Page 3 of Begin Again Again

“I would, but I haven’t had sex with someone who isn’t Nathan since 2013.”

They smiled at each other and Beth groaned. “I can’t believe this is going to be my first sober date. Talk about a baptism by fire.”

“Had to happen. Better to do it with someone you’re not serious about.”

“Oh, you don’t think I’ll end up having kids with anonymous, tradie model-face? How dare you!”

Lara ignored her. “The Vic has non-alcoholic beers. You don’t even need to tell him if you don’t want to.”

“Oh, I’m not telling him anything. If I could confirm he wasn’t a psycho remotely and meet him directly in his bed, I would.”

Lara sipped coffee out of her ‘Mama needs wine’ mug. “How young do you think he is?”

“Twenty-six? Hopefully twenty-seven? It’s hard to tell. He doesn’t act young.”

“As long as he’s not fuckin’ seventeen, who cares?”

Beth scrunched her nose. “I know, it’s just strange, finding younger guys hot. I always thought guys I liked would be older than me.”

“Yeah, and you’d be the cuter, less experienced one. But it could be fun being with a younger guy? They’re probably so easily impressed.”

“Lars, I’ve clearly undersold how hot this guy is. He isbeautifuland his body isinsane.”

“How insane?”

“Fucking, like, superhero insane!” Beth clapped her hands over Angus’ ears. “Sorry.”

“Pssh, this isn’t your parents’ house. So, what are you wearing?”

“No idea,” Beth lied. She’d been thinking about it non-stop since she’d driven away from The Guy. “Slutty pink dress?”

“Kind of a bold choice for the pub?”

“Yeah, but we’re not meeting for an in-depth conversation, are we?”

“Makes sense. Lockdown’s over, you don’t have to wear a mask in the street, the vaccine isn’t far away—why not gamble on some old-fashioned STDs?”

Beth laughed, then stopped. “What’s the time?”

Lara checked her phone. “Ten past one. Meeting?”

“No, but I said I’d stop and get stuff for dinner! Do you want to go now?”

All of Lara’s energy seemed to swoosh out of her. “I dunno, I still have that massive report. Maybe we should get Chinese?”

“I’ll go to the shops,” Beth said firmly. She and Lara had made a pact to restrict their UberEATS consumption to once a week now lockdown was over. Beth was determined not to break it. Especially since people were going to be seeing her naked again. Stomach squirming, she hoisted Angus higher on her chest. “I’ll take this one and head there now.”

“But you have work too…”

“I’m pretty much done. I’ll get fish and veggies and come right back.”

Lara looked longingly at her laptop. “I should go with you.”

“Then how will I steal your family and replace you?”

“I wish you would, then I’d feel less guilty.”

Beth lifted Angus so he was level with Lara’s face. “See this?”

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