Swinging for the Fences

Chapter 30

Christy left the house early on Tuesday and went to work in the studio. I still had my own classes, but I stopped by to check on her. She and Nikki were absorbed in their work, although Lily greeted me with a friendly hug. She wore a tight scoop-neck shirt that showed off her deep cleavage, and she lingered after the hug in case I wanted a better look.

“I had fun this weekend,” she said, low enough that only I could hear.

“Yeah, me too.”

“We should do it again sometime.”

“Mmm,” I answered vaguely.

“I’m not doing anything tonight.”

My eyebrows went up.

She misread my surprise and thought it was interest. “We can have a party or something.”

“Maybe,” I agreed noncommittally. “Christy still has a lot of work.”

“What about you? You finished your project, right?”

I didn’t need to be quick on the uptake to recognize an invitation when I heard it. The little head was interested, but the big head overruled him.

I feigned regret and said, “Yeah, but I’ll probably be here. Sorry.”

“Oh. Okay.”

I looked at my watch and then dug in my backpack. “Will you give her these? The sandwich and veggies first,” I told her. “The granola bar if she’s still hungry. The apple if she takes a break and can wash her hands.”

“Wow. I never realized how much work it is.”

“She has to finish by tomorrow,” I said.

“No, I mean taking care of her. It’s a lot of work.”

I reminded myself that Lily was self-centered, not selfish. She was more than willing to hang out, help out, and provide moral support, but she thought of herself first. It was annoying but hardly a reason to avoid her.

“Yeah, it is,” I said neutrally. “Anyway, I’d better go.”

“Are you coming back?”

“After class. Why?”

“No reason,” she said. “I’ll probably head back to my dorm. I mean, after lunch. Will you be here tomorrow?”

“Probably.”

“I dunno if I will. I should go to class. It’s the last day and all.”

“Right.”

“I’m definitely coming to the party on Thursday, though. Christy already gave me the invitation.”

“Sounds good.”

“So… I guess I’ll see you then?”

“Absolutely. In the meantime, I need to head to class.”

I felt guilty for blowing her off, especially so soon after we’d had sex, but I wasn’t looking for a playmate. Besides, Christy already took up most of my free time, and not because she craved attention.

Still, I felt bad for Lily. It wasn’t her fault she was self-centered, just like it wasn’t Will’s fault he was a chauvinist. They’d both been raised that way, and I couldn’t change them. Instead, I waved goodbye and tried to put her in the same category as him—not a bad person, but not likely to become a good friend either.

* * *

I returned about an hour later and ran into Nikki coming back from the restroom.

“Hey.” She fell in beside me. “You aren’t gonna believe it.”

“What?”

“Zoah’s here, and we found what he’s good at. Baking. He just showed up with all this food, all homemade. It’s vegetarian, but you’d never know. The banana bread’s the best I’ve ever had.”

Zoah himself smiled and waved as we entered the room. He’d also brought blueberry muffins, a loaf of bread, and some kind of biscuits.

“Cheddar and onion,” Nikki said before I could ask. “And they’re amazing.”

“Wow, cool.”

“That’s the good news, though.”

“Oh? What’s the bad news?”

“Siobhan stopped by. She doesn’t think we’ll be ready for the review.”

Christy joined us and wiped her hands on a rag. She kissed me first but then said to Nikki, “Did you tell him?”

“Yeah.”

“The marble’s too white,” Christy explained. “It doesn’t show any details.”

“None of the small ones,” Nikki agreed. “I wanted to stain it or something—”

Christy shook her head.

“—but they said no.”

“We need to give it a light wash first and then dry-brush it,” Christy said.

“So you’re giving it a faux patina.” I glanced at the statue they’d been working on. The wash collected in the seams and crevices, which made them easier to see from a distance. “How long will that take?”

Christy shrugged and looked at Nikki.

“We’ll sponge ’em first and let ’em dry overnight,” she said. “Then we’ll be here most of tomorrow.”

“Siobhan already rescheduled my review for after the show,” Christy added.

“All right.” I set my backpack against the wall. “What do you want me to do?”

“C’mon,” Nikki said, “I’ll show you.”

“You’re the boss.”

She tried not to grin and failed miserably. At least, I think she tried.

* * *

Christy returned to the studio early the next morning. I thought about skipping my own classes, but she told me not to.

“We’ll be doing a lot of detail work today,” she said. “Dry-brushing and art stuff.”

“‘Art stuff’? Is that a technical term?”

“As a matter of fact, it is, Mr. Smarty-pants.”

I smiled and kissed her and sent her on her way with a pat on the bottom. I dropped by at lunch, but Zoah had brought more baked goods, along with a plate of veggies and some kind of dip.

“It’s hummus,” he said.

“Whatever that is.”

“Chickpeas and olive oil.”

“It’s delicious,” Nikki said around a mouthful.

“You’d better watch out,” I teased her. “You’ll turn into a vegetarian yourself.”

“I’m’a eat a cheeseburger tonight to make up for it.”

“That’s the spirit!” I laughed.

Christy and Zoah both wrinkled their noses.

“All right, Little Bit,” I said, “you’re in good hands.”

She nodded and beamed. Then she ran over and gave me a kiss. “Thank you for taking such good care of me.”

“Not me,” I said. “It’s all Nikki and Zoah.”

She looked around and seemed to realize who was missing. “Where’s Lily?”

“Probably in class.”

“Oh. Do you think…?”

“Who knows?” I said.

Christy nodded and stretched up for another kiss. “Good luck on your presentation,” she added.

“Thanks. Joska’s already seen it, so I don’t think he’ll have too many critical things to say.”

He didn’t, and my presentation went smoothly. I returned to check on Christy afterward.

“Thank the Goddess you’re here,” Zoah said.

I chuckled. “What’s up?”

“We can’t lift them,” Christy said.

Each statue only weighed a few hundred pounds, but that was a lot for this group.

“He-Man here can’t hold up his end,” Nikki complained about Zoah. “We almost dropped one.”

“Be nice,” Christy told her. “Paul, dear, please help.” She was in Commander in Chief mode. “Zoah, you hold the dollies for us. Paul, you get one end. Nikki and I’ll get the other.”

Everyone moved into position.

“Remember,” I cautioned, “lift with your legs, not your back.” I waited for them to nod and then said, “Here we go. One, two, three, up!”

The girls strained, and I crossed mental fingers. The statue represented hundreds of hours of work and was practically irreplaceable. We shuffled sideways. Zoah was already kneeling, and he steadied the dolly.

“Ready? Use your legs,” I said. “Three, two, one, down.”

We set the thick base on the sturdy wooden frame of the dolly. It creaked but held, and we rolled it to the side of the room. We repeated the operation two more times and exchanged high-fives when all three were covered and ready.

“That was half a ton. Good job.” I glanced at my watch and added to Christy, “We’d better get going.”

She frowned.

“Dance class?” I reminded her. “And we have the team party after?”

“Oh my gosh, I completely forgot! I can’t. I still need to get the studies and maquettes ready for the show.”

“We’ll help,” Zoah said.

“Yeah, of course,” Nikki agreed.

“You go on, Paul,” Christy said.

“No, I’ll skip it.”

She shook her head. “One of us should go. Tell Terri I’m sorry I missed it.”

* * *

Dance class was the last class of the quarter for most of us and the last class forever for some. Wren and Trip skipped it. Only a handful of others showed up, and Terri dismissed them after an extra-credit quiz with a single question, “What’s your favorite dance?”

She collected the papers, told us what to expect on the final exam, and then talked to a couple of students who lingered. They eventually left, and she slid into the desk next to mine.

“What about you?” she said. “What’s your favorite?”

“Anything with you.”

“Did you really write that?”

“I thought about it,” I admitted. “But I put the tango instead. In case anyone saw.”

“Thank you.” She sighed and rested her head on her hand. “Sometimes I think everyone can see how I feel.”

“They can’t. But I can. I… feel the same.”

“For all the good it does.” She sat up and tried to adjust her attitude. “Where’s Christy? Is she all right?”

“Yeah. Working on her project. Getting ready for the party tomorrow.”

“Oh, that’s right! Do you still want me to come?”

“Do you want to?”

“If you want me to.”

“I’d like to see you.”

