Page 53

Before she even knew what was happening, Aly’s hand was down the front of the borrowed boxer briefs. “Is this okay?” Aly whispered into Lola’s ear.

Lola could only nod. She wanted Aly to touch her so badly that she didn’t trust her voice to sound normal. She had always loved morning sex, the quiet intimacy of two bodies pressed together in a cozy fog of sleepiness, none of the pretense or performativity of nighttime hookups with lingerie, dim lighting, and candles.

How lucky that Aly was a fan too.

Aly kept her mouth at Lola’s ear while she fucked her, and listening to the sound of Aly’s breath quickening was almost more than Lola could handle. It told Lola how badly Aly wanted her. It was getting hot under the blankets, and Lola kicked them off. Aly was touching her more intensely now, so attuned with Lola’s body that Lola didn’t even realize she was going to come before she did.

When she could breathe again, she rolled over so they were facing each other.

Aly’s eyelids were a little puffy, her hair a matted mess. She had pillow marks on her cheeks, a little crust around her eyes.

Lola was certain she’d never seen anyone so pretty.

“So,” Lola said, smiling. “You’re really into consent, huh?”

“What’s sexier than consent?” Aly smiled back, but then she faltered. “I mean, you get why, right?”

Lola shook her head. She thought it was just Aly’s thing.

“I’m gay. You’re not. I would be horrified if it turned out I was making you uncomfortable or pressuring you in any way.”

Lola had not considered this angle, and it gave her pause. She tried to see things from Aly’s perspective. It made sense. Aly’s desire for women was never in question. Lola was the wild card.

“Did I seem uncomfortable?”

“No,” Aly said. “But I guess I needed reassurance.”

“Did my dripping wet pussy not reassure you?”

The grin that splashed across Aly’s face was as bright as the morning sun. “Good point,” she said, clearly trying to downplay how thrilled this made her. She kissed Lola and then handed her a T-shirt. “So can I make you breakfast or what?”

***

Aly made scrambled eggs and sourdough toast while Lola, still wearing just Aly’s underwear and T-shirt, sliced strawberries. They ate quietly at the kitchen island, their feet touching lightly under their stools. Lola wondered if she should try to make conversation but didn’t feel pressed about it. There was something so nice about just sitting together. She didn’t want to ruin it with small talk.

When they finished eating, Lola tried to bring the dishes to the sink, but Aly stopped her. “Don’t you dare,” she warned, taking the plates out of her hand. Then Aly kissed her for so long, Lola wondered if they were headed back to bed. She wanted to. She had nothing else to do anyway. Maybe they could have sex again and then take a nap. She felt herself grow wet anticipating it.

But then Aly pulled away and said, “I don’t mean to kick you out, but…”

Before she could finish, Lola’s pride swept in like the tide, snuffing out that early spark of interest growing in her belly. “No worries!” she chirped in her friendliest voice, masking the hurt, even though she knew it was silly. “Thanks for a super-fun night.”

“Lola,” Aly groaned, laughing. “A super-fun night?I just have a deadline this morning is all.The Cutwants a story on the Goop launch, and it needs to run this afternoon.”

Chagrin swept through Lola, the explanation soothing that buzzy voice of anxiety in her head. It was as if Aly didn’t want to play any games, wasn’t into the whole mindfuck of the post-sexwill they, won’t they. “Okay,” she said. “In that case, I had a great time.”

“Yeah, me too.” Aly nodded, opening the door. “Like, the best time.”

They kissed in the open doorway, the warm morning breeze tickling Lola’s hair. Aly grabbed Lola’s hip, lightly smacking her ass with her other hand. Lola laughed into Aly’s mouth.

“I’ll be thinking about you all day,” Aly said.

“Good,” Lola said and forced herself to leave. Once she was in the driveway, she looked over her shoulder. Aly stood there with her arms crossed, wearing sweatpants and her sleep tank, grinning. Lola waved. Aly waved back. Lola promised herself she wouldn’t look back again until she got to her own front door.

Which was when she realized that Ryan was there, in their doorway, his mouth open and his eyes twinkling.

“Hi, Aly,” he called across the driveway.

“Hi,” Aly said with a sheepish grin, closing her door. They hadn’t been officially introduced, but Lola knew they’d seen each other across the hedges.