Page 53 of Here's to Tomorrow

Even though Maura’s been dating this past year for the first time, she’s still—was still—a virgin. On top of her parents being the captains of the crazy train, she was very sheltered.

She came close to something serious and having sex with her last boyfriend, Aaron, but discovered his ass— literally—mid-cheat.

So, I’m a little shocked she had sex with Tanner so soon. They’ve only really been together for a little over a week, but who am I to judge her? No one.

“Well, was it good?” I ask with a smile.

She beams. “It was awkward at first for me, and it hurt, but I liked it. He was so sweet about the whole thing, but you think I’m a total slut, don’t you?”

“What? No! Everyone has needs, Maura. There’s no right or wrong amount of time to wait to sleep with someone. Onlyyouknow when you’re ready, and I trust your judgment.”

She exhales strongly and meets my serious stare with her own. “Ireallylike him, Rae. Like,reallylike him.”

I get it, I really do, because I like Hudson—like,reallylike him—and I know it’s way more than I probably should, but it’s not something that can be helped.

“How long is he home for?” I ask. We know he’ll eventually leave and Maura seems attached, so I kind of worry.

“Just another few weeks or so. He had a lot of leave time saved up and used it all at once. Lucky me.”

I wince. “That’s it? Then what happens?”

“Then he goes back to his base.”

“And?”

“And hopefully we continue our relationship long distance, or we split. I’m hoping for the first option, though. We haven’t talked about it much.”

“I hope so.”

“It’ll all work out. If it’s meant to be, it will happen,” Maura says confidently.

“Word.”

“Your confidence in me is inspiring. Thank you.”

I laugh because oddly enough, she means what she just said. My “word”ismy word. It’s my agreement of all agreements, at least with Maura.

“And what about you? Didn’t you have a date last night? Are you two engaged yet? When’s the wedding? Dibs on maid of honor!”

I smile. She has no idea how close she just hit with what went on last night.

“No, we’re not. We’ve decided to wait until at least the third date for any more proposals. It was getting way out of hand.”

“And?” she prompts, dragging the word out.

“It was fan-freakin’-tastic. Completely perfect. He’s completely perfect. We watchedStep Brothers, ate pizza, had ice cream, and then wild monkey sex right there on the kitchen table.”

“SHUT UP! YOU DID NOT!”

“You’re right. We didn’t. Your slut title is still safe.”

“Bitch,” she says, sticking her tongue out at me.

“You still love me. But seriously, it was easily the best date I’ve ever been on. He was sweet, funny, inquisitive, sexy as sin—the whole package.”

“Good. It’s about damn time you were happy. I think you’ve found your match in Hudson.”

I hope so.

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