“Waiting in the wings?” she said, wry and a little bitter. “In case the principal gets hurt? Sorry, that wasn’t fair.”

“You know it’s more complicated than that.”

“Not really.” She changed the subject, “What should I wear? Is it formal? Black tie?”

“Not black tie, but formal.”

“Evening dress?”

I nodded.

“I have the perfect one. You can see what you’re missing.”

I considered her for a moment. “Is there a reason you’re flirting with me? I thought…”

“No, we aren’t going to do anything. You’re still my student. And about to leave for the summer. But… who knows.” She left the rest up to my imagination. “Come on,” she said after a moment, “let’s move the desks. We have a half-hour before people start showing up.”

“A lot can happen in thirty minutes.”

“Only thirty minutes?” she laughed. “You’re supposed to rock my world.”

I blinked in surprise.

“Besides,” she continued, “I’m talking about dancing. The tango, your favorite.”

“Foreplay, you mean?”

“Only if it leads to something.”

“Which it won’t?”

She laughed. “You’re good, but not that good.”

* * *

The Art Department’s Spring Gala and Exhibition was more or less a repeat of the fall show. The best young artists exhibited their work for the University’s bigwigs, trustees, and a select group of professors and fellow students.

Unlike the fall show, this one was invitation-only, so they were free to serve alcohol in the open. Waiters roamed the atrium with trays of champagne and canapés. They even had a full bar, all on the University’s tab. I flirted with the idea of ordering a Big Orange Screw but decided to keep my frustration to myself. I had better things to do with my time and energy.

Case in point, Christy, who looked stunning in a floor-length pink silk Valentino evening dress. I hadn’t seen it before and didn’t even want to guess at how much it had cost. Her parents could afford it, but I wondered if I could. Worse, I didn’t have grounds to complain. My own outfit, a dark blue double-breasted Hugo Boss, had cost a small fortune.

Trip and Wren arrived a few minutes before the gala officially started. They looked nice in a suit and evening dress, but their faces showed exhaustion more than excitement. The past month had taken its toll.

Nikki appeared in a man’s three-piece suit and with her hair shellacked into a spiky mohawk. She arched a pierced eyebrow and dared me to object, but she looked good. She was actually quite pretty, in a “touch me and die” sort of way.

“The patriarchy approves,” I said.

“The patriarchy can get bent.”

“You think that’d help?” I asked wryly.

“Couldn’t hurt.”

“You might be right.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m’a go find a drink. You want anything?”

“No, thanks. I’m good.”

Lily brought a date, which wasn’t entirely a surprise. He was her age and slightly uncomfortable in a double knit polyester suit, although he seemed like a nice enough guy. Lily herself wore a green satin prom dress. She and her date didn’t seem out of place, but they couldn’t match the sophistication of the older crowd.

Speaking of which…

Terri entered through the campus-side doors. She wore a black halter dress with a thigh-high slit and a plunging neckline. It was simple and elegant, and it hugged her petite curves. It also showed off her chest, which turned heads immediately. She ignored them and scanned the room until she spotted us, although her expression froze when she saw that we were talking to Lily.

“…wait till you see what she made,” she was saying to her date.

“Well,” Christy said smoothly, “we won’t unveil them until later. But I can show you around.” She touched my arm and nodded toward Terri. “Paul, dear, will you…?”

“Of course.”

They moved off, and I headed toward Terri. Her eyes tracked Lily for a moment before they slid to me. The warmth returned to her expression, and she smiled for real.

“You look nice,” I said.

Her dark eyes glittered playfully. “Only ‘nice’?”

“Okay, how about awesome? Beautiful? Gorgeous? Spectacular? Stop me when you hear something you like.” I paused to give her a chance to answer, but she merely grinned.

“I like them all,” she said at last. “Keep going.”

I smiled and bent to kiss her hand. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you. And you look very handsome.” She moistened her lips, ran her eyes down my pink tie, and then smirked. “It reminds me of something.”

My eyebrows nearly hit the roof, forty feet above.

She laughed. “Sorry, I shouldn’t say things like that.”

“Not unless you plan to do something about it.”

“We can’t,” she said.

“Well, not now.”

“Who knows,” she said enigmatically.

“Let me get you a drink.” I flagged down a passing waiter and lifted a glass from his tray. I thanked him, and he moved on.

Terri accepted the champagne but frowned. “I thought it’s a dry campus.”

“The normal rules don’t apply to VIPs.”

“You and me?”

“Ha! No, those guys.” I nodded discreetly.

“I don’t recognize them.”

“Jack Reese, the Chancellor of the University, and a guy named Haslam, a local businessman who’s on the Board of Trustees. And you see that guy? The Dean of Admissions. The one over there is the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. He’s talking to Siobhan O’Riordan, Christy’s professor, and a guy from the National Endowment for the Arts.”

“Oh, wow.”

“Yeah. Lots of other VIPs too.” I raised my glass in a derisive toast. “Here’s to the rules, may they only apply to little people.”

“Don’t we deserve it?” Terri said.

“Of course,” I lied. And Marie Antoinette probably said the same thing.

Terri shrugged and sipped her drink. “Will you give me a tour?”

“Sure. Let’s start with the painters…”

* * *

The evening passed in a blur of conversation and celebration. Christy was the star of the show, especially after she unveiled the Venus of Kanagawa pieces. The talk around her buzzed with awe and excitement.

Even I felt a sense of wonder at seeing the sculptures in all their glory. She’d imbued them with grace and dignity, but also a sense of humanity that transcended the cold stone. The man from the NEA showered her with compliments. Then he spoke with Siobhan and the Dean. He showered them with promises.

(In hindsight, that was probably the first time I fully understood how money pervaded everything at the University. Christy wasn’t doing art for art’s sake. She was an asset for Siobhan and the Dean to exploit, for fundraising and publicity. Everyone did it, but the knowledge came with a certain disillusionment. Worse, I couldn’t condemn them for it, since architecture was the same. Beautiful buildings cost a lot of money. Even ugly ones did. Finding that money was a constant struggle. But I digress.)

Trip found me after the hubbub around Christy had died down.

“I think Wren and I are gonna call it a night,” he said.

“Ah, now I understand why you drove separate.”

“Yeah, sorry. We’re totally beat. Besides, she has an exam in the morning.”

“I understand.”

“What about y’all?”

“Christy’s done. Everyone on her review panel is here, so tomorrow’s a formality. I don’t have anything until my first exam, tomorrow afternoon.”

“Sometimes I wonder,” he mused, “if this is what we’re supposed to do for the rest of our lives. Not the parties, but the work.”

“I wonder the same thing.”

We watched Christy and Wren in contemplative silence. They were talking by the Venuses, while Terri listened politely.

Trip shot me a grin. “You gonna bring her home?”

“Who, Terri? Ha! I wish. She isn’t interested. Not—”

“The hell she isn’t. She hasn’t stopped looking at you all night. Wren pointed it out, and I’ve been watching her ever since.”

Terri must have sensed us talking about her. She looked our way and smiled when she caught my eye.

“See?” Trip said.

“Yeah, I know. But she isn’t into girls at all.”

“Oh. That sucks.” He frowned. “She doesn’t wanna give it a try?”

“You wanna give guys a try?”

“God, no! Dealbreaker, remember?”

“Mmm.”

“Whatever.” He checked his watch. “What’re you doing tomorrow evening?”

“Studying, but not much else. Why?”

“We need to talk about schedules.”

“Oh? What’s up?”

“The girls’re planning a surprise party for your birthday. I’m not supposed to tell you, but…” He shrugged. “The reason I mention it is that Wren’ll probably want a private party afterward. I hate it when she springs that crap on me, so I figured I’d give you a heads-up.”

“Thanks.”

“Also, I wanna talk to you about the thing I mentioned, her job after the summer.”

The girls were still deep in conversation, so he decided to go into detail.

“Don’t say anything to Wren,” he cautioned. “This is still in the planning stages. But I talked to her father. I want him to open a restaurant in Knoxville. She can run it.”

My eyebrows rose with a question.

“Yeah. Back in January, we talked to the chef at that steakhouse I like. You know the one. Anyway, he mentioned this idea for a new kind of restaurant. Fusion something. I dunno, but Wren said it sounds cool. She didn’t say anything else, so I let it drop. But I’ve had the idea for a while. I want to get her father and this guy together. Friday night at the big graduation dinner.”

