“Whoa!”
“I know! It's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster.”
“Sounds more like an orgasmic one to me! That's a ride I'd ride all day long!” Laughing, the couple in front of us turned and looked, turning their noses up at us. Natalie stuck her tongue out at them, and they turned around quickly.
“Anyway, does that mean you've forgiven Nicco?”
“I'm on my way there. I told him I needed to take things slow and get to know one another more before we jumped into the physical side of things. He does that part so well. I'll forget my head if I sleep with him.”
“So the wedding?”
Nodding, I looked at the donuts available as we inched by the display case. This place really was crazy busy. “Apparently, Monroe had told him I was going to the wedding that evening alone, so he crashed it. Well, I guess technically he was invited. He called and surprised my cousin with an upgrade.”
“That's generous. I think he really likes you, for whatever my opinion is worth.”
“I think so too. It's just hard to believe he won't hurt me again.”
“That's fair. So, how did the other two come into play?”
“Well, I had sex with Sax at the wedding, and then Wells invited me over to train on Sunday, and I was surprised it was at Atticus' house. Jude got to hang with Imogen, so that was nice. Honestly, it happened so fast.”
“Wow, really? I'm so happy for my man Jude getting his girl back.”
Nodding, I chuckled. “Yeah, he's been over the moon.” Blowing out a breath, I recounted all the things I'd just said in my head. “Geez, there's been so much in a short period of time. It's all kind of a blur.”
“What about the dynamic duo in the car?”
“Oh, well, Monroe and I have been talking, and then we've had dinner a few times. He was still focusing on his case, but that was resolved today. So that's what led us to the tattoo.”
“Don't think I didn't notice you failed to mention Mr. Sexy.” Raising her eyebrow exaggeratedly, I ignored her as we finally made it to the register. Ordering an assortment of donuts with a few I wanted, we stepped to the side after I paid and waited for them to be boxed up.
“So the tattoo?”
“Oh, yeah, that was from my first date with Nicco, we made a bet, and apparently I lost, though that's subjective. But now, I have to get a tattoo.”
“Girl! If I didn't have to take Lily to an appointment later, I would so come and watch this.” She practically bounced up and down in excitement.
“I don't understand what everybody is so excited about. It's watching me get poked with needles. How is that exciting?”
She rolled her eyes like I exhausted her with my naïveté but swatted me good-naturedly. “Because, Lor, it's the total opposite of you. So you already know it's going to be fabulous, and something about seeing you break free from the shackles of what is proper and whatnot is addictively fun.”
“I guess I can see how that would be something people would want to see. Like when someone discovers something for the first time, and you just know it's going to be awesome. Getting to live through their first-time experience vicariously reminds you of your own.”
“Of course you go and make it all psychological and smarty pants, but, yeah, I suppose it's exactly that.”
Laughing, I cringed a little. “Sorry, habit. I'm nervous, and I go into therapist Loren without realizing it. I've been trying to play it tough, and I mean, I am excited. I trust Nicco, but, you know, it's… permanent.”
“Nothing's ever permanent anymore. There's laser removal.” She lifted an eyebrow at me, and I had to give it to her; she had a point.
“Okay, true. I feel a little bit better now. Your turn, by the way. You don't escape the dick confessional by making me only talk about myself. How did your night go with Mr. Deep Sexy voice? Byron, wasn't it?”
“Oh, Lor, I rode that dick all night long and the next day. It was so good. I couldn't walk for a day,” Nat beamed, fanning herself. “If my mom hadn't been harassing me to come and get Lily, I would've groundhogged that cock. I wouldn't have come out until next winter.”
Laughing, I almost dropped the donuts the man handed to me as she said that. “Nat, I swear, you say the craziest stuff, but I love it. I never know what to expect. What about the other girls?” I asked as we started to make our way out the door.
“Stacy met someone, and Cami had her fun as usual. They're good.”
“I gotta hear about Stacy! I should give her a call. As a matter of fact, we should all get together this weekend. When are you free?” I always asked Nat first because I knew she had the most challenging time finding sitters she trusted for her daughter. Cami was pretty flexible with her work schedule, and Stacy, it just depended as well.