Page 86 of Nave
“You’re not going to find judgment from me,” Ria said. “I once took a Greek math class in school because the boy I liked was taking it. Greek math. I barely passed normal math.”
“Did he tutor you?” I asked, loving the way Ariah’s eyes went mischievous.
“Oh, we did a lot of studying, alright. Less math. More anatomy. So, what’s going on? You’re with Nave now, right?”
“We’re that obvious, huh?”
“You can’t keep your hands off each other when he’s here. Which is really sweet. He’s a good guy, if that’s what you’re worried about. I wouldn’t lie to you about that kind of thing just because we’re friends. If he was the kind to make a shitty partner, I’d tell you.”
I believe that. Both she and Kit were straight-talkers and the epitome of girls’ girls. And I imagine a lot of that came from being two young, beautiful, single women on the road for years. They had to look out for each other.
“I just kind of miss how things were when we were at the clubhouse,” I admitted. “We don’t get as much time together here.”
“And there’s no snuggling on a bed that small.”
“That too,” I agreed.
“Did Nave say he doesn’t want you at the clubhouse?”
“No. He just… always comes here.” It had been a week. Ten days, actually, since I moved back in. And as much as I loved his visits, it hurt more each time I had to watch him leave.
Did I worry that those feelings were too needy?
Sure.
But after everything I’d been through, I was choosing to let myself cling to the good. Nave included.
“Well, the answer seems easy, doesn’t it?” When I didn’t immediately answer, Ria shook her head. “Go to him.”
“But I have no reason to go there.”
“You don’t need areasonto go hang out with your man.”
“What if he’s not there?”
“Then you can wait for him. In bed. Naked.”
That wasn’t a bad idea.
“I haven’t really driven since coming to town,” I admitted.
“Babe, you drove for, what, five days straight to get here? I think you can manage ten minutes down the street to the clubhouse.”
“You’re right,” I agreed.
“Of course I am. I’ll even puppy-sit Edith for you, so you guys don’t have to untangle limbs to take her out or feed her.”
“I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“I think Edith might insist on it,” she said, waving over toward where Edith was tagging along behind her two giant dogs, happy as a clam.
“She’s never been without me.”
“I get that. My girls are my life too. They only had to do without me one night. I fell off a ladder while building the chicken coop, and the doctor insisted on observation for the night. They were fine with Kit. I was much less fine without them. I promise to call Nave if she seems even the least bit uncomfortable or like she’s looking for you.”
She meant that too.
“Okay then.”
