Page 111 of Sex Positive

Charlie picks at the loose thread on the throw pillow again. “I don’t want him to do that, though.”

Sy takes her hands, gently pulling her fingers away from the innocent pillow. “It’s okay to let people do things for you. It sounds like hewantsto do this.”

“What if he regrets it and resents me?”

“Then he doesn’t deserve you,” Syeda declares, righteous vehemence in her words. “Hewantsyou to succeed. He wants you to achieve everything you’ve ever wanted. You’re allowed to have a partner, someone who understands you and treats you the way you deserve to be treated.”

Charlie leans back against the couch, Sy’s hand still in hers. “Is that how you feel with Bri?”

Something flickers across her friend’s face, but it’s gone before Charlie can study it. “Mostly, yes. She’s still figuring things out with her family, and I want to be there for her, but sometimes it feels harder than it needs to.”

Charlie rests her head on her friend’s shoulder. “I’m here for you. You know that, right?”

Syeda kisses her temple. “Of course.” Then she rests her cheek on her palm and studies Charlie for several long seconds.

Charlie arches a brow.

Sy raises both of hers.

Charlie’s face heats.

Sy’s mouth curls into a beautiful smile. “Are we going to talk about it?”

Despite everything, Charlie laughs.

Sy wiggles her brows. “Did someone get their cherry popped last night?”

“Oh my god!” Charlie chucks the throw pillow at her head. “No one says that!”

“You laughed, though.”

A surge of adoration fills her chest; she is so deeply grateful for the luck that brought Syeda into her life freshman year.

“Yes.” Charlie makes it a point not to look away. “I had sex last night.”

Sy curls her legs under her. “And?”

“I thought you didn’t approve.”

Sy gestures to her. “Like I told you before, you are smart and rational, so I figure that whatever is happening between you two makes sense for you. And you’re positivelyglowing, so I’m assuming it was satisfactory.”

Charlie shakes her head in amusement. “It was.”

Sy winks. “And he made you come?”

Charlie blushes, but she doesn’t fight her grin. “More than once.”

“Oh, goodman. I may not swing for him, but objectively, he’s attractive.”

“An enthusiastic endorsement if ever there was one,” Charlie deadpans. Despite her grief over the clinic and her conflicted emotions about Wes’s decision, this small bit of normalcy—exchanging sex stories with her best friend—is a welcome reprieve.

Syeda squeezes her hand. “I love you, Charlie. You’re not alone, you know. You don’t have to do everything by yourself. You have people who love and care about you and want to support you.”

Charlie squeezes back. She doesn’t know what lies ahead, but she’s grateful for the knowledge that family doesn’t have to be blood related.

Thirty-Two

“I’m thrilled we’llbe doing business together, Dr. Angelo,” Gabriel Quinn says from the laptop screen. “I’m certain this is the start of a beautiful new relationship.”