“You’ve put some thought into this,” I said.

“It’s what I do.”

“What do you need from me?”

“Nothing yet. But I want you to design the restaurant if we move forward.”

“Can do.”

“Last but not least, we need to talk about the camp renovation.”

“What about it?”

“When’re you heading to San Diego?”

I frowned at the non sequitur but told him, “Saturday, the sixteenth. We’ll drive from camp to Charlotte and fly from there.”

“Have you already bought the tickets?”

“Yeah, but I can change them. Why?”

“Well, I was thinking… we all need a vacation. A real one,” he added, “not camp. So, why don’t you and Christy go to San Diego a little early? Visit her family. Or go to Atlanta and see yours. Whatever.”

“While you and Wren go on vacation? Sure, sounds—”

“Not quite,” he interrupted. “I have to be in camp by Monday, the eleventh. I’m meeting contractors. But you don’t have to be there. Neither does Wren, really. So I think I’ll take her to Atlanta after graduation. I can leave for camp from there.”

“That doesn’t sound like much of a vacation. For you, I mean.”

“Well, I’m planning to come back and pick her up after I finish my meetings. Gonna take her to the condo in Florida. It’s a surprise. She loves the beach, and I know she’ll relax. And no offense, but I don’t want any distractions while we’re there.”

I sensed more, so I raised an eyebrow.

“I’ll tell you, but you have to swear to keep it secret. You can’t tell anyone, especially Christy.” He looked around and then leaned close. “I bought a ring.”

My eyebrows shot into low Earth orbit that time. They might’ve made it to geosynchronous, but Trip hustled me behind a column.

“Dude! You want the girls to see? They’ll know something’s up for sure.”

“Warn me next time!”

“I did,” he chuckled. “I didn’t expect you to go all Dee Snider on me.”

“I didn’t go Dee Snider,” I grumbled. “I was just surprised. I didn’t think you were that serious.”

“Did ya think I was playing around? Dude, she’s the best thing that ever happened to me. You know that. Hell, you’ve said that, on more than one occasion.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t think you were ready to pop the question.”

“Are you kidding? After the year she’s had? She needs it now more than ever. I need it, for that matter. You know how I am. I like to have things planned in advance.”

“You can say that again.”

He shrugged. “It’s what I do.”

“Yeah, it is. So, you want to do it in Florida?”

“Uh-huh, which is why I don’t want you or anyone else there. No offense,” he repeated.

“None taken. Still, this is a big step. Are you sure you’re ready for it?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be. What do you always say? Something ‘fair lady’?”

“Faint heart never won fair lady.”

“And Wren’s the fairest of the fair.”

“She is,” I agreed. “And you’re going to make her very happy.”

“That’s the plan. Uh-oh, here she comes. Can you get it together?”

“Of course.”

“And remember what I said, you can’t tell anyone. Including Christy.”

“Got it. Mum’s the word.”

He drew me from behind the column and pasted on a smile. I did the same, and Wren didn’t suspect a thing.

“You ready to go?” he said.

“I think so. Take me home and put me to bed.” She yawned and then offered a tired smile as farewell.

Christy slid her arm around my waist. I put mine around her, and we said goodnight to the other couple.

“Are you having a good time?” she asked when they’d gone.

“Mmm hmm. You?”

“The best!” She beamed. “Everyone loves my pieces. Siobhan says the NEA’s going to give her a big grant, too. And I’m pleasingly drunk. Well, not drunk-drunk, but you know what I mean.”

“Mmm.”

“And I haven’t called you my future husband once.”

I chuckled. “It’s probably okay if you do.”

“Uh-uh, no, sir,” she said seriously. “I learned that lesson the first time. Speaking of which,” she added, “we should offer Terri a ride home, but I needed to ask you first.”

“Sure, no problem.”

We fell silent and looked into the well of the atrium, to where Terri was talking to a middle-aged man with a luxuriant head of hair that probably hadn’t changed since Ford was President. I could tell by her body language that he didn’t have a chance with her, but he thought he did.

“They’ve been doing that all night,” Christy said. “Guys, I mean. Hitting on her.” She shrugged. “I can’t say I blame them. She’s so exotic. And beautiful. Especially in that dress. I wish I looked more like her.”

“I’m glad you don’t,” I said. “First, you’re beautiful too. In your own dress, out of it, and everything in between. Second, I like you just the way you are.”

“You don’t think I’m too scrawny? What’s so funny?”

“I just thought of something.”

“What?”

“A new name for Mr. Big. ‘Confidence.’ As in, I’ll fill you with Confidence.”

“Oh my gosh, yes, please. But later! Right now we need to rescue Terri.” Her eyes widened with a sudden idea. “Lily left a while ago, but…”

“Uh-oh,” I said. “I know that look.”

“What look?”

“The one where you want me to do something impossible.”

“It isn’t impossible. Besides, it’s something you want to do anyway.” She made a show of looking around, like the tipsy little conspirator she was. “Seduce Terri,” she said in a low voice. “Slip her some Confidence and turn her bi or something.”

“Ha! I wish! But it doesn’t work like that.”

“Why not?” she grumped.

“Because. It doesn’t.”

“So? You can do anything! You turned me into a nudist. Then you turned me into a nympho—”

“You were a nympho before.”

“Stop interrupting. You totally turned me into a nympho. Now you’re going to turn me into a swinger. The least you can do is turn Terri bi for me. Oh, Paul, you have no idea how much I want her right now.”

“Oh, I have an idea,” I said.

“Why can’t you…?” She made a vague gesture. “Use your magic penis.”

“That only works on you.”

“You can say that again. But… you won’t even try? Please? I’ll make it worth your while.”

“No, sorry.”

“Not even a little? Give her the tip or something?”

I snorted a laugh. “I’ll give it to you, though. And more than just the tip.”

She closed her eyes and smiled beatifically.

“Later,” I promised. “For now, let’s rescue Terri. And then you need to circulate. Siobhan’s probably wondering where you went.”

“Yes, sir,” she said.

“Cheer up. The night’s young, the bar’s open, and you’re the star of the show.”

* * *

The party wound down a couple of hours later. The bartenders announced last call, and the catering staff began packing up. Most of the bigwigs had left already, and only the younger crowd remained, although a diehard group of administration types were doing their best to drink their retirement.

On that count, I wasn’t sure how much Christy had drunk, but she was in a mellow and flirty mood. Much to my surprise, Terri was the same. She’d only been drinking champagne, but she didn’t have a high tolerance or metabolism.

She wasn’t drunk, exactly, but she’d been dropping hints and giving me suggestive looks for the past hour. Christy noticed but didn’t say anything. Her radar must have been working, because she didn’t have any illusions about a threesome either.

“Are we ready to go?” I said.

Christy sighed. “I suppose.”

“We prolly should,” Terri agreed.

I ushered them toward the doors, and Terri rubbed her bare arms in the cool night air.

“Why don’t you let her have your jacket,” Christy said.

“One step ahead of you.”

“I’m fine,” Terri protested.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I held it for her, and she slid her arms into the sleeves and pulled it around her slender frame. I did my best not to look down her cleavage, but my best wasn’t good enough. She smiled when she glanced up and saw the direction of my gaze.

“Thank you,” she said. “For the jacket.”

“My pleasure.”

Her dark eyes widened with a question about the rest, but I let it pass without comment. She and Christy started chatting as we walked to the parking lot, and Christy laughed about all the men who’d been hitting on her.

“Yeah,” Terri said, “but they were all married.”

“And old.” Christy shuddered theatrically. “Gross.”

“I don’t really care about age,” Terri said, “although I prefer someone younger.”

I knew exactly who she was talking about, and so did Mr. Confidence, who was a little too full of himself at the moment.

“Why aren’t you dating anyone?” Christy asked.

“No time,” Terri said. “I’m always teaching or dancing or working on my dissertation. Besides,” she added with a shrug, “I haven’t found a guy who’ll put up with me. Most of ’em want a nice little housewife.”

“Paul doesn’t,” Christy hinted.

“Yeah, but he’s taken.”

“I don’t mind sharing. I thought I told you.”

