Page 11 of Power Move

“Sorry,” I blushed.

She stammered, flirtatious grin gone, “No, you’re like a God. You must spend forever at the gym. I’m a mess. I should go.”

She rushed to her pile of clothes and pulled on her underwear and bra.

“You really don’t have to rush. I have a late check out.”

“No, it’s okay. I am sure?—”

“I really feel bad, Eva, I don’t want this to end all fucked up.”

“No, it’s not that. You have—in many ways—reminded me notallmen are dicks. So, well done. No, it’s that… you look likeyou. I look likeme. And now that we’re in beautiful daylight, I realize you must have had second thoughts.”

Her words surprised me. This wasn’t about the broken condom. This was her concern about herbody? Why?

“No, I didn’t. You’re beautiful.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Eva, you’re gorgeous. What are you worried about? I couldn’t help myself last night.”

“Uh-huh.” She repeated, pulling her dress over her head and zipping it with finality.

“I mean it. I don’t chase women. I don’t know if you know who I am, but?—”

“Yes, I’m a pity fuck who should be lucky enough to have your million-dollar dick inside me, right?”

That annoyed me. “Eva, I am pouring my heart out. I was going to ask to see you again. I like your personality. Your body is just a nice bonus.”

“Yeah, I’m sure I’m your type.”

“You are, actually,” I said, annoyed.

She grabbed the pill box, shoved it in her purse and took adeep breath. “Thank you for this. It really was sweet. I had fun. Don’t call me. Don’t eventryto call me. This would never work.”

Then, she left.

What the fuck just happened?

Eva

Flight was my usual conflict response. When Davey surprisingly got me Plan B, I wasn’t prepared to respond. Everything with people in my life seemed transactional. Mona and I ended our relationship fighting about who got the fucking dog—spoiler alert, her. She claimed that she’d done all she could to support my “fertility journey” even though we entered it together.

Of course, Davey pulled the “I don’t chase women” card. It wassotypical. Rich, cis-het white man sleeps with girl nowhere near hot enough for him on paper. I knew my worth. I knew I was a good lay and my body didn't quit, but men like him didn’t pursue girls like me for anything other than a good time. He’d never bring me home to his stuck-up parents.

I swallowed the pill in the bathroom after returning to my room. Everyone was asleep. Before he could text, I blocked Davey’s number. There was no need to hear anger about my ungratefulness.

I suffered through brunch, mainly sticking by Jace and ignoring the other bridesmaids. I didn’t get a chance to speak to Ellie until we were on the train headed home.

“What happened with the guy?” Ellie asked. “You said nothing. Was it that bad? He seemed nice.”

“He was nice,” I said. “But you know that would never work.”

“Uh, why?”

“Well, because I’m me and he’s him. It was a nice fever dream while it lasted. That’s all it was.”

“What? He wasintoyou. Did he do something weird?”