Me: Yep. I had fun. Well, as much fun as you can have in Destin when you can’t actually swim in the ocean.
Daddio: When we come into the city at the end of the month with Gran, I’ve made some motocross plans with Mack Attack. You wanna join in on the fun?
What?
Me: What do you mean, you made plans with Mack?
Daddio: We’re gonna motocross it up, Katybug.
Have I entered an alternate universe? Not only are they nickname buddies, but my dad has plans with Mack, too?
Me: When did you and Mack even talk about this?
Daddio: A few days ago. I texted him.
“Sorry, I’m late,” Anna’s voice pulls my attention from my phone, and I look up to find her hurrying into the booth seat across from mine. “I’d love to say that it was because of traffic, but you know it’s just who I am. I didn’t even leave my apartment until I was supposed to be here.”
I laugh at that and slide my phone back into my purse. “No worries. I already ordered you a Diet Coke.”
“You’re a goddess,” she says and takes a sip of it.
A few moments later, our server Susie stops at our table, and we order our meals—a turkey club with fries for Anna and a grilled chicken sandwich with a salad for me.
As Susie heads for the kitchen, Anna places her elbows on the table and rests her chin on top of her hands as she fixes her gaze on my face. “Okay, Ms. Avoidance. It’s time for you to spill the details about your Destin trip. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you’ve been getting into school with just enough time to make it to your classroom and spending your free period doingwork,of all things.” She rolls her eyes.
“I haven’t been avoiding you,” I fib while offering my most innocent face.
“Uh-huh,suuuureyou haven’t,” she derides. “Spill it, sister. What happened in Destin?”
“Spill what?” I volley back. “I went to Destin. Got stuck with Mack as a roomie. And ended up slicing my foot open on a seashell. That’s it.”
“Ah, ah, ah.” She waves her index finger at me. “If that were the case, I’d have seen you more than once this week. Plus, I can tell by the way you look.”
Instinctively, I paw at my hair, and she smiles. I scowl. “I don’t look any different.”
“Sure, you do. You have the sex glow.” She waves her hand in front of my face theatrically like it’s some kind of proof.
“What?” I exclaim on a laugh, my cheeks suddenly feelingverywarm. I smack her hand away and sit back in my seat.
“Come on. Don’t play coy. I’m not afraid to hear about a little anal play.”
“Anna!”
“Katy,”Anna challenges back. “Tell me now, or I’m going to keep shouting every embarrassing thing I can think of.”
My eyes narrow, and she proves her muster immediately. “Double penetration! Nipple pinching! Puss—”
“Okay, okay, chill. I’ll tell you.”
I mean, this is my best friend, and the best friends’ rulebook adamantly states that you tell each other everything. I might as well get it over with.
“Thingsdidhappen in Florida. And on the way back from Florida. And they might’ve happened two days ago in the auditorium, but that’sallthat will happen.”
“Holy shit, I knew it!” She reaches out with her index finger and pokes me in the shoulder. “I knew all that sexual tension would eventually come to a climax!”
“What sexual tension?”
“The two of you have been in enemies-to-lovers foreplay since the moment you met,” she answers. “Hell, it even made me horny sometimes just watching you guys interact in the teachers’ lounge.”