Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
My eyes go wide. “What?”
My friend breaks out in laughter as she rushes to explain. “A four-way text. A text. Just texting with my guys. All three of them.”
I exaggerate my surprised expression, wanting to tease her. Something tells me they weren’t texting about someone needing to pick up milk on their way home.
I bend and give her a hug. “How are they all doing?”
“They’re good.” The dreamy way she answers makes me smile again. “Excuse me for just a minute. I’ll tell them you’ve arrived.”
I take a seat across from her as she taps at her phone before tucking it away. Though she’s here with me, her eyes tell me that a little piece of her is still with her men, and I completely understand that now. No matter where I am, Erik, Brax, and Gray are always, at the very least, in the back of my mind, and more often than not, they’re right at the forefront of my thoughts.
They’re especially on my mind right now, because there’s so much I need to tell Lexy and Ember—who’s apparently just come in the door, since Lexy is waving at someone behind me.
After more hugs all around, the three of us get settled, order our drinks, and look over our menus. Lexy’s on her lunch break, and our time is limited. Once we’ve placed our orders, I take a deep breath.
“I need to talk to both of you.”
“So you said. What’s going on?” Lexy turns her full attention my way.
“So much. I don’t even know where to start.”
“It’s about Brax, isn’t it?” Ember gives me a self-satisfied grin. “The man hasn’t been the same since you finally started dating.”
Her comment distracts me, and I can’t let it pass. “What do you mean? How is he different?”
She laughs, her expression telling me that she’s thinking about what she’s seen. “Let’s just say that from the look on his face lately, I wouldn’t be surprised if I found him doodling hearts and flowers in his notebooks.”
The idea makes me blush, and I take a sip of my water to give myself a moment to savor the thought of tough guy Brax crushing on me like that. He makes me feel the same way.
“How was your date with him?” Lexy asks. “I’m still mad that you didn’t give me a full report.”
“You want me to call and interrupt your four-ways?”
Lexy shoots me a playful glare, as I quickly catch Ember up on our little joke.
“Our date was good,” I say finally.
“I hear a but coming.” Ember circles her straw in her drink.
There’s so much I need to tell them, and I regret not being open with them about one relevant bit of information sooner.
“You know I go to church every Sunday and that my family’s very involved there.” They both nod. “What I may not have mentioned is that the church holds very strict doctrines. There are rules about clothing and nearly all aspects of behavior.”
“Okay.” Lexy draws out the word, encouraging me to continue.
“As a result of how I was raised in the church, I don’t have much experience dating.”
“Really?” Lexy’s surprise pleases me. I’m glad my lack of knowledge hasn’t been apparent to her.
“I have very, very little experience. Virtually none.”
They’re both nodding, until Ember’s eyes flare. “Are you saying you …”
“I’ve never had sex.”
“Oh. Oh!” Lexy’s eyes are wide now, too, and then she ducks her head, briefly covering her eyes with her hand. “The things I’ve talked to you about! I had no idea.”
I take another drink of water. “Once you reach a certain age, it’s a hard thing to admit, even to good friends. And luckily, I’ve read a lot of romance books, so I wasn’t completely clueless, but I have no practical knowledge.”
Ember, who’s sitting next to me, touches my arm. “It’s definitely not something to be embarrassed about, Ava.”
I shrug. “It’s hard not to be, and it makes dating more complicated.”
Lexy frowns. “I’m certain Brax will be patient with you, if you tell him you want to go slow.”
I nod. “I told him, and I know he will, but there are still issues.”
The waitress comes by to drop off silverware, napkins, and little containers of ketchup. Once she’s gone, I start to fill them in on my date with Brax at the park, my fear of being spotted by church members, and why it’s an issue for me.
I have so much to tell them that it’s hard for me to eat when our burgers and fries are delivered, and I only manage a few bites during brief conversation breaks.
The two of them are more than halfway finished with their meals when I say, “On top of being a virgin, and fighting my ingrained beliefs that dating someone outside the church is wrong, there’s more. Brax isn’t the only man I’m dating.”