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“You’re the most loved and the most special,” Lola said. “I’m so happy we’re all here together.”

Lola was pretty sure she’d never felt so happy. Everything suddenly felt possible; she didn’t have to disappear into Aly in order to have a relationship with her. She didn’t have to abandon Ryan in the process. She could have both friendsanda love interestandher own wants and needs. Her mom was right: all she had to do was be herself.

It made the future feel exciting too, despite everything that had happened. For the first time in a long time, she was looking forward to whatever might come next.

“There are five weeks left until September,” Aly said. “Let’s make them count.”

***

When Ryan and Emmett left, after the dishes were cleaned and the food put away, Aly took Lola by the hand up to her bedroom and said, “I was wondering if you’d be interested in trying something.”

“Anything,” Lola said. She meant it; something felt different between them. Perhaps it was because Aly had seen her through this major conflict with Ryan, had been part of the milestone now labeledRyan falling in love. They weren’t just two people fucking anymore. They were two people who cared about each other, who were becoming friends with each other’s friends. Aly was starting to see the real her and, she hoped, vice versa. A new sort of trust hummed between them, and she felt eager to prove it.

“Well, don’t agree just yet,” Aly said, laughing. She looked nervous as she opened her nightstand and produced a silicone dildo attached to a leather harness.

When it came to sex, Lola liked to think she was hard to shock, but her mouth fell open. The dildo was purple and sparkly and on the small side.

“Oh,” she said. “I…”

Aly raised her eyebrows. “It’s okay,” she said. “Never mind.”

“No, no, no, wait,” Lola said, grabbing the dildo from her. “Listen, you know that I like dick. I just don’t know if I want one inside me right now. I’ve been kind of enjoying sex without it.”

Aly cocked her head to the side. “Oh, no,” she said. “I don’t want to wear it.”

Again, Lola found herself shocked. “You wantmeto wear it?”

Aly nodded.

“To fuck you?”

Aly nodded again.

“You want me…to be the top?” Lola felt proud that she knew the lingo.

“Not permanently,” Aly clarified. “But it’s fun to switch things up, no?”

Lola allowed herself to imagine it—taking control, penetrating Aly with something she’d wear. It was a surprisingly hot visual, surprising because of how submissive she tended to be and hot because, well…the idea of dominating Aly—of Alywantingto be dominated by her—was not something she had considered before.

Stepping out of her comfort zone was good, she knew. She’d been doing so much of it lately. She felt like it was making her a better person, or at least a more interesting one. Whereas the Lola of six months ago never took risks, the Lola of this summer was all about them.

She couldn’t conceal her nervousness, though. “What if I’m terrible at it?”

“You won’t be,” Aly said. “But if I don’t like what you’re doing, I promise to tell you.”

“And if you like it?”

Aly smirked. “You’ll know if I like it.”

Lola imagined Aly overcome with pleasure because of the way Lola was fucking her and felt her skin heat. A rush of anticipation flooded her body.

“Besides,” Aly said, “haven’t I proven to be a good teacher?”

“You have.”

“So?”

“Okay, Carter,” Lola laughed, getting used to the idea. “I get it. You want to ride my dick.”