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“What thing?”
“That overthinking everything until you spiral thing.” She slides closer, her shoulder bumping mine. “Spill.”
“Nothing to spill.” I take a sip of my club soda. “Just tired.”
“Bullshit.” Serena leans forward, her dark eyes sharp despite the alcohol. “You’ve been quiet all night.”
My stomach clenches. “I’m always quiet.”
“Not that much.” Blake’s hand finds mine under the table, squeezing gently. “You know we’re here if you need to talk.”
“Or if you need to get laid,” Serena adds with a wink. “I know this guy?—”
“No.” Blake and I say it in unison.
“You two are no fun.” Serena pouts, but there’s concern behind her perfect makeup.
“Let me guess.” Blake taps her chin. “Tall, blue eyes, and douchey?”
“He’s not a douche,” I say.
“Defensive.” Serena grins. “Definitely the Milton boy. Did you fuck him yet? He’s gonna leave you if you don’t.”
Is he? Is that why?—
“Not helping, S.” Blake turns back to me. “I thought you two were on the outs. What happened?”
How do I even begin to explain what’s happening between me and Brandon? The late night conversations, him opening up about his mother, the way he makes me feel like maybe, just maybe, I’m not as broken as I thought. I fidget with my drink, the condensation cool against my palm. “We… talked.”
“Talked?” Serena snorts.
“And now we text.” Heat crawls over my neck. I can still feel the ghost of his touch on my skin, the rasp of his stubble against my thighs. I’m glad his beard is back.
Blake’s eyes narrow. “Wait. Did you two…?”
“No!” But it comes out too quick, too sharp. “I mean, not really.”
“Not really?” Serena leans forward, all eager curiosity. “Details, babe. We need details.”
I take a long sip of my drink, buying time. “We just… He…” Fuck. Why is this so hard? “He went down on me, okay?”
Silence. Then, chaos.
“Holy shit.” Blake’s jaw drops. “Brandon Milton ate you out?”
“In a bathroom at my mother’s house.” The words tumble out in a rush, as though speed might make them less real.
Serena’s cackling, head thrown back. “That is the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”
“It wasn’t romantic. It was… I don’t know what it was.” I bury my face in my hands, mortification warring with a perverse sense of pride. “God, I don’t know why I did it. It just… happened.”
“Well, well.” A slow grin spreads across Blake’s face. “Look who finally got some action.”
My cheeks flush. “It’s not like that.”
“Then what is it like?” Serena asks.
I shrug. “I don’t know. It’s just… different with him.”