“You mentioned it,” Terri said vaguely, “but I didn’t think you were serious.”

We reached the Cruiser, and I fished in my pocket for the keys. I unlocked the passenger door and swallowed a laugh at Terri’s expression.

“I forgot,” she said. “I dunno if I can climb in. Not with this dress and heels.”

“Or modesty,” I added. “I’ll give you a hand.”

“Do you mind?”

“Not at all. But let me do Christy first.”

“Mmm, do me,” Christy teased. Then she turned mischievous. “Terri, too. Do us both.”

“Be nice,” I told her. “Terri isn’t interested.”

Terri’s expression said otherwise.

“Of course she is,” Christy said.

I ignored the bait and said, “Come on, Little Bit, up you go.”

“You aren’t going to do me?”

I gestured impatiently.

“Yes, sir.”

I lifted her onto the seat. She swung her legs in, but not before she gave me an insistent look.

Yeah, I get it, I told her with a look of my own. Relax.

She nodded reluctantly and scooted toward the middle.

“Next.” I gestured for Terri but then stopped. “What’re you doing?”

“I don’t want to wrinkle your jacket.”

“Don’t worry about it.” I brushed her hands away and pulled it around her again.

Our eyes met, and she moistened her lips. I resisted the urge to kiss her and put my hands on her waist instead. Her eyes never left mine as I picked her up and set her on the seat. Then her dress fell open from the thigh down. She gave me a moment before she gathered the fabric and swung her feet inside.

She and Christy made small talk during the short drive, mostly about the party. And when I pulled into the apartment parking lot, Christy touched my arm.

“Will you walk her up, dear?”

Some peevish part of me thought she was trying to get me in trouble, but I knew better. She was just being polite, and I’d have done it even if she hadn’t asked.

“Of course. Gimme a sec,” I added to Terri, “I’ll come get you.”

“Thank you. And thanks for inviting me,” she said to Christy. “Your art is amazing. So lifelike and beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

I hopped out and gave them time to finish their goodbyes. Then I opened the passenger door and helped Terri out. Christy waved and said goodnight again.

I followed Terri up the flight of stairs and waited as she retrieved her key from her small purse. She unlocked the door and pulled me inside after her.

“What—?”

“Your jacket,” she said. “I almost forgot.”

She set her purse on the small kitchen table. She held my eyes and deliberately dropped the jacket to the floor.

Our lips met in a kiss that had been building all night, and our breathing turned heavy. After a moment she drew my hand to her breast. I squeezed gently and felt her nipple through the thin fabric.

She kissed me with renewed urgency. Then she moaned and pulled her dress aside to expose her breast. She pressed my hand to it. Her skin was warm and soft, her flesh firm. Her nipple stiffened under my palm, and she moaned as I squeezed it.

“No, don’t,” she panted. “We can’t. I don’t know what I was thinking.” She pulled my hand from her breast, although she didn’t cover it.

“Let me tell Christy,” I begged.

“No.”

“You don’t have to do anything with her.”

She shook her head. “I’m not like that.”

“She likes to watch.”

“I know. She told me. She told me about this too.” She caressed my hard-on through my trousers. “I wish we could. I really want to. But…”

“Seriously,” I said. “Let me tell her.”

She ignored me and continued rubbing my shaft. “Will you think of me? While you’re gone?”

“Of course. But—”

“I wish we had more time.”

“We have all the time in the world, if only—”

“No. But… I want you to know.” She gazed up at me and squeezed my dick for emphasis. “I know what you like. I like doing it. It makes me wet. And… I don’t have a gag reflex.”

I stared.

“I can take it all the way. Down my throat. Think about it, while you’re gone. And when you come back… who knows?” She broke off and glanced at the door. “But now you’d better go. I don’t want you to, but…”

“Let Christy join us,” I pleaded. “She won’t touch you, I swear.”

“No. I don’t want an audience. Only you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m sorry.” She looked at the open door again. “You’d better go.” She kissed me, lingering and full of heat, before she slipped from my arms.

My eyes immediately went to her exposed breast. It was round and full, with a small, tan nipple. She touched the other one and pulled the dress aside. Her bare breasts rose and fell with her breathing for a dozen heartbeats.

She eventually slid the halter back into place and covered herself. Then she bent and retrieved my jacket.

I stepped toward her, but she backed away. She held out the jacket as a barrier between us.

“Go. Please,” she said. “Before I lose my nerve.”

I nodded reluctantly. Then I took my jacket and looked into her eyes.

“Are you sure?” I repeated.

“Yes.”

I paused in the doorway, in case she changed her mind, but she didn’t. So I pulled it closed and felt a chill as the adrenaline stopped pumping. After a moment I shook off my disappointment. I looked down at the Cruiser, and Christy gazed up at me from the passenger window. I jogged down the stairs. She waited until I climbed in and closed the door.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I lied.

“Only… you were up there for a long time.”

“Just gimme a sec. I’ll tell you, but I need to sort it out in my head first.”

She nodded, although her curiosity bubbled just beneath the surface. After a moment she scooted toward me and touched my thigh. Her hand slid higher, and her fingers caressed my hard-on, which hadn’t softened a bit.

“Let’s go home,” she said.

* * *

An hour later I rolled to my back and gasped like a landed fish. My dick felt cold without Christy’s silky heat, and it slowly softened as the blood left it and returned to the big head.

“Oh my gosh,” Christy panted. “I don’t think I can move.”

I swallowed to moisten my mouth. “Sorry.”

“Mmm, don’t be.” She found a reserve of energy, rolled toward me, and slid her leg over mine. Her skin was warm and smooth. She planted a kiss on my chest and then heaved a sigh. “You need to flirt with Terri more often.”

“You say that now…,” I accused.

She shivered with an aftershock. “No, I’m serious. I get so worked up thinking about you and her. I came, like, a million times. I’m still tingling.”

“Good.”

She fell silent for nearly a minute. “Are you ready to tell me?” she asked. “I think I know, but…”

“Yeah. Gimme a sec.”

“Take your time. We have the rest of our lives.” She laughed, soft and breathy. “That’s still the worst line ever.”

“So sue me.”

“I’d rather use you instead.” She cupped my balls and caressed them. “When you’re ready.”

“Gonna be a while.”

“Mmm, I know,” she said languidly. “I’m full of confidence. Two big doses. I can still feel it inside me, all hot and slippery. But I need more. Always.”

“You’re insatiable,” I chuckled.

“But only for you.” She pushed herself up and propped her cheek on her fist. “Now, tell me about Terri. You’re stalling.”

“Yeah. Sorry.”

“Why?”

“I… don’t know. You probably know most of what happened.”

“Mr. Big told me. But I still want details.”

“Okay. Here goes…”

She listened intently as I told her everything. She kept silent when I finished, and I began to worry.

“Well?” I said at last. “What do you think?”

“I think I hate her.”

My eyebrows flew up.

“Not really, but sort of.”

“Why? I thought—”

“It isn’t fair. That she looks like she does and doesn’t have a gag reflex!”

I burst out laughing, more a release of tension than anything else.

“You don’t understand,” Christy pouted. “I can’t change how I look, but I had to work really hard to learn to deep throat. It’s taken me… what? Six months?”

“More like two,” I chuckled.

“You know what I mean. That’s a long time. And she can just do it? It isn’t fair,” she insisted. “Some girls have all the luck.”

“She doesn’t have me.”

“You aren’t a consolation prize. You’re my boyfriend. My future husband.”

“True.”

“And I love you very much. But I’m still jealous. Of her, I mean.”

“Don’t be.”

“I know. I shouldn’t be, but…” She shrugged. “I don’t think you understand how hard I work to keep you interested.”

“I understand. And for the record, I work pretty hard to keep you interested.”

“I know. And thank you. But… still. No gag reflex? Ugh!” She sulked for a moment. “I’m not even upset that she doesn’t want to let me watch.”

“Then what are you upset about?”

“Nothing, I suppose. Well, maybe the gag reflex,” she admitted. “And her breasts. They’re amazing, aren’t they?”

“Pretty amazing,” I agreed.

She flopped to her back and sighed. “I suppose I’m upset that she doesn’t like girls. What’s the matter? I’m not cute enough?”

“You’re pretty cute. You just don’t have the right parts.”

