Page 80 of Sex Positive

“She came out to her parents,” she announced. “And she wants me to visit for New Year’s.”

“That’s wonderful!” Charlie threw her arms around her friend. “What are you going to do?”

She bit her lip. “I want to go, but I don’t want to leave you alone.”

Charlie immediately waved her off. “Syeda. Please go if you want to go. I will be mad at you if you don’t because you think I need you here.”

Sy pretended to be offended, but Charlie could see the relief and excitement pouring off of her. “You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

Now Wes hovers behind Charlie while she washes the dishes, listening to the list of things she’s accomplished like it’s the most fascinating story. Music from an artist they discovered they both like pumps softly from her portable Bluetooth speaker on the kitchen table.

“There’s this online birth control company that delivers anywhere in the US, and I’m meeting with one of their reps next week. I’d love it if they set up a table or spoke on a panel.” She removes her third and final batch of cookies from the oven before shutting it off. Wes snatches one of the cool ones, shoving half of it in his mouth. She smiles, rolling her eyes at his boyish grin before returning her attention to the dishes. “We also need a way to feed people, like a food truck or something, but Carolyn says she has it handled.”

“When is it?” As he reaches for a paper towel, Wes’s arm brushes hers, her skin fizzing at the brief contact.

“April eleven.”

He tenses, his expression pained. “I take the LSAT that day.”

Inexplicably, her heart sinks, but she forces her face to remain neutral. She wipes the already spotless countertop with a towel, annoyed by her disappointment.

“That’s okay.” She flashes him a smile he doesn’t return. “It’s not required for the Peer Advocacy group.”

He frowns.

“It’s fine, Quinn,” she says, pausing her cleaning. “It’s not your event.”

“But I want to be there.”

“The LSAT is more important.”

“Rogers.” He eyes her with reproach. “Come on. I would argue it’s not.”

“It’sfine. Okay? Don’t worry about it.”

He doesn’t look convinced.

Itisfine. He needs to take the LSAT, and there aren’t that many opportunities. It’s not like sheneedshim there. Sure, it would be nice, but she’ll have plenty of things to do. She probably won’t even notice he’s missing.

Placing the last of the dishes onto the drying rack, Charlie turns and runs into his chest. Before she can shift out of the way, he presses a palm to her hip. Warmth blooms through her body from the contact.

“Charlie.” His free hand cups her face. “You’re incredible. You’re—” His lips twitch, and she stares at his mouth. “Exceptional. I’ve always known that.”

Her mouth pops open with surprise. The desire she’s held at bay all morning floods her senses. When he tips up her chin, she’s pliant and eager, wanting to kiss him so badly, andto hell with her rules—

Her phone alarm goes off. She springs back so fast she slams her elbow against the counter and quickly silences her phone, swearing under her breath. Heart slamming in her chest, she hurries out of the kitchen, calling over her shoulder, “I’ll be right back,” before disappearing into her bedroom.

She retrieves her birth control pack from her bedside table and pops the pill in her mouth, swallowing it dry. Returning to the main room, she finds Wes fiddling with the stove.

“Everything good?” he asks, not looking at her.

“Yeah. Just my birth control alarm. It goes off every day at seven p.m.”

He nods but says nothing, just opens the package of spring rolls and places them on a clean baking sheet.

She waits, sensing his desire to say something. “Go on. I know you want to ask.”