Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
I nod.
“I know, but it was so amazing. Gray’s got one of those fancy clawfoot tubs, and he drew me a warm bath. I soaked in it while he sponged me down and then he shaved my legs. I thought we were done, but then he had me lay on a towel on his bed where he took a straight razor and very slowly, shaved me down there. It was amazing.”
My friends eyes go wide.
“Sounds dangerous and kinky too! Does this happen all the time? Do you guys do illicit things together and then have hot monkey sex?
“Yes, sort of,” I say with a small giggle. “I mean, the shaving sounds weird and yet oddly intimate right? Like it’s more than just sex? He was touching me so tenderly, and licking me while he did it, and … well, you get the picture.”
My friend is shocked.
“I think you’re definitely in lust, Harlow. But what are you going to do once your internship is over?”
I shrug, a little miserable.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I could just be a summer fling for Gray. I mean, he’s forty-five and I’m twenty-one. I’m his best friend’s kid for crying out loud! I’m so afraid, Janie, that I mean nothing to him but temporary good times.”
She nods.
“I get it, girlfriend. But what’s your plan then?”
I shake my head, despondent again.
“I don’t know,” I say in a quiet voice. Then, I perk up a little. “But I’m still sorry I didn’t call you sooner. As you can tell, this has been a busy time in my life, but I’m back now.”
She grins saucily.
“Mm-hmm. Maybe return a text the day of, rather than a week later?”
I hang my head and eat a bite of donut. “Sorry, Mom.”
“Eew, no, don’t ever call me that,” she sounds serious. “I’m nothing like your mom.”
“Just teasing. Geez.”
“I am nothing like that frigid old cow.”
I squint at her.
“You do remember you’re talking about Catherine, right?”
My friend looks innocent.
“Did I say anything that wasn’t true?”
I have to admit, “Maybe not. Except the cow part because you know she’s scrawny. She’s more like a frigid old icicle.”
She grins, “Fine. I am nothing like that frigid old icicle. And is Gray feeding you? Because you look like you’ve lost some weight.”
I laugh.
“I haven’t lost weight, I’ve gained weight because he’s definitely feeding me. If he’s not fucking me, then he’s feeding me. He likes to cook a lot, actually.”
Jane nods with approval.
“I was hoping he wasn’t trying to make you lose weight or something. What is it, like ten or fifteen pounds? More?”
“I don’t know,” I shrug. “I’ve definitely put on some heft though.”
She’s shocked.
“How do you not know? Harlow, you obsessively weigh yourself a couple times a day. Remember, your dad sent you to a therapist for it?”
I laugh.
“Honestly, I haven’t had the urge to weigh myself in months. Gray likes all my curves and it’s kind of rubbed off on me. God, I haven’t even thought about the scale in so long.”
“Damn,” Jane marvels to herself. “Gotta get me an older guy.”
We laugh and I realize how much I’ve missed my best friend.
“How are you doing, by the way? What’s life like at the country club? Your text said you’re a clerk at the golf shop and a cocktail waitress at the lounge, which doesn’t make any sense.”
Jane sighs.
“I’m doing double duty. The shop is Monday through Thursday, and the lounge is Friday and Saturday, at least until class starts.”
“That is a lot of hours, girl. Why so many?”
She throws me a look.
“Not all of us have trust funds, Harlow, and my dad lost his job. So now my summer of fun has been a summer of work. A lot of work.”
Immediately, I feel terrible.
“Sorry, honey. I feel like I haven’t been here for you. I’m so sorry,” I pat her hand and get powdered sugar on her. “God, sorry for that, too.” I wipe her with a napkin and think of when Gray wiped my shirt the first night. I get lost in the memory and find myself slowly wiping her hand. Jane looks down, and then looks up again.
“Bitch, you good?”
I snap out of it and laugh at myself. “Yeah, just distracted. How is your dad, by the way?”
She sighs.
“He’ll be fine, but I’m not going to add to his financial stress. That’s why I’m working so hard.”
I nod.
“And your mom?”
“Still at the hospital. Her job is solid because nurses are almost never fired or laid off. I’m not worried about her.”
“Good, I’m glad,” I sit back on my haunches and fix her with a look. “So, with all of that going on, are you seeing anyone?”
She laughs. “Not really. It’s been a dry summer.”
I know that tone; Jane is hiding something. I shoot her a sly look.
“But you are into someone, aren’t you?”