“Fine,” I relent. “I’ll go. But only because of the special cocktails. And I’m not getting dressed up and I’m not necessarily telling you everything.”
“Wear whatever the hell you want, just be ready to go by seven.”
Jenny smiles triumphantly, and then lets me past her.
“Add getting trapped in a stall by my crazy friend to my list of fears,” I mutter as I walk by her.
“You love me!”
I’ve been grieving since Storm passed, and now I’m grieving because of Nathan. But maybe Jenny’s right. Maybe a night out will help me move on.
It turnsout that Ronda’s Rainbow Paloma Smash is an excellent way to move on. At least temporarily.
“Here you go, honey,” Ronda says, passing me a second cocktail. The brown skin around her eyes crinkles as she smiles sympathetically at me. And Ronda is not known for her smiles.
“Is it that obvious?” I ask with a wince.
“Bartenders are good at reading people,” she says. “It’s clear as day to me.”
“Great,” I mutter.
I head back to the table and sit down across from Jenny.
“Cheers,” I say, clinking my glass into hers.
I swallow a large glug of the cocktail and the high percentage of alcohol makes me choke a bit. It’s busy because of the quiz, and Ronda is playing a mix of country music and show tunes, which gives off a slightly weird vibe, but it’s what she likes to listen to.
“So now that I’ve got you good and tipsy, it’s time to dish,” Jenny tells me.
“Noooo,” I whine. “I hate opening up.”
“Too bad. Just like Winnie, I want to know about the sexy lessons he was giving you. And I won’t take no for an answer.”
I cradle my head in my hands and make an exasperated sound. “It’s not easy to explain.”
“I’ve read plenty of romance novels, so I get the basics, don’t worry.”
“Oh my God, it wasn’t like that! He wasn’t really teaching me. He just agreed to help me practice?—”
“Wait, he agreed? As inyouaskedhim? You dirty little slut, I love it!”
Ack. Jenny is clearly joking, but has no idea that’s what Nathan used to call me.
“I just wanted to know what it was like,” I explain. “To have sex be good with a man, you know? Because it never, ever was with Ralph. And I figured practicing a bit with Nathan wouldhelp me work through some of the nerves I have around men and sex and relationships.”
“Uh-huh,” Jenny says. “Makes sense.” She doesn’t sound convinced though.
“It does! It does make sense. I’m comfortable around Nathan. Or, well, Iwascomfortable around him. Having sex with him was fun, and easy. The chemistry between us was great. And he always made it good for me. Like, really, really good, Jenny.”
“Okay, Christ, I believe you. You don’t have to brag.”
“You could have any man in this town, and you know it.” It’s true. Jenny is beautiful and funny and kind. She carries herself with an easy confidence and nothing seems to shake her.
“Believe me, I’m well aware that my mother is just waiting for the day when she can tell all of her friends that I’m single and looking, so that they can tell all of their sons the same thing.”
“You’re too good for ‘em all anyways.”
“Damn straight.” Jenny finishes her beer and slams it down. “Now, tell me why the hell Nate left if you two were starting something?”
