Page 55 of The Art of Loving Lacy
“Oh, Lacy, intimacy is so different from what you’re defining. Sex is sex. It can be meaningless, filling-a-gap or easing-a-frustration sex, or it can be intimate and loving sex. Sex is not exclusive to love,” she said.
Lacy sighed. “I know, but…”
“From what you’ve told me, he’s not trying to hide who he was. He’s being honest and, Lacy, honesty is the most important thing in a relationship.” Danica paused, then said, “Haven’t you ever done anything in your life that you would be mortified if someone found out about?”
“No,” Lacy said.
“Nothing? Ever? You never cheated on a test or made out with a teacher? You never had sex on the roof of your high school? Or fantasized about your best friend’s father?” Danica asked.
“Geez, Danica, what kind of people did you help when you were a therapist? No, I haven’t done those things,” Lacy said, then flopped into a chair.
“Well, you really are perfect, little sister,” Danica teased. “Listen. Maybe you’re right. Maybe you’re not cut out to be with him no matter what you feel for him. It takes a really strong, special person to forgive a past that is so different from her own.”
“You make it sound like I’m conceited or I think I’m above him somehow,” Lacy said.
“No. I’m just being realistic. If you had done some of those things, you might understand the whole using-sex-as-an-escape thing, but you didn’t, so to you it’s foreign. How did you ever forgive Dad?”
Lacy pictured Danica’s serious dark eyes watching her, waiting for an answer. “He’s my father. I didn’t forgive him so easily, and I’m not sure I have completely forgiven him yet. I have my moments when the whole thing still upsets me, but then I realize that he just happened to love two women…at the same time.”
“But isn’t that worse than not loving any and being honest about it? He’s not living a double life, unless…did you guys say you were exclusive for all those months?”
“No, Danica, you know we didn’t.” Lacy stood and paced.
“Then it sounds to me like you need to make a decision. You’re either in the relationship and willing to forget his past—really forget it, as in, not bring it up every time you have an argument—or you’re out and you let him go and move on.”
“Sheesh, sometimes I hate you,” Lacy said.
“That’s what big sisters are for. What are you doing tonight?” Danica asked.
“It sounds like I’m making a life-altering decision.”
Chapter Eighteen
BACK ON TREAT’S boat, Dane stepped out of the shower, wondering if he should have made a move toward Lacy. Her comment about her boss gave him hope, but she hadn’t invited him in after they spent the day together. She hadn’t made any innuendos either. Now he was stuck on the boat missing her. Dane wasn’t used to having to chase women, much less having to refrain from chasing them.Enough of this.He picked up his keys and headed for the car. He was the man in the relationship, and it was time he acted like it. If she didn’t want to be with him, she’d have to tell him to his face. Tonight.Now.
His phone vibrated. He snagged it, hoping it was Lacy, but it was from Hugh.
Dane read the text.Did u fix things w/Lacy?
Dane smiled and texted back.Trying. Thanks4 pushing me.
He climbed into the car and a few seconds later his phone vibrated again.
Can I come over?Confused, he scrolled back on the message and realized it was a text from Lacy.Lacy!He texted back.Of course. What’s wrong?
Another text rolled in from Hugh.She’ll come around.
Dane didn’t answer his text. He was too worried about Lacy. He pushed speed dial, and Lacy answered on the first ring.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing…I just…I didn’t feel like eating dinner alone,” she said.
He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes, sighing with relief.You won’t fall in love, huh? I must be doing something right.“Why don’t I come get you and we’ll go grab a bite.”
“You were just here. I can come there,” she offered.
Waiting will be torturous.“I’m in the car. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” He put the phone on speaker and turned the car around. “What are you hungry for?”