“I don’t have a penis, you mean. What’s the punchline of that joke?” she mused. “With one of these, I can get as many of those as I want?”

“Yeah,” I chuckled. “But how d’you know that joke?”

“Paul, dear… five brothers? And a father? All military? I’ve heard just about every dick joke there is.”

“Ah, right.” I paused and then asked, “So, what do you want to do?”

“About what? Terri?”

“Do you want me to stop seeing her?”

She bolted upright. “No, of course not. Why would I want that?”

“I dunno. I just thought…”

“No, I want you to seduce her. How can you turn her bi if you stop seeing her?”

“You’re a determined little thing, I’ll give you that.”

“I am. And I’m used to getting what I want.”

“Heaven help anyone who tries to stop you.”

“Mmm,” she mused. “Only, now I have to figure out how to do it.”

“Well, you have a few months.”

“You could call her now. I bet she’s still awake.” She closed her eyes and imagined it. “She’s probably playing with herself. She uses a dildo. Did I tell you that? I wonder if she’d let me use it on her.” She pouted. “Why can’t real life be more like Penthouse? All the women in the letters are bi, and they love it when another woman joins them.”

“I don’t think the letters are real. Besides, bi women are pretty rare.”

“They’re more common than you think,” she insisted. “Only, they have to hide it. Most guys aren’t like you.”

“Fair enough.” I wasn’t sure Terri was one of them, but it wasn’t worth an argument.

“Oh, fine, Mr. Skeptic,” Christy said. “You may be right.”

“About what?”

“About Terri. Not being one of them.”

“How’d—?”

“Paul, dear, you get this look when you disagree but don’t want to argue.”

I chuckled. “Guilty as charged.”

“Still, I want to try. Well, I want you to try. Maybe on—”

“Maybe on what?”

“Oh, nothing. Only, I don’t want to wait till the end of the summer.”

“You might have to.”

“You may be right,” she said with a sigh. “I don’t think one time will do it. At least I’m patient.”

“You are not!” I laughed.

“I am too. When I want something this much. Look how long I waited for you.”

“True.”

“I always knew you’d come around, even though it took you long enough.”

“And you think Terri will too?”

“Eventually. Only… I don’t know,” she admitted. “I always knew with you. I could feel it. Besides, you were different. I didn’t have to convince you. Terri isn’t like that, is she? She’s… normal.”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

She thought about it and shrugged. “That’s okay. I like a challenge.”

“It’s a pretty big one.”

“I don’t care. The bigger, the better. Mmm, speaking of bigger and better…” She eyed my limp manhood, and her eyes flashed with determination. “Do you think you can come again? So soon?”

“I dunno,” I hedged.

“Mmm, I bet you can. C’mere, Mr. Big. I think better with something in my mouth. And I’m sorry about my stupid gag reflex. At least I know how to get around it. Just relax and let me do all the work.”

* * *

Christy had her portfolio review the following day. As expected, it was a formality, a box that needed to be checked before she could graduate.

In my life, Joska’s exam was the only one I really worried about. I knew the material by heart, but it was still thirty percent of my final grade. On a whim—and to keep myself from obsessing over the exam—I wrote a note before class and dropped it on Gracie’s desk as I walked past.

You’re an amazing designer. One day I’m going to tell people I went to school with you. And whatever happens in the class standings, no matter who’s first, you’re still the best. Good luck.

She read it and stared into space for a long, heart-rending moment. Then she took out a pen and wrote a reply. She refolded the note and passed it down the row.

Thanks. You too.

I smiled to myself and felt better about the world. At least, I did until Freddie invaded my little island of self-congratulation.

“Ay, paisan!” He slid into his desk. “What’re we s’posed to bring to this party on Wednesday?”

“Freddie!” Rosemary cried. “It’s a surprise party!”

“Oh, yeah. Sorry. Fuggedaboutit. So, what’re we s’posed to bring?”

“It’s okay,” I told Rosemary, “I knew already. Christy isn’t good at keeping secrets.”

“As long as it wasn’t Freddie who gave it away,” she said.

“No. As for what to bring, whatever you want to drink. Maybe something besides sambuca. Sorry. I know it’s Italian, but…”

“It’s disgusting,” Rosemary agreed.

Freddie looked mortally offended.

“Is there anything special you want instead?” she asked me.

“I dunno. Sorry. Maybe a bottle of whiskey?”

“Ay, now you’re talkin’!” Freddie said. “You got it.”

Professor Joska swept into the room. “Please take your seats,” he said. “We will begin. Today’s exam will consist of three parts…”

* * *

I ran into Nikki afterward, although she actually stopped me.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Yeah, sorry. I just finished my design exam. I’m still a little high. On adrenaline,” I added quickly.

She looked into my eyes. “Are you sure that’s all?”

“Positive,” I chuckled. “I don’t do drugs.”

“Maybe you should try. They take the edge off.”

“Not my scene,” I said. “I’m high on life.”

“Whatever.”

“Hey, as long as I ran into you… What’re you doing Wednesday night?”

“Nothing. Why?”

“Christy’s having a little surprise party. It’s my birthday—”

“Oh, cool. Happy birthday.”

“Thanks. Anyway, I’m sure—”

“Hold on,” she interrupted again. “If it’s a surprise party, how’d you know about it? Never mind. She can’t keep a secret to save her life.”

“She can,” I said, “but not when she’s excited. And not about something like this.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Anyway, about this party?” She looked at her watch. “I don’t have all afternoon.”

“Wednesday evening, seven o’clock, our house. You know where it is?” I gave her the address. “Bring your guy friend,” I added. “Or a lady friend.”

She gave me a quizzical look. “Why d’you care who’s between my legs?”

“Normal human curiosity.”

“Well, it isn’t gonna be you.”

I laughed. “No. Besides, you aren’t my type.”

“What? ’Cause I’m not a girly-girl like Lily?”

“No, I like you well enough. And you’re actually very pretty. You try to hide it with your hair and piercings and makeup—”

“I’m not hiding anything!” she objected. “I like the way I look. Besides, I don’t do it for you or anyone else in the male-dom—”

“I got it! I got it! Truce,” I said in a calmer voice. “Sorry. I said that wrong. You know I’m on your side.” I looked at her steadily, until she nodded. “You aren’t my type because you aren’t interested.”

“What? In guys?”

“No, in me.”

She frowned warily.

“You aren’t interested in me,” I repeated. “Specifically.”

“No.”

“So… I’m not interested in you. Not as anything but a friend.”

“For real?”

“For real.” I chuckled at a thought. “I’d probably become interested, real quick, if you do decide you like me.”

“Why’s that?”

“Like I said, you’re pretty. And interesting. And… you probably realized this, but I don’t go for traditional girly-girls like Lily.”

“I thought you liked her,” she said. “By the way, what happened to her? I haven’t seen her in… a week?”

“Long story,” I said. “And I probably won’t tell you.”

She did the thing with her pierced eyebrow.

“Sorry, no.”

All of a sudden she laughed. “You’re a lousy agent of the patriarchy, you know that?”

“I try.”

“I didn’t like you when I first met you,” she said out of the blue.

I shrugged. “The feeling was mutual.”

“But you’re all right.”

“Thanks. You too.”

“Anyway, about this party? I really don’t have all afternoon. I have an exam in…” She looked at her watch again. “Three minutes.”

“Right. Birthday party. Don’t worry about a gift. Just bring whatever you want to drink. Bring a date. Of your choice. Or not. Again, your choice.”

She smiled. “I’ll probably bring my friend. Dex. Short for Dexter.”

“Pizza guy? I liked him.”

“Yeah, he liked you. He said you tip well.”

“Cool. Anyway, see you Wednesday.”

“Yeah, see ya.”

“Oh, and good luck on your exam.”

“Thanks. I’m gonna need it.”

* * *

Thanks to a quirk in the exam schedules, Dance Appreciation was also our last exam (and the only one for Christy). Wren looked like she’d been through the wringer. Even Trip looked worn out. His exams hadn’t been all that difficult, but he’d been up late every night, studying with Wren for hers.

“One more hour,” Wren muttered to herself. “Then I can go somewhere and die quietly.”

Christy and I shared a worried look.

