Page 107 of Sex Positive

This can’t be how they lose the clinic. She’s worked too hard to give up now.

“We’ll raise the money we need with the expo,” she insists.

Victoria doesn’t appear convinced, and that feels like a punch in the gut. Over the past several months, even as the threat of the clinic shutting down loomed over them, Victoria remained upbeat and encouraging, supporting Charlie and her team’s plans. Now she looks like she doesn’t want to fight anymore, like she’s prepared to give in to the board’s demands.

“You should go home and try and focus on your classes,” Victoria says after a heavy pause. “I know you won’t, but please pretend you will so I can stop worrying that you’re going to try to solve this all on your own.”

The morning started so beautifully. Charlie couldn’t have imagined it’d end with the possibility that all her hard work over the past four months has been for nothing.

Victoria rests a hand on hers and gives her a soft smile. “I’ll call you as soon as I talk to them, Charlie. You have worked so hard. Take a breath until we learn more.”

Charlie stares into Victoria’s gray eyes filled with silent grief, her heart heavy.

She nods and squeezes her fingers. “I’ll try.”

She does not make any attempt to rest. Instead, she kneels on her bedroom floor, surrounded by a corona of expo plans: colorful brochures advertising various forms of birth control; QR codes for discounts on Vibes Come First toys; a list of flavored lube and condom samples she ordered. A large map of Warren Park sits off to the side, a preliminary plan for where each vendor will set up and the location of the stage where the comedians will perform and the panels will take place. A tentative schedule of events lies beside it.

Charlie combs through the list of silent auction items Carolyn sent over. Chewing on her pen cap, she contemplates how she might acquire some pricier items from larger businesses and donors, which would ensure more profits, which would make it less likely that they’d have to sell—

There’s a knock at her bedroom door. Without glancing up, she calls, “Come in.”

The door opens, followed by the most soothing voice. “Hi.”

She glances up briefly, flashing Wes a smile. “Hello. Sy let you in?”

He gingerly steps around the items on the floor and perches on the edge of her bed. “Yes. I get the sense she doesn’t like me.”

Charlie grimaces at him over her shoulder. “That’s my fault. She knows what happened freshman year, but I’ve yet to tell her about…this.”

She returns her attention to her list.

After a brief silence, Wes says, “This?” His tone is casual but curious.

“Tutoring, obviously,” she throws back.

She catches his eye roll. “Obviously.”

“But I might keep you around for a while even after that,” she adds with a small smile. “If you’re lucky.”

In response, he lowers himself to the ground, settling in one of the few open spaces, careful not to crush anything. Leaning over the map, he presses his lips to her temple, her cheek, before gently taking her chin and capturing her lips.

“When did you last eat?” he murmurs against her mouth.

She sighs, resting her forehead against his shoulder. “I haven’t.”

Cupping the nape of her neck, he draws back, narrowing his gaze. “Rogers. Are you serious? It’s three p.m.”

“I’m fine.” She sits back on her heels, out of his reach. “I have to figure this stuff—”

“You’ll be no use to them if you pass out.”

She huffs with indignation. “I would neverpass out.”

He ignores her. Rising to his feet, he takes her hands, pulling her up with him.

“You can take a half hour off to eat.” He tugs on an escaped curl from her bun. “I know today has been really tough, and I’m positive you’re already thinking up a million ways to sort everything out, but it’s important you don’t crash.”

She tries to maintain her glare, but his concern for her well-being is too much. Especially when he flashes his disarming smile and wraps an arm around her waist.