Page 85 of Fun Together
For the record, you didn’t hear me complaining, did you?
We’ve been flirtatiously circling each other for weeks now, but I didn’t think anything like that would come of it. Now, it’s all I can think about. The way his hands moved over me, unhurried and certain. His mouth on my neck and his beard tickling my cheek. His strong thighs beneath me while I—yeah, not going there.
The delightful rush I felt when he praised me for not holding back.
And it’s true. For the first time in a very long time, I let myself catch up to a feeling I’ve been chasing for a long time. But still, why couldn’t I have sought out that feeling with someone besides my ex-boyfriend’s best friend?
Since I’m not getting any work done, I decide to take an early lunch and try to call Rett again. I’d really like to get her perspective on the kiss.
I go outside and sit on one of the benches in the courtyard. A few other people are doing the same, taking their lunch breaks in front of the giant fountain. I take off my cardigan and call Rett.
She picks up this time. “Fifteen missed calls. Christ, is everything okay?”
I didn’t realize I’d called that many times. “Sorry! How are things with your grandma? Is everything okay?”
“I’ll tell you later. She’s decided to be a little shit-stirrer, as always.” I’m curious about what kind of drama Grandma Minnie has cooked up this time. “What’s going on?”
“Something happened Friday night. With Eli.”
“Okay, you should have called me thirty times. Tell meeverything.”
I tell her about seeing Andrew’s Instagram post, crying in Eli’s arms at the party, and then about the kissing, the dry hump session, and the orgasm confession. I catch my breath, not used to talking so much, or so fast.
“Hold on. He said, ‘You didn’t hear me complaining, did you?’”
“Yes.”
“That’ssohot.”
“I know!” The woman on the bench across from me sends an annoyed glare my way. In a quieter voice I repeat, “I. Know.”
“I knew you wanted him. I knew he wanted you.” She cackles. “It’s all coming together.”
“I was hoping you would tell me it’s a bad idea.”
“Why? You clearly feel comfortable with him. He clearly wants to do stuff with you. I think you’re on your way to checking off another item on your fun list.”
I didn’t even think about my list. Sex with Eli would mean more to me than just crossing off an item, and that’s what’s holding me back. But would I regret not exploring this thing between us? I do feel comfortable with him in way that allowed me to completely get out of my head—at least momentarily—and just enjoy myself.
“Maybe you’re right.”
“Don’t overthink it, just go with your gut.”
I finish my break,and as I exit the elevator by the door leading to the main stairwell, Eli steps out—like my thoughts have conjured him out of thin air.
“Hey,” he says, grabbing my arm and pulling me into the stairwell.
“Were you just waiting in here for me to walk by?”
“No, but I’m glad I ran into you. I wanted to talk to you about Friday night.”
It’s stuffy in here and probably doesn’t get a lot of air circulation. I fluff the skirt of my dress out to get some air flow around my legs. “We already talked about it. By deciding not to talk about it, remember?”
“I know we said that, but you and I both know I’m incapable of that.” He paces back and forth, almost like he’s agitated. “I can’t stop thinking about it.”
“Oh.” I feel a little rush of excitement, knowing that he’s been thinking about that night, too. “Where were you this morning?”
He stops pacing, pointing to his cheek, which I’m now noticing is a little swollen. “I was at the dentist with a fucking drill in my mouth, but I didn’t even care because I couldn’t think of anything but the vision of you grinding on top of me.” He starts pacing again.
