Page 4 of Win My Heart

“It was a lot of fun. I’m glad I came.”

“We offer weekly classes, if you’re interested in coming back sometime.” She turns around and moves some papers around on the table behind her. She finds what she’s looking for and hands it to me. “That’s our class list. You’ll want to start with the beginner, but I don’t think you’ll need very many of those before you’re ready to move up.”

There are a few classes that fit within my schedule, including a special afternoon class titled “Exotic Pole.”

“What is your leveling system? How does that work?” I glance up at Liz.

“We have several leveling systems, but you strike me as someone who may not want to reach our exotic level, which is where we help ladies who pursue pole on a more professional level.” She winks at me, and I get it. I’m not looking to take what I learn to the stage.

“I’d be doing this for me. My eyes only,” I tell her as I fold up the paper and place it into my bag.

“Fair enough. You can register online. You’ll find more info on the website as well.”

I nod and give her a wave. “I’ll check it out. See ya around, Liz.” She waves back, and I rejoin my group just as they’re ready to leave.

As we get into the lobby, Ruby announces, “We aren’t heading back to Morgan’s yet. We’re going to make one last stop.” Ruby is being typical Ruby, bouncing on the balls of her feet, overly excited about something that only she knows about. I can’t help but smile at her, though. Her excitement is contagious.

“Ooh, are you going to share with the class?” Gia snickers as she unlocks the SUV door.

She’s borrowing her boyfriend, Simon’s, new SUV for the night. She doesn’t do a lot of driving in the city and doesn’t actually have a car, which is totally normal for city folk. I don’t have a car either. I can’t even remember the last time I got behind the wheel.

Ruby rattles off something to the girls from work, as they drove together. They aren’t hanging out with us all night but are apparently coming on this surprise stop. We all pile in, Gia and Morgan in the front. I slide into the plush back seat as we wait for Ruby to join us. Moments later, she climbs in across from me, which means we’re ready to roll.

“Alrighty, Mo. Have we got a treat for you!” Ruby chirps as Gia pulls out of the parking lot. Clearly, she’s in on the secret.

Morgan looks over her shoulder with excitement. “While the pole dancing was a pleasant surprise, I’m not sure I can take any more suspense.”

“Here, here!” I add.

Gia chuckles and Ruby grabs my arm as she speaks. “We’re going to go check out Cupid’s Trunk before we head back to Bernie’s apartment for a little pampering.”

Scrunching my nose, I rack my brain trying to figure out why I know that store. I glance at Morgan and her face is flushed.

“Oh my gosh, really? This is going to be embarrassing, you guys.” At her response, it hits me. Cupid’s Trunk is an adult toy store.

Oh snap.

“There is nothing to be embarrassed about,” Ruby says. “Having a healthy and exciting sex life is very important. Plus, we’re going together, so it will be fun. Trust me, it’s better to go with friends than a boyfriend. I took Link in there one time, and well, the boy could not focus. It was like a kid in a candy store. He couldn’t keep his hands off the merch, and he wanted to buy everything. The shit that came out of his mouth every time he found something new…” She’s shaking her head. “Now that was embarrassing.”

Gia snorts. I can totally envision it. Link would be the last person I would want to go into an adult toy store with.

Morgan faces forward in her seat and sighs. “You’re really pushing me outside of my comfort zone today, ladies.”

“I promise it will be fun. Plus, we all pitched in and we’re buying you a toy for your honeymoon,” Ruby says.

Wait, what?I gave her money for the class and food. I didn’t know it included a sex toy. I love my girls, but they’re all with my teammates, who are like brothers to me. I don’t mind them talking about their sex lives, but just in general terms. Knowing what sex toys Link likes to use? Ew.

Shaking the gross vision out of my head, I also shake off the funk I’m feeling today.

I’m happy. I’m excited to be here. Love is in the freaking air.

It’s a mantra I tell myself sometimes when I’m with the group and everyone is coupled up.

We make idle chitchat until we arrive at Cupid’s Trunk. Getting out of the SUV, I gulp and mentally prepare myself for the experience. I’ve never been into an adult toy store. I’ve never even bought or wore sexy nighties. I’m more of a shorts and tank kinda girl. Nothing about this store screams Bernadette Ross.

But I put one foot in front of the other, for my homies, in the name of love and good sex. Because someone should be having good sex. It sure as hell ain’t this girl.

We make our way inside the store, and it’s exactly as I expected it to be—ceiling to floor all things sex. I stick close to Morgan, as she looks just as spooked as me. She doesn’t hesitate to touch or pick things up and examine them. Me, I’m just looking.

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