’t matter what’s happening in my life, or if the guy you’re seeing is serious or not, you share these things with us. Always!” I grab her hand to get her full attention. She smiles softly at me and nods. I hate that she felt like she couldn’t tell us this, but thank god for girls’ night so we could find out now.

“Bitch, did you give him the number or not?” Lauren asks impatiently.

“Yes,” is all she says in response.

“Well freaking finally someone else has something to talk about besides me. No offense.” I glance at Leah and Lauren, who start laughing and talking about how the “meat market” has been less than impressive as of late. Which has me and Taylor busting out laughing right along with them. We are reminiscing on some of Taylor’s high school crushes and how absolutely questionable they were when my phone dings. I pick it up from the couch cushion and swipe open the message from Max.

Max

Closing with Ruby sucks. She won’t stop asking why I’m smiling.

Me

Well, why are you smiling, Max?

Max

Thinking about what I had for lunch today.

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