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Thirty-Nine
“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
– Joseph Campbell
“I told you he’d be good,” Lucy whispered through Alex’s phone. “And sex releases endorphins and happy hormones—it’s way better for you than jogging! So, how do you feel?”
Alex propped herself up in the once-crisp bed sheets. “Okay, but…odd.”
“Odd? You just said last night was totally uninhibited.”
“It was. But…” She yanked her fingers through her tangled hair. “…it’s so real now. I’m naked in his bed, waiting for him to return from the shops to make me breakfast.”
“Ooh, you lucky bitch.”
“What? Breakfast in bed?”
“Yeah. Love. It. Harry makes me brekkie every weekend. Maybe it’s a posh boy thing?” A smile raised Lucy’s voice. “Either that, or I have him perfectly trained.”
Alex giggled. “Tarq insisted on making me Belgian waffles. I’ve never had a guy make me breakfast in bed before.”
“I like that Tarquin didn’t have anything in. Nothing on hand for breakfast proves that he wasn’t expecting to sleep with you.”
“He didn’t have condoms, either.”
“Fuck. Lex, you didn’t—”
“Lucy, chill. I had some in my clutch, left over from New Year’s.” She pulled the duvet tighter. “But that’s why it’s awkward. We’ve crossed that line, and there’s no going back. He’s been inside me—I have intimate knowledge of his knob! That changes a friendship into something else.”
Lucy laughed. “It does! You regretting it?”
“No. I wanted him last night. My God, Lucy…he can kiss. But this morning, it feels like…I don’t know, like there’s something missing.”
“Oh, Lex…”
“I know Tarq cares for me—a lot. I don’t doubt that for a second, and I really like him.” She stared at a skateboard deck, painted with graffiti-style scenes of London, mounted on the wall. Tarquin had been speechless when Alex gave it to him last week. “We always have fun. I feel safe, appreciated, but sleeping together…I miss feeling that magical something.”
“Okay, wait a minute. So, you didn’t orgasm—?”
“I didn’t say that! I mean…being in love with the person. Sex without love, for me, is…strange. It’s like having hot chocolate but there’s no marshmallows. I want marshmallows. I need marshmallows. Hot chocolate goes from good to out of this world.”
Lucy muffled her laugh. “Sorry…don’t want to wake Harry. Sex and love don’t have to be a package deal, you know? Lex, this is all new to you, right? You might fall in love with him. It’s not uncommon, you know, to develop feelings after you’ve shagged someone.”
Alex shrugged. “I guess I’ll have to sleep with him again to figure that one out.”
“Well, it’s only quarter to seven. Have fun figuring that one out before he leaves for work!” Lucy snickered. “I’m glad you’re okay, though. I was worried I pushed you into something you weren’t ready for.”
“I was ready. I wouldn’t have condoms in my purse if I wasn’t…I’m moving on—literally.”
“Literally?”
“New York called last night.”
“No shit!?”
“They want to meet me. Lucy, Thirteen might actually be happening over there.”
“Fucking amazing! Lex on Broadway!” Lucy whooped. “Oh…! Haribo, sorry.” Her voice strayed from her phone. “Lex is headed for Broadway!”