“Nope,” Wren said all of a sudden. “I don’t care anymore. I’m over it.” She started gathering her things to leave.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” I came out of my desk, but Trip was closer.

“C’mon, babe,” he soothed. “You can do this. Last one. Then you’re done. Forever.”

She started crying, tears of stress more than anything. People around us turned and stared, but we ignored them.

“I don’t think I can,” Wren sniffled.

“Sure you can,” Christy said.

“But I don’t know any of this stuff!”

“You can cheat off of Paul,” Christy said. “Can’t she, honey? Switch desks with me.”

I blinked in surprise, but Wren laughed through her tears.

“Since when do you call anyone honey?” she asked Christy.

“All the time. I’m in the south, aren’t I?”

“Wren’s right,” Trip said to her. “You have to be born here to call people that. It’s like grits and y’all. If you aren’t from here, don’t try it.”

“I can too call people honey. And I can say y’all.” She glared stubbornly. “Y’all can kiss my grits. See?”

Trip, Wren, and I shared a look, and we all burst into snickers that turned into laughter at Christy’s indignant expression.

“It isn’t funny!”

“Oh, sweetheart,” Wren said. “We love you, but you aren’t from the south.” She smiled and wiped her eyes. “Don’t try to pretend.”

“I can pretend all I want,” Christy grumbled under her breath. “Y’all. Honey. Ain’t. See?”

“Bless her heart,” Trip said.

“She tries,” Wren agreed.

“Ugh!”

“There, there,” I told her. “It’ll be all right. I’ll give you lessons. Or something. Ahem.”

“Ha ha. Very funny.”

We fell silent and let the tension evaporate.

“Thank you,” Wren said quietly. “Y’all’re the best.”

“Y’hear that?” Trip said. “It just rolls off the tongue.”

“All right,” I told him, “she gets it.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Sorry, Christy. We’re just foolin’ around.”

“Don’t you mean ‘fooling’ around?” she said, saccharine-sweet.

“That too,” he agreed wryly.

Terri burst through the gym doors.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said. “The Xerox machine wasn’t working.” She waved a thin sheaf of papers. “I only managed to copy the first page before it died. And since I don’t want to be here any more than you do, we’re going with it.” She started passing them out.

“Is this it?” a girl in front asked. “Ten questions?”

“That’s it,” Terri said. “There were twenty more and an essay question, but… Oh, well. Less for me to grade.”

“You rock!” a guy said.

“I rumba too. Sorry. Bad dance joke.”

The exam took ten minutes, including time to double-check my answers. Trip and Wren had finished theirs and turned them in, although they’d stuck around to wait for Christy and me. We were the last ones left, but she chewed her pencil and felt us watching her.

“I’ll catch up with you,” she said.

Wren frowned. “Why? You’ve been done for a couple of minutes.”

“I… um… think I got a question wrong. I need to reread it.” She scowled and tried to nod unobtrusively toward Terri.

Wren didn’t understand, but I did.

“What’s so funny?” Christy said.

“Nothing,” I lied. Then I gestured to Trip and Wren. “Come on, let’s go. We can wait outside while she finishes.”

“Why?” Wren said. “She’s done.”

“Let’s just get out of here,” Trip demanded. “Turn it in already.”

“Relax,” I said reasonably. “She wants to invite Terri to the party. She can’t do it while I’m here, so…” I gestured at the doors.

“Ugh! Sometimes I really don’t like you,” Christy said.

“Sorry. But… you aren’t the best conspirator in the world.”

“I’m not that bad,” she grumped.

“No, you aren’t. But that reminds me… I invited Nikki and her friend Dex to the party.”

Christy brightened before she remembered that she didn’t like me.

“C’mon,” I said to Trip and Wren. “Let’s wait outside. She can… um… do whatever. You know, stuff I don’t know about.”

She glared.

“I swear,” Wren laughed, “I didn’t tell him.”

“Tell me what?” I asked blankly.

“Go,” Christy said. “Just… go.”

* * *

I rose at my usual time the next morning and went for a run, although I sang a few bars of “Happy Birthday” to myself as I set out. I was still humming when someone called my name.

“Hold up!” she yelled. I slowed and turned, and Terri jogged toward me from the alley shortcut. She wore a Nike tank top, loose running shorts, and her hair in a ponytail. “Hey, sorry. I was retying my shoe when I saw you.”

“Hold on,” I said, “were you waiting for me?”

“Yeah. I hope you don’t mind. I wanted to talk to you. Without Christy around. And this was the only way I could think of that wasn’t obvious.”

“Oh. In that case… You wanna run or talk?”

“Uh… both.”

“Can you do both?”

“I’m a Phys Ed major about to get my PhD. I’m probably in better condition than you are.”

“You’re certainly in better shape than I am.”

She followed my glance to her chest. “Seriously? Are we back to these again?”

“Can you blame me? They look really nice, even strapped down like that.”

“It’s called a Jogbra,” she deadpanned. “And we shouldn’t be talking about it. Or them.”

“Why not?”

“Because you aren’t my boyfriend.”

“Not technically. But you did show them to me the other night.”

“I knew you were going to mention that. I made a mistake, and I’m sorry. I was drunk.”

“Were not.”

“Can we just forget about it?”

“Mmm, no, sorry,” I said. “I have that image burned into my memory. It’s very sexy.”

“Thank you,” she said, stubbornly polite. “But I’d rather not talk about it.”

“Fair enough. What do you wanna talk about instead?”

“You mind if we run while we talk?”

“Sure. Let’s go.” I set out at an easy jog.

“Oh, please.” She picked up the pace and waited for me to catch up and match her. “What’s up with this party tonight?” she asked. “Christy really wants me to come, but I’m not so sure.”

“If you’re worried she might try something—”

“I’m not. I’m… uh…”

“Worried that I might try something?”

“No. You’ve been a complete gentleman.”

“Ah. I get it. You’re worried what you might do.”

She grimaced and didn’t answer.

I shrugged. “We won’t do anything you don’t want to.”

“What if I get drunk again and lose control?”

“You weren’t drunk,” I said, “and you didn’t lose control.”

“Yeah, I did. I flashed you! I told you… all those things.”

“So? You let your inhibitions down.”

“But I don’t like it when I do that.”

“You liked it at the time.”

“Well, I regret it now,” she said immediately.

I shot her a sideways look and ran in silence.

“Okay, no, I don’t regret it,” she said at last. “But I— we can’t let it happen again.”

“Even though we both want it to?”

“You’re in a relationship.”

“An open relationship. Christy knows. Why d’you think she invited you tonight?”

“Because she still wants to… you know. With me.”

“Well, that’s true,” I admitted. “But she also wants you and me to… you know.” I decided to tell her the truth. “She actually wants me to seduce you and turn you bi.”

“For real?”

“Yeah. I told her it doesn’t work like that—”

“It doesn’t. I like men. One in particular,” she muttered, loud enough for me to hear. “But he’s taken.”

“In a relationship,” I stressed. “That isn’t the same thing as ‘off the market.’ As a matter of fact, I’m very much on the market as far as you’re concerned.”

“What about Lily? Were you on the market for her? Sorry,” she said immediately. “I don’t have any right.”

“Lily was…” I searched for the right word and decided on, “Not a mistake. She was young. And curious. And… looking for a good time.”

“So you did it with her? Ahh! I’m not like that! Jealous.”

“Does it bother you?” I asked.

“A little, yeah.”

“Why?”

She didn’t answer. She asked instead, “Will she be there tonight?”

“I don’t think so. She… moved on. Which is probably for the best.”

“Typical,” she muttered.

“Listen,” I said, “I’ve been completely honest with you. I haven’t lied and haven’t hidden anything. I’ve told you exactly what I want.”

“Yeah, you have.”

“I could’ve kept going the other night—”

“Yeah,” she said, so quietly that I almost didn’t hear.

“—but you asked me not to, so I didn’t.”

“But… why?”

“Because I respect you.”

“That’s a new one. Sorry. I shouldn’t be sarcastic,” she said. “Not when you’re being honest. I just… don’t know how to act. I’ve never been in a situation like this. I don’t even know what I want.”

“I think you do.”

She frowned and ran in silence.

After a minute I looked at her sideways and said, “You really are in good condition.”

“Thanks. And thanks for saying ‘condition,’ too, instead of ‘shape.’”

