Page 60 of The Opposite of Romance
Doesn’t matter, it wasn’t the right thing to do,my guilty conscience responds.
Not to pick sides, but he kind of started it.
Of course he did. You were as good as naked, in soaking wet, paper-thin cotton.
I groan out loud, the sound luckily drowned out by the shower. When I’m finally done, I get dressed as if it’s winter and sneak my way to Asher’s bedroom window.
His car is no longer here.
Thank God.
A pang of disappointment blooms in my chest, but I stuff it down with the rest of my illogical emotions.
“You did what?”Sandy’s eyes are wide open as she stares at me, amusement sparkling in them.
The two of us are lying on a beach, perched on our elbows, while Asher and Olivia play in the sand. Well, Asher is playing in the sand. Olivia is probably drawing a sand monster. It’s still too cold to swim, but it’s a perfect day for the beach. Liam and Stella went for a stroll because it’s time for her nap, and I shared the story of yesterday with my sister.
“I gave him clothes for a shower and disappeared.”
She giggles, dropping her head back and I barely resist hitting her in the stomach. Sibling things, I guess.
“You can’t be serious,” she says when shefinallyfinishes laughing at me. “Why would you do that?”
“Umm, because it was awkward. I know, I should have sathim down and thoroughly apologized, but in that moment, this was the best I could think of.”
Once again, she giggles. “No, you definitely shouldn’t have apologized. I was thinking more on the lines of grabbing him by the belt loops and dragging him into the shower.” She raises her brows. “With you.”
I groan. “This isn’t funny, Sandy. I don’t even know if he’ll be back on Monday. And what does it mean for my deck? You knowthatdeck is the key to my mental health after the divorce.”
She sighs, exasperated. “I think you’re placing too much importance on the deck.”
“I don’t think I am. My mind is hanging by a thread, and that thread is held only by the prospect of having it finished and my house perfect.”
“Sadie…” Another sigh. “You know it’s not about the deck.”
“I just want it done. I want to feel like I can do this on my own.”
“You can, Sades. You have been doing it all on your own. For much longer than these few months, whether or not you want to admit it.” She drops to her side, shooting me a comforting look.
“I know. But this … this will feel like a victory.”
“I know, but let me ask you this. Did you enjoy it?”
“Fuck, yes, I did,” I say on a half whisper.
She chuckles. “Well, that’s the only thing that matters. From what you told me, it was pretty damn hot…”
“So hot,” I add.
“And you’re both consenting adults…”
“Barely,” I mutter.
“Isn’t he like thirty?”
“Twenty-nine.”
“Ooh, I take everything back. You should be in jail for grooming. Ouch.” She adds when I punch her shoulder.
