Page 120 of Just for the Plot

“Then I’m only going to ask one more time. What happened?”

I let out a large sigh and then word vomit all over her, because she asked for it, and she’s right, I can’t lie. “Oh my God, Adalade, I’m so fucked, like majorly fucked, and I don’t know what I’m going to do about it because I could lose my friendship and I don’t want to lose my friendship, but oh my God, I can’t stop thinking about it, about him and the way it felt and I want more, but I know I shouldn’t have more, and I just think it’s because I’m horny, not because I like him or anything like that. At least I don’t think I like him, even though he’s sweet and kind, and handsome and has the best fucking body I’ve ever seen, but I don’tlikehim, but I lost control last night and oh my God, I dry-humped him.” I nod. “Yes, you heard that right, I dry-humped him, on the floor of my apartment, justhumping my life away, clothes and all, no shame. Nope, there I was, on top of him, grinding against his dick, tearing his shirt open—” My hands go to my mouth. “Oh my God, that’s right, I tore his shirt open, like he was the main event of aMagic Mikeshow. Oh my God, what is wrong with me? Maybe the romance novels are getting to my brain and I thought it was appropriate to just dry-hump a man on the floor of my apartment without any thought or care. And I haven’t heard from him, even though he texted this morning, so I guess I did hear from him, but I didn’t read it, okay, I did, he said good morning, but I didn’t respond, okay, I might have. I sent a heart emoji because I didn’t know what else to say, but he didn’t respond to that and now I’m here and I don’t know what to do.”

I take that moment to slide down the face of the cabinet until my butt hits the floor.

“Well.” Adalade clears her throat. “That was a lot to take in.”

“You shouldn’t have asked.”

“No, no. I’m glad I did.” She motions for me to stand. “Come sit down, as I’m not about to have this chat on the floor.”

I follow her over to the kitchen table and we both take a seat, me slouching, her poised like the posh socialite she is.

“Now, when you say ‘he’ and ‘him,’ are you speaking of Bennett or someone else?”

“Bennett,” I groan, hating that I even have to say that out loud.

“I see, and remind me why this is a problem? Because everyone loved you two together last night. We thought you were so adorable.”

“It’s a problem because he’s my best friend’s little brother, eight yearslittle, Adalade, and I promised her that I’d always protect him, and dry-humping him on my living room floor is not protecting him. That’s taking advantage.” My hand goes to my forehead. “Oh my God, I took advantage of someone younger than me. I should be put in jail.”

“My goodness, Bower, get a hold of yourself. If he’s eight years younger, that makes him twenty-four, a very acceptable age to be dry-humping.”

“Do you know what’s not acceptable? Dry-humping your best friend’s brother. That is not acceptable in any way.”

“I don’t see an issue with it.”

“Adalade,” I groan. “It’s so bad. Like…really, really bad. She will lose her mind if she finds out.”

“Are you going to tell her?”

“What?” I feel my eyes pop out of their sockets, practically winking right against Adalade’s semi-wrinkly skin. “Have you lost your mind? Of course I’m not going to tell her. That would be the worst idea ever.”

“Then what are you worried for? Do you think Bennett will tell her?”

I grip Adalade’s arm in a panic. “Oh shit, I don’t know. Do you think he’d tell her? He tells her almost everything. What if…oh my God, what if he already told her? What if she’s on her way to San Francisco right now to punch me square in the nose? I know I seem tough, but I can tell you right now I will not take well to a punch to the nose. I bleed easily.”

“Where on earth is this coming from? Honestly, dear, this is very unbecoming.”

“I’m sorry, I’m just…I’m losing it. I know I am. I’m freaking out.” I lean in closer and whisper, “And do you know what the worst part is? I really liked it. Like…liked it so much that I haven’t stopped thinking about it.” And in even more of a whisper, I add, “And he was huge. I felt just how big.”

Adalade cracks a smile. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from him.”

I prop my elbows up on the table and bury my head in my hands. “Adalade, what the hell am I going to do?”

“Great question, I’m glad you asked. First, you’re going to relax, because the sister won’t find out.”

I pop my head up. “Wait, but what if he told her?” I spot my phone on the counter and quickly grab it. There’s a text from Bennett.

“Oh my God, he texted me.”

Calmly, Adalade says, “And what did he say?”

I open it up and read it out loud.I’m going to be at the zoo today and then I head straight to the stadium. Late game tonight. Didn’t want you to think I was avoiding you. Can we meet up tomorrow, maybe read some books together for the book club?

“That sounds very sweet.”

“Is it? I can’t tell. Is he playing games?”