“I like your shape, but I wasn’t flirting. It was an honest compliment.”

“Thank you. And you have been honest.”

We ran in silence for another few blocks.

“Will you come tonight?” I said eventually. “I’d like to see you.”

“I’ll… think about it.” She glanced at me and grinned. “On second thought, I’ll do it. But on one condition.”

“Name it.”

“Take off your shirt.”

“What?” I laughed. “Now?”

“Yeah. I wanna see what you’re hiding under there. Besides, you’ve already seen me.”

“Fair enough.” I stripped off my shirt and tucked it into the waistband of my shorts.

“Nice.”

“Thanks. Any chance you’ll do the same?”

“Maybe. If you’re lucky.” She grinned a challenge. “If you can catch me.”

She sprinted off at a dead run. I tried to catch her—I even kept up for a while—but she was too fast. Worse, she had enough stamina to keep up the pace until I lagged and fell behind. I finally gave up and slowed to a stop. I walked in a circle and sucked in great lungfuls of air.

Terri jogged back with a smug grin. At least she was breathing hard too. Her chest heaved, and beads of sweat covered her smooth skin.

“You give up?” she panted.

“Never.”

“Good. I like that in a man. Walk me home while we cool down?”

“As soon as— I catch— my breath.”

She grinned and waited until I could breathe without a stitch in my side.

“I thought for a minute you might catch me,” she said.

“Not a chance. But… what would you have done if I had?”

“What I promised.”

My eyebrows shot up.

“I’m not a prude,” she laughed. “You should’ve realized that by now. I’m just… private.”

“Good to know.”

We reached her apartment building. She started up the stairs but turned before I could follow. She grinned down at me.

“You know,” I said idly, “for someone who doesn’t like to talk about her breasts, you sure like to show ’em off.”

“I didn’t say I don’t like to talk about them. I said we shouldn’t talk about them.”

“Ah. So you do like to talk about them?”

“Of course. They’re pretty amazing, if I say so myself.” She grinned and changed the subject. “What do you want for your birthday?”

“You.”

“No,” she laughed. “Something I can give you.”

“Sex.”

She rolled her eyes. “Something I can wrap. Like, a present?”

“Your body.”

“You don’t give up, do you?”

“No. Sorry. Except I’m not.”

“I can tell,” she laughed again. “Seriously. What do you want? For your birthday?” she stressed.

“Wear something sexy to the party.”

“That’s it?”

“Unless nude is an option.”

“I don’t mind nude. I kinda like it, as a matter of fact. But not for parties.” She paused and considered the request. “I can wear something sexy,” she said at last. “Do you have anything in mind?”

“Something that shows off your breasts.”

“Of course,” she laughed. “What’s the point otherwise?”

“Exactly. So… you’ll do it?”

“Mmm. I have just the thing.”

“Good. I’m looking forward to it.”

She arched an eyebrow and glanced at my shorts. “I can tell. I like that in a man too.”

* * *

I spent the rest of the morning relaxing and enjoying myself, although I couldn’t help but wonder what I was doing with Terri. I liked her, and I definitely wanted to have sex with her, but why was I chasing her so hard when I already had Christy? Sure, Christy wanted to have sex with her too, but that didn’t explain it. Well, not entirely.

At least I didn’t have time to brood about it. My parents called to wish me a happy birthday, and I spent a while talking to Erin about her trip to Europe. Susan called too, and she didn’t mention business once. I talked to both sets of grandparents and even my aunt in Florida.

I thought I was done with family and friends, but the phone rang again. I answered, and a small boy sang “Happy Birthday” with a woman accompanying him in the background. I had no idea who they were until he handed the phone to his mother.

“Hi, it’s Lynne. Carmichael.”

“Oh, Lynne! Hi!”

“Happy birthday. John wanted to sing. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, it was awesome! Tell him thank you very much.”

We chatted for a moment and then she apologized for not being able to come to Knoxville for Christy’s graduation.

“Jim’s on cruise,” she explained. “And traveling by myself with three children…”

“Is tough,” I agreed.

“Give Birdy a hug and tell her we love her. We love you as well.”

“Thanks, Lynne. That means a lot. Love you too.”

We said goodbye and hung up, but the phone rang again almost immediately.

“Hello?”

“Happy birthday, dear.”

“Anne! Hi. Thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome. Do you have big plans for the day?”

“Not really. Lots of phone calls,” I laughed.

We made small talk for a couple of minutes and then she wrapped up.

“We’ll see you tomorrow, dear. We’re so proud of you and Christine. Love to you both.”

I’d barely set the receiver on the cradle when it rang again. I answered.

“Happy birthday,” Marianne said. “You’re a popular man. At least I know I got the time right.”

I glanced at my watch. “What about it?”

“Birdy wanted us to call at the same time.”

“Oh, she did, did she?” I shot a look at Birdy herself, who blinked innocently.

“Mmm hmm,” Marianne said. “I’ve been trying for ten minutes, but the line was busy. I have you now, though! Oh, dear, listen to me,” she added with a laugh. “I sound like Snidely Whiplash. I need to talk to adults more. Anyway, happy birthday. And welcome to the family!”

“Thanks. I think.”

“On that note, we’re sorry we can’t make it for Birdy’s graduation.”

“She told me. Don’t worry about it,” I said. “It’s a long way, especially with four kids. And pregnant!”

“Only four months, but you’re right. Besides, we’ll see you out here in a couple of weeks.”

We talked for a few more minutes and then said goodbye.

“So,” I accused Christy, “you told your entire family to call me?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she lied.

The phone rang.

“Uh-huh,” I said.

It rang again.

“Are you going to answer it?” she prompted.

“Hello?”

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday too you…! I’ll stop now. I couldn’t sing if they paid me. And believe me, they’ve tried. Ha! It’s Sabrina, in case you were wondering.”

“I wasn’t,” I lied. “I recognized your beautiful singing voice.”

“Off-key,” she scoffed. “Danny makes fun of me. He says I’m as bad as his brother.”

“It’s the thought that counts.”

Someone called her name in the background.

“Oh, darn, I have to go. Sorry. I thought I had more time, but they need me in wardrobe. We’ll be finished here tomorrow and then I’m flying to Knoxville. Love and kisses. See you soon!”

I replaced the phone in its cradle. I started to thank Christy, but her frown stopped me.

“What?” I said instead.

The phone rang again, and she smiled smugly.

“Answer it.”

I lifted the handset. “Hello?”

“Happy birthday, kid.”

I blinked in shock. “Rich?”

“No, the Tooth Fairy. Who’d you think it was? Of course it’s me. Birdy said to call, so I called.”

“Do you always do what she says?”

“If I know what’s good for me.” He chuckled darkly. “Besides, Mom mentioned it, too.”

“And you always do what she says.”

“You’re learning,” he said. “Anyway, happy birthday.” He sounded like he meant it.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. And tell Birdy I’ll be able to come tomorrow after all.”

My eyebrows flew up. “You’re coming? Here?”

“She’s my baby sister. Besides, someone has to keep an eye on you.”

“Great,” I fibbed. “I can’t wait to see you.”

He chuckled again, even darker than before. “A healthy sense of danger. That’s a good sign. It’s a survival trait. You’re starting to grow on me, kid.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Mmm. Well, enough chitchat. I have work to do. See you tomorrow.”

We said goodbye and hung up.

Christy bounced to her feet. “Rich is coming? For real?”

“That’s what he said.”

“Oh my gosh, that’s wonderful! He really likes you, you know.”

“Coulda fooled me.”

“He does,” she insisted. “He just… doesn’t know how to show it.” She slipped her arms around me and hugged me tight. “Oh, Paul, I love you so much right now.”

“I love you too.”

“And my family loves you… but not as much as I do.”

My eyebrows rose at the suggestion in her voice.

“Is there anything special you’d like for your birthday? Before tonight?” She glanced toward the bedroom door. “Wren and Trip are running errands…”

“You read my mind. Get on your knees.”

“Mmm, you read my mind.”

* * *

The doorbell rang several hours later, but it was too early for the party. I glanced at Christy, who was curled up in her favorite chair in my studio. She was dozing peacefully, and late afternoon sunlight slanted across her sketchpad. She’d been drawing vignettes of me from a few hours earlier, when I’d been dozing myself.

