Page 10 of Not Just Gal Pals

Amanda stubbornly shook her head again. “No, I insist. Blake was holding it when the music stopped. I’m not going to steal a present from the true winner! What kind of bridezilla do you think I am? C’mon Blake, open it.”

Everyone started chanting, “Open it! Open it! Open it!” Under peer pressure, I reluctantly peeled back the wrapping paper.

The present was more substantial than the others and also wrapped more tightly, with layers of pink wrapping paper to remove.

I clumsily ripped off pieces of paper, my eyes darting up to Jenny who sat frozen, watching me.

A pink, rounded end poked through the wrapping paper. I stared at it blankly for a moment before realizing what it was.

I scratched my neck and took a deep breath. Well, there was no turning back now. Better get this over and done with. I pulled off the last piece of wrapping paper.

In my hands was a big, pink rabbit vibrator. As heat crept up my neck, the room erupted into squeals.

I swallowed. An image of Jenny in a sex-toy shop, examining the toys for sale, holding this one in her hands and inspecting it closely, flashed into my mind.

Blood rushed to my face at the thought, and my hands felt shaky. I hoped it wasn’t noticeable. It’s not like she chose it for you. Get a grip, Blake.

Dragging my eyes away from the vibrator, I looked up at Jenny. Our eyes locked, and my cheeks burned harder. Suddenly paranoid that she could read my mind, that she could tell I’d been thinking of her touching it, I looked away.

I wasn’t exactly a prude when it came to toys—I had my own stash in my bedside table and considered myself a sex-positive person—but being accidentally gifted a vibrator by Jenny had completely thrown me. Did Jenny choose it because she liked it?

BLAKE. Whatever you do, do NOT think about Jenny using it.

“You’re probably more in need of it, anyway.” Amanda’s teasing voice thankfully broke my thoughts.

Well, Amanda had a point, since I wasn’t the one happily coupled up and about to get married. And while pink wasn’t usually my color of choice, I’d make an exception for a vibrator hand-selected by Jenny.

* * *

JENNY

I cleared my throat.

“How about we go for a ‘promenade around the grounds’ to help digest the cakes,” I suggested, my voice unnaturally chirpy. I was trying to avoid looking or thinking about Blake, but the air buzzed with her presence, and my whole body was reacting to it, especially my cheeks. At this rate, I’d never have to apply blush again.

I wasn’t sure why I felt so embarrassed about Blake getting the vibrator. If it had been anyone else, I wouldn’t have cared. But it felt very personal, very intimate, for Blake to be holding it. I’m sure her current outfit didn’t help, either. And the idea of Blake potentially using it...oh boy. Although, if I’d known I’d been picking out a vibrator for her, I would’ve chosen one of those expensive, sleek, minimalist ones. Thinking about vibrator shopping for Blake is not helping matters, Jenny! I let out a deep breath.

I needed some space. And fresh air. And luckily, we had that in abundance on the other side of the door. Old Cedar Tea Parlor sat on the border of a conservation area, nestled in crimson trees and overlooking a large pond with Monet-esque water lilies.

Everyone seemed receptive to a walk, so we got up and trailed out of the tea parlor. Holding up my dress so it didn’t drag on the ground, I fell into step with Maya, who I hadn’t had a chance to catch up with yet. Talking about work, family, and life events, combined with the cool air, helped disperse the heat from my cheeks and get my pulse under control.

It was another perfect fall day. The late-afternoon sun was golden and soft, making the leaves of the old oak trees glow. Walter was having the time of his life, racing around sniffing rocks and peeing on tree trunks. Crisp leaves crunched under our feet. And to my relief, Blake was walking behind me. It wasn’t quite out of sight, out of mind—I was hyperconscious of Blake’s voice, low and warm—but it was far better than being in the same room with her, struggling to keep my eyes off her.

I slowly inhaled the fresh air. Everything was fine. Everything would be fine. Amanda would have an amazing bachelorette night and wedding, and then I wouldn’t have to spend any more time with Blake. Everything would be more than fi—

A blur of golden-brown fur raced in front of me toward the pond. The pond was covered in water lilies, providing such a dense green coverage it looked more like a continuation of the grass than a body of water. I had a sinking feeling Walter, who hated getting wet, didn’t realize what it was. “Walter!” I yelled. “Come back!”

But it was too late. Walter flew off a rock. With the athleticism of a long jumper, he landed with an enormous splash in the pond, sending the water lilies wobbling like jelly. When Walter didn’t immediately surface, panic shot through my chest. I sprinted down to the water’s edge as fast as my too-long period dress would allow. Shit.

I desperately scanned the pond for him. After a few seconds, Walter’s soaked little head poked up amongst the lilies, his eyes wide with shock and his usually fluffy hair slicked down with water. I let out a deep breath in relief.

“Walter! Come here!” I called, but he just stared at me, panicked. I could see his legs splashing frantically, sending the lilies wobbling but achieving little else. If anything, he was paddling deeper into the pond. Walter started letting out distraught little yelps, and I couldn’t stand it any longer.

I jumped into the pond.

Freezing-cold water blasted my skin. I gasped, braced myself, and started wading toward Walter, waist deep in water. This was no easy feat given the amount of excess fabric I was wearing and the water lilies. I’d never thought about what laid under lily pads before, but I soon discovered they had surprisingly thick stems that sunk into the mud at the bottom of the pond.

Focused on reaching Walter, I barely registered that the rest of the bachelorette party had run down to the edge of the pond and was yelling at me.