“You have to tell him how you feel,” Grace pleads with me.
“Did you not hear my confession? It won’t change anything.”
“He needs a push. He’s crazy about you.”
I decide this has gone on long enough. It’s time for me to snap back to myself.
“Of course, he’s crazy about me. I’m a kick-ass chick who’s a blast to be around. I’m a fucking catch. Not to mention, he’ll never find another woman who loves giving blow jobs as much as me.”
Grace sucks in a deep breath, her eyes going wide as Bizzy giggles.
“Don’t look shocked, Peach Princess. I know you’re not a virgin.”
She places her hand on her lower belly and laughs.
“That’s better. And, word of caution, let’s never mention the whole crying jag again. It’s you two who are the weepy wimpsters.”
“Your secret is safe with us.” Bizzy squeezes my hand. “You’re always safe with us.”
I reach for the bottle of wine and top off our glasses. “I’m counting on it.”
“Hey.”
“Jesus, Claire, where are you?” Mathis barks through the phone.
“At one of my parents’ condos.”
“Which one?”
“One you have never been to. It’s on the other side of town.”
“What’s the address? I’ll come to you.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” I curl into the sofa, covering myself with a blanket.
“Claire, you’ve been avoiding me for three days. We need to talk.”
“We are talking.”
“This isn’t exactly what I had in mind. I mean face to face where I can actually touch you.”
My heart lunges; the thought of his touch sends a shiver down my spine. I miss the way my skin tingled every ti
me he was near. Less than sixty-seconds on the phone and I’m ready to give in.
Buck up, Claire!
“Mathis, I think we both know what will happen if you come over. We won’t talk and, instead, will end up having sex. You’ll think everything is okay when it isn’t.”
“Is having sex bad?”
“No, but it’s not going to solve what’s wrong.”
“Do you mind explaining to me what is wrong? You left me without much to go on.”
“It’s not working.” The words scorch my tongue saying them out loud.
“What’s not working?”