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Even now, I smile dreamily just remembering how his seed filled me those few times. The intimacy was out of this world, and to be honest, I’d do it again if given the opportunity. Then my phone buzzes, jolting me from my reverie. Is it Dani with a funny gif? Or my mom with one of her annoying daily gratitudes? But when I look down, my stomach sinks because it’s Zora, Preston’s daughter and my good friend.
I really haven’t spoken to Zora since the wedding because she was on her honeymoon for a few weeks, and then she and Tim moved when they got back. They relocated to Nassau, which isn’t so far away, but I didn’t want to bother her in the middle of hauling boxes. Not only that, but I was already seeing Preston, and it was just easier to avoid Zora rather than awkwardly lie.
But now, I can’t avoid it. I take a steadying breath and pick up the phone.
“Hey, long time no talk,” I say cheerfully as Zora giggles.
“Yeah, tell me about it. Sorry about that. I’ve been crazed with the honeymoon and the move.”
“Oh, right! How was Bora Bora?”
“Amazing,” she sighs. “I wish we didn’t have to leave, but I’m not sure Tim feels the same way.”
“No? Why not?”
My buddy snorts with hilarity. “That nincompoop fell asleep on the beach on the first day and got a wicked sunburn. He looked like a boiled lobster and was in total agony for the rest of our honeymoon. I couldn’t even touch him.”
“Oh, my God. Is he okay? Is he still in pain?”
Zora laughs.
“Yeah, at first it was really awful, and I thought we were going to have to take him to the hospital. But he got better after a few days, and that’s when we tried to resume marital relations. Nope! We had no sex on our honeymoon, Carolyn. Zip. Zero.”
I gasp.
“Holy cow.”
“I know, right?” my friend sings. “How does that even happen? But Tim’s better now, and I can assure you that our conjugal sessions have resumed. It’s so silly thinking back, right? But enough about me. How have you been, Carebear? How’s our knitting circle going?”
I want to tell her everything, but it’s too complicated especially now that I’m carrying her half-sibling.
“Um, you know. Same old same old. The wedding was beautiful,” I say in an attempt to change the subject.
Zora gasps. “OMG, I almost forgot. What happened between you and Corey? You know we took off for Bora Bora right after, so you never told me.”
I groan silently. I don’t want to go through it again, but quickly, I give her an overview.
“Well, needless to say, we broke up right away. I’m really sorry about the scene he made, Zor. I wanted to apologize to you way sooner, but I was just so embarrassed and then you left.”
My friend’s tone is sympathetic. “It’s not your fault at all, Carolyn. Besides, I never really liked Corey. He was such a snooty-nosed twit, and he never treated you right.”
I laugh ruefully. “Yeah, that seems to be a popular opinion around these parts. I just wish I’d known before we broke up, and not after all the chips were lying on the floor. But seriously, girlfriend, I’m so sorry about your wedding. He shouldn’t have thrown those breadsticks.”
Zora laughs.
“Don’t even worry about it. That breadstick tantrum just shows how childish and ridiculous Corey is. But did my dad help when he went out to talk to you in the hall? I swear, my dad always wants to get involved in things.”
My heart begins to race again, and I blush but force my voice to sound normal. How do I explain that not only did Preston and I have a hot interlude right outside her reception, but that I’ve continued seeing him since?
“Um yes, Preston was very helpful. He was very resourceful and definitely helped Corey calm down.”
Zora nods. “That’s good because I was worried about you, girlfriend. Guys like that gaslight, and try to make you think you’re crazy, instead of them being crazy. But Preston is good at dealing with assholes like that. He can be very commanding after two decades at the helm of a company.”
I swallow thickly. “Yeah, I know what you mean. He knew exactly the right thing to say.”
Zora laughs lightly. “That’s years of practice for you,” she remarks. “But honestly, it can go too far. Sometimes my dad is a little too persuasive and charming, if you know what I mean.”
I hesitate and bite my lip. “Really? What do you mean?”
Zora launches into an explanation. “I mean, at least with women, Preston has the magic touch. He’ll sort of say whatever they want to hear and as a result, he’s got their panties off and their bellies impregnated in no time. Honestly, he’ll meet someone, seduce them, and then sayonara. You know. Typical rich man shit. It can be disgusting, if I say so myself.”
