“Don’t say that. It’s not like you’re climbing Mount Everest. You’re in a fancy hotel in Washington.”
I groaned. “It’s not that fancy. Whatever. I need advice.”
“That sounds serious. I’m always here for you, love. What’s going on?”
“Well, you know how you used to have a lot of one-night stands?”
The line was quiet for so long I thought she hung up. “Yes…” She carried out the word, afraid to let it go. “Why?”
“Well… I might have met someone yesterday and invited them to my room tonight for drinks and?—”
“Oh. My. God. Kaia Celeste Rhodes, please do not tell me you are going to hook up with a stranger!”
“What?! Give me the phone! Hello, Kaia? What the hell is she talking about? A one-night stand? Yeah fucking right! That better be a joke. I will drive there right now and beat your ass. Save your flower for Daisy.” Blair’s screeching voice came over the line, and I groaned.
“God, Blair, gross! Never say that again, please. Also, are you two ever apart?”
“No. Now tell me, what the hell is this I hear about you inviting a hooker over for sex?”
“Oh my God. She’s not a hooker. At least, I don’t think she is. I met her on my walk around the town and she asked me out. I called her this morning, and we started talking and?—”
“And you asked her for sex? Or she asked you? If she’s trying to take advantage of you, I swear to God!”
I groaned. “Will you stop? First of all, I’m an adult, okay? And second, I guess I technically asked her. I told her I needed a distraction from my life back home, and…” I trailed off, leaving my meaning hanging in the air.
“Oh, sweetie.” Blair’s voice was soft and sympathetic, like she knew exactly what I meant. “You really think sleeping with a stranger you have no connection to is going to help you get over Daisy?”
“I have to try,” I whispered. “This whole trip has been nothing but thoughts of her. Everywhere I go, something or someone reminds me of her. Living with her has only made things worse. I’m already looking for somewhere else to live. Now I need to look for someone else to love.”
“I hate this for you, babe. Remind me again why you can’t just tell her how you feel?”
I groaned, wiping away the tears I hadn’t realized were falling. “She’s my best friend, B. I’m afraid if I tell her how I feel, it’ll ruin our friendship and I’ll lose her altogether. I can’t take that risk. Can I please talk to Drea about this? She’s the expert and I need advice.”
“Shewasthe expert, missy. I don’t agree with this, but you have to do what you think is best. Hold on.”
“You’ve gotten my love upset, so explain yourself.”
“I’m sorry. I need to know what to do. How do I have a one-night stand? I was planning on just getting drunk so hopefully I’d forget.”
“Kaia, that is not you at all. What’s going on?”
“Drea, just… please. I need a distraction. I need to move on. I have to.”
She sighed. “I don’t like this side of you, Kaia. Start with a conversation. I know you’ll be in your head about it. Let her take control, but set rules and boundaries. Be honest and safe. You still have the Mace I gave you?”
I chuckled. “Yes, mother, I do. And the taser Blair gave me for my birthday. I’m safe. She already knows what I’m looking for.”
“Okay, good. If you drink, don’t get too drunk to where you won’t remember, please. You both need to consent.”
“Thanks, Dre.”
“Are you sure about this, Kai?”
I sighed. “I’m just trying something new. If you and Kenzie can do it, why can’t I?”
“Because it’s not who you are, love.”
“Outside the bookstore and loving Daisy, I don’t really know who I am. Maybe this is me, Dre. I’ve got to go. Thanks for the advice.”
