Page 58 of Semantics

“Hey, are you going out tonight?” Enya asked Arlowe as they all ate dinner around the table.

“Probably, yeah,” Arlowe replied. “I’ve got everything I needed to do this week done, and I could use a night out to blow off some steam.”

“Does that mean we shouldn’t expect you home?” Sarai asked.

“I don’t know yet. Depends on where I go and who I meet.”

“Can you not bring them back here? Go to their place instead,” Sarai said.

“Why?” Arlowe asked.

“Because the last woman you brought home stole food from our fridge, Arlowe. She took our reusable grocery bag, stocked up, and left with it all while you were still asleep. I saw her heading to her car with a bag in hand, thinking it was weird, but I figured it was just the bag she shoved some of her clothes into or something. Then, I went to grab breakfast, and half of our food was gone. She took a whole gallon of milk, Arlowe.”

“It was a half-gallon. You’re exaggerating. And act like every woman I bring back here does stupid shit like that. It was just one time. Either way, I’m not even sure I’ll sleep with anyone tonight. I might want to just dance or grab a drink.”

“I should head out,” Violet said.

“Why?” Enya asked.

“I have plans tonight.”

“Again, Vi?” Arlowe asked.

“Again, what?” Sarai asked. “Oh. Again? Really? Three nights in a row?”

“She asked, and I was up for it, so yes, three times in a row.” Violet smiled. “I’ll probably just stay there tonight, so don’t wait up.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Yes, Arlowe.”

“You brought her back here when you could’ve gone to her place. Why?”

“Why not? I’m an adult. Yes, I have roommates, but it’s not like none of us have ever had a woman stay the night before. You were all out, too, so–”

“Right, but you could’ve gone to her place. She doesn’t have roommates. I’m curious.”

“I… I guess I wanted to be, I don’t know, in my own territory. Is that weird? Like, we were in her territory on the first night, and I wanted her to be in mine.”

“Territory? You sound like a dog peeing on a fire hydrant,” Sarai said.

“I think there’s something to that,” Arlowe said. “Like, if they’re having the really hot, sexy sex, territory would come into play, right?”

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t think I’ve ever had the hot, sexy sex,” Enya offered. “Good sex? Maybe. Bad sex? Definitely. I’m very jealous of you right now, Violet.”

“Sorry?”

“Want to come out with me?” Arlowe asked Enya. “I could use a wingwoman, and maybe you’ll meet someone to have the hot sexy sex with.”

“No, I’m okay, but thanks,” Enya replied.

Violet squeezed her shoulder then, knowing her friend spent more time in her head than anywhere else. It wasn’t just that Enya was good with languages. She actually loved every language that she learned and had a passion for teaching them to people. She’d been offered a professorship at a local university the previous year, and not an associate or one of those adjunct roles, either. They’d offered her an outright professorship and with the possibility of tenure later because of her skills. Violet was honestly surprised that Enya was still with the company. Yes, it had been her idea to begin with, but she could’ve taken jobs elsewhere, translating, teaching, or even as a tour guide in just about any country. Enya had options. Arlowe did, too. On top of any freelance work she wanted, she could work at just about any tech company and be a senior engineer there or even a manager if she wanted that. Violet had met with a group of C-suite folks to network the previous month, and two of them had inquired after Arlowe.

Sarai, Violet supposed, had the fewest options because of her specialty. Sarai had graduated with honors and had had several offers at age twenty-two, but since then, she had only worked at this company, which wasn’t exactly well-known, and since she was in marketing and responsible for building the brand, it would hurt her chances of getting a job elsewhere given their lack of progress. Violet could always join the Russell Group. She knew her father would give her a job in a heartbeat. She’d have to work her way up, yes, but she’d be hired on a division of her choice. She wasn’t sure she’d go that route if this didn’t work out. She might try to apply elsewhere first, but she was still hoping it wouldn’t come to that.

◆◆◆

“God, yes,” Violet let out as she pressed Stella’s head down between her legs.