Page 26 of The Lessons

“Now you’re sounding like a Virgo, Josh.” I teased. Everyone laughed.

“But you know, going back to what we were talking about— I bet it’s hard working at a lingerie company,” Josh cut in. “It must be like sex is always on the brain, right?”

“I don’t know…” Paulina took a sip of her vodka soda. “Honestly, it becomes just like anything else, you know? I think your mind gets used to it. Sometimes I feel like doing PR for cheeseburgers would be more sexy.”

“So, all these people sleeping with each other at your office— They’re just sluts, then?” Josh joked.

I elbowed him in the ribs.

“Hey, hey, just kidding. Just kidding.” He grinned and then decided this would be aperfect timeto bring up my love life. Or lack thereof. “Well, just so you know, you won’t have to worry about that happening with LeeLee here.”

“Oh, yeah?” Brad sat up a little straighter and looked over at me.

“Oh, yeah. LeeLee never dates.”

Good thing the bar was dark, because I blushed a thousand shades of crimson.Goddamn it, Josh!I pinched his leg, out of sight to the others.

He jerked and looked over at me.

I pressed my lips together and shot him a look.

“What?” he shrugged. “You don’t.”

Argh. He knew very well I couldn’t cite him as the one and only person I’d dated. So I improvised.

“I’ve dated a few people,” I said casually, shaking my head. I knew without looking at him that he was making his ‘I don’t believe that for a second’ face, so I continued. “I just didn’tmentionthem.”

“Oh,really!?”

“Yeah. What of it? It’s not like we were getting married or anything. Relax. Besides, how many people haveyouslept with? IknowI don’t know the names of all of them,” I teased.

“Well, that’s true,” he said, smirking as he took another sip of beer. “But neither did I.”

~

Around eleven, we parted ways. Josh and I ended up back at my apartment.

“That’s it. I’m moving to San Francisco. I mean, hello, Natalie, even your pizza guys are hotter out here.” Josh came into the living room with a large, flat box. “I’m pretty sure Marco and I just had a moment in the hall.”

“You sure he wasn’t simply angling for a better tip?”

“Oh, Marco can have mytipany time he wants. In fact, he can have the whole thing ‘cuz I’m generous like that.”

“Josh, seriously? Ew. I’m about to eat.”

He laughed as we sat on the rug and opened the box.

“Speaking of ew, this side is yours, Ms. Pineapple and Anchovy.” He rotated the box so that the pepperoni and sausage side faced him.

“Whatever. Sweet and salty, it’s the best flavor combination.”

“I’ll tell you what else is sweet and salty.” He gave me a sly smile as he pulled out a slice and folded it in half.

“Goddammit, Josh, don’t you dare ruin my pizza. Besides, pepperoni and sausage? That’s, like, so gay-boy of you.”

He took a big bite and then continued, “Hey, whatever. I’m secure in my stereotype.”

I shook my head and took a couple of bites as I leaned back against the base of the sofa.

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