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“Not ready for that,” Lucy said, shaking her head. “Kon and I are going to take the summer to explore Europe. Fifteen countries in six weeks.”
“Holy shit,” I breathed. “That sounds amazing.”
“It’s a little rushed, but the whole point is to see as many countries as possible. And we can adjust our schedule if we want to stay somewhere longer since we’re driving for most of it.”
“How exciting,” I said. “I’ve never been out of North America. Europe is at the top of my list, though.”
“Lars has it in his head we’re taking the babies to Sweden this summer,” Sheridan said, chuckling. “I don’t think he has any idea what’s about to happen to our lives. He’s romanticized it in his mind.”
“That’s sweet, though,” I said. “I mean, wouldn’t it be worse if he didn’t care at all?”
“Oh, for sure.” Sheridan nodded. “He’s been amazing through the whole pregnancy, but I think he’s looking at all our friends who’ve had one baby at a time, thinking we’ll get some help and settle into a routine relatively quickly. The concept of two different babies, two different personalities, and potentially two totally different schedules hasn’t sunk in.”
Hadley grimaced. “I’m glad we’re just having one, though the idea of being pregnant once and never again has its appeal.”
“You think two babies are going to be enough for Lars?” Sheridan snorted. “He said he wants five.”
“Five?” Lucy’s eyes widened.
Then we all busted up laughing.
“Lord have mercy.” Nina shook her head. “Let’s revisit this conversation in six months.”
“What about you, Jolie?” Lucy asked. “What’s happening with your love life?”
My cheeks warmed.
I couldn’t tell them about Boone and me.
Could I?
“Uh, nothing really. You know. I’m focused on writing my dissertation and helping out with Joey.”
“Uh-huh.” Sheridan cocked her head, a glint in her eye. “So you’ve learned how to give yourself hickeys?”
“What?” My hand immediately flew to my neck—that damn place Boone loved to suck on—and the girls burst out laughing again.
“Who is it?” Hadley asked, leaning forward. “Come on, dish. I’m so married and pregnant, I have to live vicariously through you and Lucy.”
My face had to be bright red. I couldn’t tell them about Boone. If word got out, my father would lose his mind.
“I…can’t,” I whispered.
The four of them quickly got quiet, watching me intently.
“You’re seeing someone on the team,” Sheridan said slowly.
I didn’t move. Hell, I could barely breathe.
“Boone.” Lucy and Hadley spoke together.
I groaned.
“Why is it a secret?” Nina asked in confusion.
“You guys can’t tell a soul,” I said. “Please. You don’t know my dad. He can be such a jerk when it comes to me and this is Boone’s career. His livelihood. It could go wrong in so many ways.”
“Your dad would do something like that?” Sheridan asked.
“Not directly, but yes, he could make his life miserable for no reason other than he’s my dad and the only guys good enough for me are the ones he picks. Please. Promise me that this stays between us.”
“You can trust us,” Hadley said firmly.
“Not even to the guys,” I said firmly, looking around.
Sheridan held out her pinkie. “Pinkie swear, ladies. Then we get the deets.”
All five of us awkwardly locked our pinkies together and then Hadley leaned forward. “Now. Details.”
I chuckled. “Look, honestly, the biggest reason I don’t want word to get out is that this is just casual. We’re having a good time. He’s got this situation with Joey and I’m trying to finish my PhD, so it’s been nice to have someone to talk to. For both of us.”
Lucy looked skeptical. “You realize that’s what we all say, right? It’s casual. It’s just sex. I don’t know where it’s going. Friends with benefits. Oh, it’s no big deal. Those are literally the lies we tell ourselves when we’re in denial.”
“I don’t even know if I’m staying in St. Louis,” I said slowly. “I’m assuming I’m going to get my PhD by summer, but then I have to find a postdoc job and it’s probably not going to be here. In fact, I’m thinking of interviewing at Johns Hopkins in New York City.”
They all stared at me.
“And you guys know how hockey is,” I continued. “Boone could get traded anytime. Then what would we do? How would that work? So in our case, it’s exponentially complicated by my work.”
“Love is always complicated.”
“Seriously, it’s been two dates,” I protested. “Love isn’t anywhere on our radar.”
“Famous last words,” Nina murmured.
“But the sex is good if you’re letting him leave you love bites,” Sheridan teased, her eyes gleaming.
“The sex is…really good.” We could talk about sex. Feelings were a lot messier, but sex was easy.
“Don’t dismiss a guy who rocks your world in bed,” Hadley said. “Sex isn’t everything, but it’s hard to find a guy who knows what he’s doing.”
“That’s for sure,” Nina said, nodding.
