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Madison continued to babble as she clicked away, and all Veronica could think about was how Finn was going to act when he showed up later on. Make that, worry about.
Madison kept up the conversation while clicking and directing her on the chaise. “So, are you really going to make me ask about what’s going on with you and Chef Hottie?” she suddenly asked.
Veronica sat up and swung her legs forward, putting her knees together but her feet far apart in what Madison called a broken doll pose.
“There’s really nothing to tell.” She had already told her about the first encounter after the show, but she’d conveniently forgotten to mention they had agreed to play out each other’s fantasies. And had actually started to do it.
“So then, you haven’t had sex with him?” Madison clicked and clicked again, moving closer, zooming in on her chest.
If Veronica said no, she’d be lying. If she said yes, then she’d have to disclose everything. Madison was the closest friend she’d ever had. A little pathetic after almost thirty years, but she’d never felt comfortable around girls. Always out of place, out of step. Never good enough. But with Madison she could be herself, and if she thought about the other three women out there, they were great, too. They had all gone out of their way to include her this afternoon, and she had no doubt that would continue for the rest of the night. It felt good having women friends. Too good to be true. She wondered what would happen to the friendships she was forming when her fun with Finn came to an end.
Madison straightened and dropped her camera. “I take it by your silence you’re trying to decide whether or not to lie.”
Veronica laughed. “How do you know me so well after so little time?”
Madison shrugged. “You’re not so hard to figure out. Although, I wish you’d understand that you don’t have to play everything so close to the vest with me. I won’t judge you. You could even tell me you once shit your pants. I don’t care.”
Veronica burst out a laugh and shook her head. “You have such a way with words.”
“So…?” Madison sat down beside her, their shoulders touching.
Veronica trusted her new friend, even though they’d only known each other for a few months. “So, we’re sort of…” She sighed. “I don’t even know what to call it.”
Madison nudged her. “You’re having fun. That’s what you call it.”
Veronica turned her head and grinned. “Yeah. It’s really fun.”
“And it’s just what you need.”
She nodded happily, then her shoulders slumped. “But I’m not sure it’s such a good idea that we continue our fun. It’s getting too complicated. Things with my brother are…” Things with Cal were getting worse. He still hadn’t apologized for making her worry sick over his whereabouts the other night, or for the out-of-control party. And it didn’t go unnoticed that his contrary behavior had escalated the moment she returned from her worry-free weekend with Finn. Which only solidified that it could never happen again. Finn was amazing, everything she’d always wanted, but she didn’t think she could deal with the consequences to her family if they continued their affair.
With the exception of her small moment of weakness against the restaurant window, she’d been avoiding him, trying to figure out where to go from here. “I’m afraid when it’s over, we’ll never be able to talk to each other again. I couldn’t bear that. We’re too good friends to ruin that part.”
Finn was one of the most important people in her life. She didn’t know what she would do without him in it.
The whole situation sucked.
Madison sat silent for a moment, then slid off the chaise, crouched, and grabbed Veronica’s hands. “I’m not going to pretend I know anything about love or relationships. But what I do know, and what I don’t want for you, is one year from now, or five years from now, you wake up and realize you’ve sleepwalked your way through the last ten years of your life because you were afraid of what might happen.”
Madison’s eyes grew distant. She was thinking about something. And Veronica realized she didn’t really know much about her friend, or her past.
“Do what makes you happy, honey. No matter what it is. Go after it with all your heart. Screw anybody who disagrees. Life is better alone when you’re happy than tied to someone who’d rather see you miserable.”
Clearly, Madison had been hurt. Badly. Veronica could see it in her friend’s eyes. But she wouldn’t pry. When Madison was ready, she’d tell her about her past, the things that made her the person she was today. A person Veronica admired greatly.
“Do you understand me, V?” Madison stared up at her with compassion.
Veronica nodded. “Yeah.”
Madison patted her hands and stood, flipping her red hair over her shoulder.
“Now, let’s get back to business. Spread those legs, baby girl. Elbows on your knees.”
An hour later, Veronica had posed for about a thousand pictures, the snacks had been picked over, several magnums were empty on the floor, and the girls had gotten a little rowdy. Someone had cranked up the music.
Madison sat at her laptop in the lounge area and fiddled with some of the pictures. She had promised to Photoshop a few on the spot.
“So Veronica, what’s going on in your life?” Penn slithered into the seat next to her with a mischievous grin.
