Page 42 of My Masked Shadow

Basia snorts. “Caleb tried to follow me. I escaped by threatening to set off the fire alarm.”

I bug my eyes out. “You did not.”

“I did. He looked so betrayed.” She sighs, looking a bit guilty. “I’ll text him later. Maybe.”

We walk a few more steps before she glances sideways. “Your turn. You’re giving off… ‘post-traumatic slutty’ energy.”

I choke. “Excuse me?”

“You know what I mean.” She waves a hand. “Something happened. Big eyes. Weird posture. You’re walking like you rode a horse yesterday.”

Kill me. Kill me now.

I tug my scarf up to hide my face. “I’m not discussing this in public.”

Basia scoffs. “We’re in the middle of Central Park. No one cares.”

A corgi wearing boots trots by. He cares. He definitely cares.

My newest friend bumps her shoulder into mine. “Come on. Spill it. I know that look. It’s the ‘Emily, I made a questionable decision’ look.”

“Well, Emily’s on her honeymoon,” I sigh dramatically. “And you know Morgan’s busy as heck. So you’re all I’ve got.”

“I feel honored,” Basia says deadpan. “Now talk.”

I inhale deeply. Exhale shakily.

“Okay,” I start. “So… last night… Ethan and I…”

Basia raises an eyebrow. “Already off to a concerning start.”

I ignore her. “We had sex.”

She blinks. “I assumed that part. You look like you’re in physical recovery.”

“Basia!” I hiss.

“What? I’m being supportive!”

I groan. Why did I come here? Why do I have friends?

I run my hands over my face. “It wasn’t just sex. It was—oh my God, I cannot believe I’m about to say this out loud—it was a simulation.”

She stops walking. “Like… a sex simulation?”

“Not initially! It was a horror sim.”

Basia blinks at me. “…a horror sex simulation?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Let me explain before this becomes a kink meme.”

She laughs, and we resume walking. Slowly. People with walkers are passing us. I can’t help it if my coochie was demolished.

“So,” I begin, “you know how Ethan is… Ethan.”

“Nerdy. Smug. The emotional maturity of a golden retriever hopped up on espresso.”

“Yes, exactly. That. Well…” I lower my voice. “I told him about one of my fantasies.”