Page 59 of Living for Truth
Emma shakes her head. “Damn, girl. Your life could be a soap opera. I mean, what are thechancesthat your ex-husband is dating his ex? I don’t blame you for wanting to make it real, either. That man is F-I-N-Efine.I’d have climbed him like a tree the moment I saw him. I bet he fucks hard.”
I almost spit out my lemonade. “Emma!” I scold, looking around to make sure no one heard us, but she just laughs. I should introduce Emma to Sage. They’d have a blast ganging up on me.
Elli giggles. “It’s weird to hear sex talked about so openly after being in the church so long, huh?”
I just nod my agreement.
“What’s your plan to make this thing not fake?” Elli asks as our waiter brings our entrees.
“I thought I’d tell him the truth tonight. We’ve had two almost-kisses, and I swear I canseethe tension between us sometimes. I just worry I’m imagining it.”
“I can assure you you’re not imagining it. That man’s yearning so hard, I could tell in the two-minute interaction we had,” Emma says, and Elli nods in agreement.
“I’m just scared, you know?”
Elli gives me an understanding smile. “I get that. I was nervous to start dating Wes because of past relationships. Our situations aren’t the same, but I’m glad I gave him a chance. He proved to me he was different even before we started dating.”
Emma nods. “I don’t do serious relationships, but if I were to settle down, I would want it to be with someone who looks at me the way Morgan looks at you.”
“Youdon’t do serious relationships?” I don’t believe that. Emma has always been the hopeless romantic of the three of us.
She waves me off. “Feelings are too messy. I’m focused on my career right now, so I only need a partner for orgasms.”
Elli looks just as shocked as I do about this little revelation. “The serial monogamists of the world are weeping at the lost opportunity to lock down Emma Price.”
“Well maybe if I found a sexy rockstar who followed me like an adorable lost puppy, or an ex-football player who looked at me like I hung the fucking moon it would be different.” Emma shrugs. “As it stands, you two seem to have found the last good men in the world.”
“What about women?” I ask, since I know Emma’s bi.
“I love women. Women are beautiful, lovely, and perfect, but I still don’t want to settle down. My ex-girlfriend is one of the reasons I swore off serious dating. She wanted to get married three months in, started talking about adopting kids or doing IVF, and when I told her I wasn’t ready to get married and I wasn’t sure I wanted kids, she broke up with me and told me I should have been up front with her—which Ihad been.So now I make sure it’s crystal clear I don’t want a serious relationship, just sex.”
“Oh shit. That really sucks, Emma. I’m sorry.” I don’t know what else to say. Emma’s been through more shit than I would ever wish on even my worst enemy, so the fact she’s still so happy-go-lucky is astounding.
Again, Emma waves me off. “It’s all good. I’m happy with my life. Besides, there’s no time for sadness! We have to go find you the perfect outfit for confessing your feelings. One that says ‘take me, Morgan. I’m yours.’”
Once we’ve finished our food, we head out. I thought about taking them with me to the size-inclusive thrift store Alice told me about, but I don’t want to go without her, so we end up at the mall instead where there are—shockingly—threestores that carry plus sizeoptions.
The first store is a bust, but it’s nice to have people who understand the struggles of clothes shopping as a fat woman. Sage understands, too, but she makes a lot of her own clothes so we don’t spend much time shopping together.
At the second store, Elli finds a black bodysuit with lace long sleeves on it and a denim mini skirt that’s frayed slightly on the edge. It’s simple, but it looks like it was made for her.
The third store is where Emma and I find our outfits. Emma picks an army green cargo skirt that she’s paired with a plain black baby tee and picks out some black platform sandals to go with it.
The dress I pick is unlike anything I’ve ever worn. It’s tight, short, and doesn’t have sleeves. But when I try it on, I immediately try to picture Morgan’s reaction to me in it. Will he like it? Will he hate I’m showing so much skin? Will it make him want to shove me against a wall and kiss me senseless?
I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
Chapter 27
Morgan
Idon’t know why I’m nervous knocking on Hannah’s door. It’s hardly the first time we’ve hung out, and we’re not even going on a date. We’ll be surrounded by at least two other people at all times.
Maybe it’s because I’ll be spending time with people who are extremely important to her or because they’re all much younger than I am, and I worry I won’t be cool enough for them.
Maybe I’m nervous because I looked up the company of the “new clothes” she got today because I was curious and discovered it was a lingerie store, and I’m wondering if she’s wearing any of it tonight.
Are they lacy? Plain? Printed? Did she buy thongs, boy cut, cheeky? It really doesn't matter, honestly, because the thought of Hannah in any kind of underwear has my blood rushing down south immediately.
