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I can still taste the marshmallow and chocolate from the s’mores we made. Prior to that, we dined on a charcuterie board and butternut squash soup with warm biscuits.
I take another sip of bourbon—which happens to pair nicely with s’mores—from a paper coffee cup.
“We’re fancy.” I hold up my cup to Easton when he returns from packing up the boat.
The goal is to see the stars, but if I get too cold, he wants to be able to jump in the boat and go.
He toasts his bourbon-filled coffee cup to mine. “We are the epitome of fancy. Gilded age, look out.”
I laugh. “You don’t watch that show.”
“I’m surprised you do.” He heard me talking about it with Everleigh.
“Why?” I sip more bourbon, loving the sweet and smoky flavor and the heat that travels through my body.
“It doesn’t have murder.” He glances at the tiny cabin-like structure. “Want to move inside to watch the stars? It’s warmer.”
So far, I’ve been fine, but now that the sun is down, it’s probably a good idea.
“Sure.” I help him carry the mound of furry blankets inside and lay two on the floor. The entire ceiling is made of glass, similar to what they use on boats. Easton explained it all on the lake ride out here.
Once we’re inside the shelter, Easton turns on a small lantern in the corner. It casts a low glow. We remove our jackets and pull a big blanket over us as we lie down, taking in the view.
“Are you warm enough?” Easton asks.
I nod. “You’re very attentive.”
“You say it like it’s a bad thing.”
“No. It’s nice. It’s just you’re not even my boyfriend and you care for me—my needs—more than it seems Dash ever did.”
“It sounds like Dash didn’t know a good thing when he had it.”
I laugh, but it lacks gusto. “He…” I stop myself. Before, I’d talk about Dash to Easton, but now I’m not sure it’s fair. Of course, that implies Easton would care in a boyfriend way and that is not what he’s about. Still, it doesn’t feel right.
“Say it.” He takes my hand under the blanket and laces our fingers. “It’s still us.”
“Yeah, but we have sex now.”
“Technically, we haven’t.”
I bump his side with our clasped hands. “You know what I mean.”
“Say the word when you want me to fix that. I’m all in.”
I keep my gaze on the darkening sky, the stars not yet shining. The raft is motionless, the lake calm. “What happens after we do?” I dare to ask.
I feel his gaze on my profile. “We rest, or we do it again. I’m flexible.”
A giggle pushes up my throat. “What if it changes things between us?”
“How so?”
I take a breath, unsure if I’m ready for the answer. “What if we’re done? How do we stay friends after sharing that? I know you do it all the time, but I don’t know how.”
He rolls onto his side. “I’ll teach you.”
I don’t know what I wanted him to say. We won’t stop having sex. He doubts he’ll be done with me. I’ll teach you, wasn’t it, though.
