Page 6 of Pretty Please Me
Hey, Maggie! I’m glad you reached out. I was dreading having to contact all of our senior classmates individually (you have no idea how long it takes to find these people with all the marriages and name changes). Anyway, our ten-year high school reunion is just on the horizon. It’s October 3rd, to be exact.
Here’s a link to the invite.
Sorry it’s late notice! But that’s what happens when a man’s in charge! (I was waaaay too ambitious back then, totally should’ve let Samantha Simmons take the W on Student Council President.)
Anyway, it’s good hearing from you.
Talk soon.
P.S. You look great, Maggie. I really hope you can make it.
“–And then I had to send him a formal apology email explaining I didn’t mean it how it sounded.” She laughs, and I force out a chuckle to match, so it’s not obvious I wasn’t listening.
When the server appears with our appetizer, Gwen’s entire demeanor shifts as she dives into the plate of cheese fries. She moans as she licks ranch off her fingers, reminding me of some of the women in the porno films I used to watch.
I look to Elliot, who seems equally uncomfortable and feel a little better as I watch herthoroughlyenjoy her food.
“What?” Gwen licks her fingers and smiles. “Can a pregnant woman not have a foodgasm? If it weren’t for the amazing pregnancy sex and food tasting better than it ever has, I don’t know if this whole pregnancy thing would be worth it.”
I furrow my brow in confusion and take a sip of my iced tea.
“So, pregnant sex really is better? I’ve heard that, but I didn’t know it was true–”
“Oh my God, everything is so sensitive. It’s incredible. Last night, Jack was railing me from behind–”
I hold up my hands to stop her. “Whoa. We really don’t need details this early in the morning. I haven’t had enough caffeine yet.”
Gwen goes silent, and she and Elliot turn to stare at me, wearing similar looks of concern.
“Are you sure everything’s okay, Mags?” Elliot asks again.
I roll my eyes and shove a cheese fry in my mouth, covering my mouth as I chew. “Yes, as I said, I’m just tired.”
I wish I could talk to them about my problems. I really do, but I feel like there’s too big of a gap for them to actually offer me any helpful advice. The message from Trent burns in the back of my mind, making me antsier by the minute.
Elliot daps her face with her napkin. “Well, on a safer conversational note.” She offers me a nervous smile. “You know how Benjamin signed me up for tennis lessons? Well, I just finished my first month, and I’ve already improved so much that I can safely play with strangers! I mean, originally, I just wanted to play so I had an excuse to wear my tennis skirt more often—Benjamin goes crazy for me in a tennis skirt.”
I perk up a little as an idea starts to form in my mind.
“I mean, when I started my lessons, I couldn’t even hit the ball. I was so terrible that Benjamin had to duck because I’d fling the tennis racket with my swing half the time.” She laughs as she describes a particular incident when the racket hit Benjamin between the eyes, but my mind takes me in a completely different direction.
Elliot was terrible at tennis. So terrible that Benjamin signed her up for lessons for his own safety… And now she’s better. After only a month, she’s improved so much that she can play with strangers… safely.
I slap my hands on the table. “That’s it!”
Elliot and Gwen go silent as they stare at me. “What’s it?” Gwen asks, but I wave her off just as our food arrives.
“Oh, your story just helped me solve a problem at the studio.” I lie as I dig into my food, thankful for the distraction.
All I need to do is find a nice, willing gentleman to agree to give me sex lessons with no strings attached. Then I’ll feel confident to go out with Trent without scaring him off.
That shouldn’t be too difficult, right?
FOUR
Maggie
I tighten my grip on my heavy purse, pulling it close to my body as I maneuver between the swarm of people. Underground Bar is a speakeasy that Gwen used to talk about. It’s an exclusive secret watering hole where all the hot singles gather to mingle and find someone to bring home for the night.
