Page 280 of S is for SEX

“Uh huh. She’s the one I’ve been talking to you for the last few months about,” she paused and smiled.

“Well, you know,” she shrugged.

“Okay, I was thinking so. She’s single?” I asked.

“Uh huh. Yeah. Her boyfriend was the douche. I told you about him. They broke up a month ago. Something like that,” she responded as I handed her some plates from the cupboard.

I grabbed a large platter, silverware, and a roll of paper towels. With my arms full, I leaned toward Kace and kissed her. As we kissed, she set the plates on the countertop and wrapped her arms around me.

“I like doing this with you, Shane. Cooking. Eating. Being a part of your life beyond just living together. I like this. It’s. It’s, well. It’s like we’re a real couple. I like this,” she said as our lips parted.

“I like it too,” I said as I adjusted the paper towels under my arm.

“I want this. I want this forever,” she said as she picked up the plates.

“I do too,” I responded as I started walking toward the door.

“Then let’s do it. Let’s take that step, Shane. I’m ready,” she said.

“It’s not a contest, babe. It’s life. There’s no time limit. If I’m truly what you think you want, need, and desire it’ll happen sooner or later. I’m not going anywhere. And you’ll wait as long as you have to. I am not going to do this in any manner I’m not comfortable with,” I said as I held the door handle in my hand.

“Well, I’m ready,” She smiled.

“Noted,” I said as I opened the door.

As we walked out onto the deck, Liv and Ripp were sitting on the lounge chair together laughing. Each of them had a beer, and Ripp was trying to catch his breath from laughing.

“Looks like they’re having fun,” I whispered to Kace.

“Oh my God, Kace. He’s funny,” Liv said as she nodded her head toward Ripp.

“He can be,” Kace laughed.

“No, he is,” Liv stated, still laughing.

“I was just telling her about your boots,” Ripp laughed.

I raised one eyebrow and turned toward Ripp as I set the plates and silverware down on the table.

“Well, it’s true,” he said.

“Let me see the bottoms of them,” she asked.

I shook my head and turned up the sole of my boot so she could see the holes. As she leaned over and looked, she gasped.

“Oh my God. Those are awful. You were so right,” she laughed as she slapped Ripp’s leg.

I turned toward Kace and rolled my eyes. As she set the plates down on the table, I sat on the edge of the lounge chair. Kace sat down beside me and leaned over, resting her head on my shoulder. As I wrapped my right arm around her, Ripp stood up and walked toward the grill.

“So, what’s with the hoodie?” Liv asked quizzically.

“What about it?” I responded.

“Well, it’s almost a hundred degrees. You’re wearing a hoodie, boots, and jeans. Don’t you feel out of place?” she asked as she motioned to Ripp and Kace.

I raised my eyebrows, looked at Ripp and Kace, then turned back to face Liv, “No. I don’t.”

“So, why wear it in the summer?”

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