William’s eyes were wide and his crooked smile had spread into a full grin. “I’m sorry. I forgot what we were talking about. Your joyful…bouncewas…distracting,” William said as he pulled me closer to him.
We folded against each other and converged, touching and kissing. His muscular thigh pushed between my own and he pulled me against him. I kissed him again and sighed as he moved me against his thigh and hip in just the right way to ignite a warm pleasure inside me. I would have let William do anything at that moment, but my cell phone began loudly playing “Best Friend” by Saweetie.
When he pulled his head back from our kiss, he said with amusement, “Veronica has a cool ringtone. Do I get a cool ringtone?”
I laughed. “You must earn the custom ringtone,” I said, hoisting myself up to get my phone before the song got to the second verse. “I can’t spend ninety-nine cents for a ringtone on just anyone!”
William propped himself up on one elbow and as he promised, he watched me cross the room to find my cell phone, which I silenced before it broke out into the full female empowerment anthem that it was. I slipped my dress back on and gathered my bra and panties. I hurried upstairs to shower and get ready before another renter or Aunt Rita caught me in the hallway or stairwell.
Veronica was already at the diner when I arrived. I slid into the booth. “Sorry, I’m running a few minutes behind.”
“No worries, Birthday Girl.” Veronica beamed. “You’re glowing.”
“Must be that extra bit of spring sunshine,” I said, opening the menu. “Where’s Gus?”
“Oh, he and Matt went to play golf.” Veronica looked at the menu as she pushed her lips forward. “I think Matt is going to head to Charlston later today. He’s got an interview there and said it might be good for him to get there a few days early to prepare.”
“That’s great,” I said. “He called me this morning and we talked. I’m sure he’ll knock their socks off. So, how’s it been going back to work?”
Veronica knew me well enough to know that I was changing the subject away from Matt on purpose, and since it was my birthday, she was going to let this go for now. We slid into our regular banter about work and gossip.
After we ordered, Veronica asked, “Any special plans for your birthday?”
“Well, this breakfast is pretty special,” I said. Veronica pretended to give an elaborate curtsey from her seat in the booth. I added as I took a sip of my coffee, “And I think I’m going to go to dinner with Aunt Rita and William later. William and I have been watchingGame of Throneson Tuesdays and my favorite holiday movies on Thursdays. We…um…missed watching our show last night.” I smirked.
Veronica’s eyes widened when she heard William’s name. After New Year’s Day, my pride had prevented me from admitting to anyone, especially Veronica, how much time I had been spending with William over the last few months. I licked my lips and tried to act cool as a cucumber.
“Well, I did notice that William was the one who brought you to the party last night. Aunt Rita said he would be the best person, which I thought was odd since you said he was literally the worst.” She put air quotes around the wordsliterally the worst.
“So, you’re still going with the ‘we’re just friends’ thing with William?” Veronica said, placing air quotes around friends.
"What’s with the air quotes?” I joked.
Veronica ignored me. “Is he just one of your casual friends you’ve been hanging out with?”
“Um, maybe not after last night,” I said quietly, looking around. I could feel my cheeks turn pink.
Veronica gave me a wide-eyed look. “He’s so hot. Did y’all just like make out, or do it? Was the sex good?”
I didn’t respond. My lips pushed down into a modest grin. Veronica read my face and body language. She laughed. “Okay, gurrrl.”
I shushed her and we both looked around.
“Relax,” Veronica teased. “No one is eavesdropping on the town librarian.”
“Well,” I said. “Maybe I need a few drinks before I loosen up enough to give all the details, but it was amazing.”
“Why didn’t you lead with this?!” Veronica demanded.
“I don’t know. I just, I think it all just kind of hit me,” I said. I paused, and then trying to temper my excitement, I said, “But it was the best sex I have ever had. Like for posterity's sake, I need you, as my best friend and life witness, to know that on the very last night of my twenties I had life-altering, mind-blowing sex.”
Veronica laughed and gave me a high five. “That’s what I’m talking about. Going out there and having a hot birthday sex hook-up!”
I paused and said, “Let’s just get the elephant out of the room. Matt.”
Veronica nodded solemnly and crossed her arms. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Ever since we were freshmen in college, we had our way of dealing with whatever questionable situation was the ‘elephant in the room.’ The one friend would ask a series of pointed questions to make sure the other had considered all the possibilities.
