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So, needless to say, I stopped going to Bible study. And I started coming to book club instead.
The reading is better, anyway.
As I set down my thrifted copy ofTorrid Affair, I greet the other two women—Mary and Sylvia.
The door chimes again, and I look up to see Sadie stroll in. She has a backpack hanging from her shoulder and two grocery bags in her hands. I see her in the club setting so often that it’s always interesting to me to see her in regular, everyday clothes.
With a cropped crewneck riding up to expose her belly and a pair of loose joggers hanging on her hips, I’m envious of how she manages to look like an adorable mess and a sex goddess at the same time.
She wears her curves with a confidence that I admire.
“Sorry I’m late!” she stammers as she ambles in, knocking her bags against the dryers as I rush over to help her.
“You’re not late,” I say, taking the groceries.
“I am always late,” she replies. “I had a huge test today in my lit class and a paper due tomorrow, and I’m going to be a bad book club member because I totally didn’t finish the book.”
Laughing, I give her a smile. “You’re fine. We’ll fill you in.”
“How do you do it?” she asks as she drops her backpack. “You’re getting your master’s and raising a kid and fucking two guys at once. You’re a superwoman.”
Everyone laughs. “Well,” I say, clearing my throat. “Thosetwomen help a lot. I couldn’t do it without them. Besides, you’re managing a sex club and getting your degree. Give yourself some credit.”
“I need to find a man.” She groans as she picks up a brownie.
Just then, the door chimes again, and to my surprise, it’s not a woman who walks in but Caleb’s twin brother, Lucas. He’s carrying a large box and struggles to get through the door.
“Oh my god, you’re a lifesaver,” Sage exclaims as she jogs across the Laundromat to take the box from Luke.
“Don’t mention it,” he replies sheepishly, glancing up at the rest of us. When his eyes meet Sadie, he freezes for a moment. Something intense passes through their gazes before he shakes it off and looks away.
“The library at the university donated a bunch of old books for our next meeting,” Sage says as she drops the box onto the floor. Reaching in, she pulls out a yellowing copy ofForbidden Desires.
“This was at the university library?” I ask, picking up another and smiling at the dramatic artwork on the cover. It’s a couple in a historic setting. Her hair is swept away by the wind, and the man holds her in his arms, his hand resting on her stomach.
Luke clears his throat. “The librarians kept them in the back, but they said no one’s touched them in years. When I heard about your book club…I thought you might be interested.”
“You’re the best,” Sage says, squeezing his arm.
“Are you hungry?” Sadie asks, gesturing toward the food.
Luke tenses, looking anywhere but at her as he shakes his head. “Kind of you, but, erm, no. Thank you.”
With that, Lucas waves at us before making his way back to the door.
Then, we dig into the food and find our seats around the card table. Gladys pours the margaritas, and we all start gushing about the book.
“What did you think, Briar?” Sylvia asks at one point, and I don’t miss a beat, answering with how romantic I thought the entire story was.
“I loved the part where they just gave in to their desires. I know it was wrong, but it all worked out in the end. That’s what I love about these books; they always end happily. It proves that love really just…conquers all,” I say before taking a drink.
“Cheers to that,” Sage says excitedly.
Grinning, I lift my glass to theirs, and we clink them together in unison.
* * *
I cut myself off after one drink so I could sober up to drive home. When I reach the house, I smile to myself when I spot the pinkish-purple light through the window of the apartment.
