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“I’m not avoiding you,” he said at last, even as he continued to hug her. “Work really is kicking my ass, and I thought you might like some space, some time to yourself. I didn’t realize Toby and Rich would notice my absence, let alone miss me.”
Penny snorted. “You’re kidding, right? You’re the coolest friend they’ve ever had.”
Gage released her, but he didn’t move away. “You always say that, but the truth is, I’m more comfortable with you guys than I’ve ever been with my frat brothers in college, other work colleagues, or even my brothers.”
“So what I’m hearing you say is you’re a big old nerd too,” she teased. Penny dug deep, fighting to maintain this easy-breezy disposition. It felt like the years of practice, honing her “I’m okay with this” skills, had all been for this moment.
“I’m sorry I left the other night.”
She shook her head. “You don’t have to—”
“Let me say it, Penny. I said I was trying to give you space this week, but the truth is,Iwas the one who needed space.”
“Why?”
Gage looked away. “That’s a hard question to answer.”
She waited, then realized he didn’t intend to try.
Time to finish her speech and get out. “Okay. Well. I’m letting you off the hook for the rest of the lessons. I just wanted to let you know so—”
“The rest of what lessons?” he interjected.
“The sex lessons.”
“We covered that part of the wager,” he insisted.
Penny shrugged. “Not really. I said I wanted to be good in bed.”
“Jesus Christ. Let’s get something clear. You’re good in bed. You’re fuckingawesomein bed.”
Now she frowned. “We only went over two positions. Everybody’s probably good at missionary and doggie style. They’re like, super basic.”
Gage put his hands on his hips and leaned in until his face was close to hers. “The terms of the wager have been fulfilled. Paid in full.”
“Not really, but—”
“Dammit, Penny. You can’t keep adding to the terms of the bet.”
“I’m not. The wager was for sex lessons,plural. Obviously, it’s implied—”
“Implied, like your virginity was implied?”
She ignored his outburst. “Implied that we’d cover all the positions.”
“All?”
“Well, okay, maybe not all, but a hell of a lot more than two. That’s practically nothing.”
Gage crossed his arms and shook his head. “Nothing,” he muttered, clearly talking to himself. “She thinks the other night wasnothing.”
“That’s not what I said,” she answered, even though he wasn’t talking to her. “Friday night was incredible. Mind-blowing. And it just…well, it whetted my appetite for more. But since the lessons are over, I guess it’s time to put them to the test.”
Gage’s eyes narrowed, and she got the immediate sense he was angry. “How?”
“I’m thinking I should ask David out for a date.”
“The fucking neighbor?” he barked.