I headed downstairs and passed Trip and Wren’s closed bedroom door. They were showering after their own “nap.” Wren was finally starting to look and act normal again, although it would be a while before she recovered completely.

I reached the first floor landing as the doorbell rang again. Annoyed footsteps sounded from above, so I called up, “I got it!”

I opened the front door.

“Hey, there he is!” A guy with a buzz cut and tattoos held a half-dozen pizza boxes, but he didn’t look like a delivery guy. He wore a Bad Religion T-shirt, a studded belt, and ripped jeans. He looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place him. “The birthday boy,” he added.

“What? How’d—?” I looked at his face. “Dex? Hey! Sorry, I didn’t recognize you without the spiky hair.”

“Yeah, I shaved it off. LA instead of London,” he added. I clearly didn’t understand, so he gestured with the pizza boxes. “Sorry we didn’t call. Nik wanted it to be a surprise.”

“It’s a surprise, all right. C’mon in,” I said. “Is she with you?”

“She’s in the car. We didn’t want to invade if… you know.”

“Nonsense. We can’t eat that many pizzas. Put ’em on the dining room table.” I pointed, let him pass, and stepped onto the front porch. I motioned to Nikki, who climbed out of the car.

“Are you sure it’s okay?” she called. “I know we’re early.”

“You’re on time if you show up with pizza.”

She laughed, and Dex slid past me from behind.

“We brought brewskis, too. We were kinda hoping… you know. Sorry if we took your hospitality for granted.”

“You heard what I said about pizza?” I fell in beside him. “That goes double if you bring beer.” I held out my hand when we reached his car. “We haven’t been formally introduced. I’m Paul.”

“Dexter,” he said as he shook it. “Dex to my friends.”

He’d brought a couple of six-packs of beer, in longneck bottles instead of cans. Nikki joined us as we walked inside.

“You’re sure you don’t mind?” she said.

“Not at all. Trip and Wren are still getting ready, and Christy’s napping upstairs, but she needs to wake up anyway.”

Trip was waiting for us in the foyer. He had a towel wrapped around his waist and looked like he’d been sent to find out what was going on.

“What’s going on?”

I chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, sorry.” I gestured toward the dining room. “Dex and Nikki brought pizza.”

Trip’s attitude changed abruptly. “Oh?”

“Yeah. A surprise birthday present.” I introduced him to Nikki.

“We met at the gala,” he said. “Remember?”

“Oh, yeah! Sorry. This is Dex, her boyfriend.”

“Friend-friend,” Dex corrected. He shook Trip’s hand and they exchanged greetings.

“All right,” Trip said, “I’m gonna finish getting dressed. I’ll tell Wren about the pizza.”

He headed back upstairs.

“Plates and napkins in the kitchen,” I said to Nikki and Dex. “Fridge too. Duh. For the beer. Make yourselves at home,” I added. “I’m going to wake Christy.”

She was already awake when I bounded up the stairs to the third floor. She yawned and stretched with one of her little squeaks.

“How long was I asleep?” she asked.

“About an hour.”

She tilted her face up for a kiss and then sighed happily. “Who was at the door?”

I told her.

“Pizza? Yum! I’m starving. Someone kept me from my afternoon snack.”

“I fed you,” I protested. “Semen.”

“Not enough.”

“Once this morning and twice this afternoon isn’t enough?” I teased.

“I’m insatiable, remember? Mmm, and Terri’s coming tonight. She likes giving head. Maybe you can seduce her and we’ll double-team you. She’ll decide she likes women after all, and we can double-team her.”

“Oh, boy. Your libido’s in overdrive again, isn’t it?”

“My imagination too.”

“Never thought I’d meet a girl like me.”

She beamed.

“But you’re worse. Do you need to change clothes before the party?”

“I need to put on a bra,” she said, “but this is fine. It’s just friends tonight. I need to fix my hair and makeup, though. Someone mussed me earlier.”

“This ‘someone’ sure did a number on you.”

“Mmm, I know. And he can do it again and again, as often as he likes.”

“He likes,” I said. “But later. Right now, we have guests.”

“Yes, sir.”

* * *

Dex was a bit of a mystery at first. He looked and acted like a punk, complete with tattoos and a couple of piercings. He didn’t speak like one, though, and he definitely wasn’t just a pizza guy. Everything clicked into place when he said he was a student too, working on his master’s degree.

“I study wildlife and fisheries science,” he explained, “with an emphasis on conservation.”

Trip snorted derisively. He caught himself and tried to backpedal. “I mean, can you actually get a job doing that?”

“Sure. With Fish and Wildlife or the National Park Service. They’re who I’m working with now, studying the impact of invasive species.”

“How’s that a problem?” Trip wondered. “Survival of the fittest, right?”

“Not exactly. Evolution is a natural process over hundreds of generations. I’m talking about the sudden introduction of another species. Take trout, for instance. I’m studying the brook trout population. They’re competing against non-native rainbow and brown trout.”

“Why not add Board of Education trout?” I joked. “To make it a fair fight.”

Everyone frowned blankly.

“You know… rainbow versus brook trout? Brown versus Board of Education trout?”

They groaned.

“It wasn’t that bad,” I protested.

“It was the worst!” Wren said.

“Not the worst,” Christy added, “but you’re on probation.”

“No, it was pretty good,” Dex conceded. “And it illustrates a problem we face. People don’t take the environment seriously, so—”

The doorbell rang.

“That’s my cue.” I rose and went to answer it.

“Anyway, it’s a problem,” Dex said from behind me. “So, what do you do, Trip?”

“These days I’m a construction manager.”

“Sounds interesting.”

I opened the front door and stopped. I probably stared. I might’ve said something random. I wasn’t thinking clearly, whatever it was. The blood was going to the wrong head for that.

“So,” Terri said, “sexy enough for you?”

She wore a neon pink minidress that clung to her like a second skin. The cross-neck top revealed her shoulders and made it clear she wasn’t wearing a bra. She didn’t need one, but that wasn’t the point. The dress was a statement more than an outfit, an invitation and a tease.

“That’s a yes?” she ventured.

“Two of them.”

“Two?”

“Think about it.”

She rolled her eyes but then smiled. “Are either of you going to invite me in?”

“Both of us. Sorry about that,” I added. “I’m not really a slave to my… um…”

She raised an eyebrow.

“My… you know,” I finished lamely. “I get carried away sometimes.”

“It’s very flattering.”

“Come on in,” I said, more like a normal person. “Everyone’s in the dining room. We have pizza if you want.”

“I ate earlier, thanks. I brought wine, though. I know you like rosé. It even has a cork.”

I grinned. “I’ll put it in the fridge.”

She handed me a small gift bag as well. Then she leaned close and said in a low voice, “The dress is your real present, but I had to give you something to unwrap in front of everyone else.”

I nodded and ushered her toward the dining room. She stiffened slightly when she saw the others, and I realized that she felt a bit overdressed. Christy must have sensed it too.

“Oh my gosh, I love your dress,” she said.

“Thank you,” Terri said awkwardly. “I thought it was going to be more like a cocktail party. I should go home and change.”

“Nonsense.” “No, stay!” “You look awesome.”

“We want you to stay,” I added in a normal tone.

She blinked and recovered. “Clearly.”

“I know!” Christy said. “Let’s all dress up!”

“Us too?” Trip objected.

Annoyance flashed in her eyes, but she mastered it before the others saw. She forced a smile instead. “No, just the women. Come on,” she said to the others, “let’s do it.”

“You don’t have to,” Terri demurred.

“Trust me,” I told her, “she doesn’t need an excuse to play dress-up.”

Wren glanced at Nikki and sized her up. “I probably have something to fit you.”

Nikki grinned. Then she glanced at Christy. “Sure. Why not?”

Christy’s eyes were already bright with enthusiasm. “You can help me pick something out,” she said to Terri, who looked a little nervous at the prospect.

“This should be fun,” I told the guys.

Christy grabbed Terri’s hand and practically dragged her toward the stairs. Terri shot me a helpless look over her shoulder, but she didn’t resist. Wren and Nikki followed at a more sedate pace.

The doorbell rang, so I went to answer it.

“Ay, birthday boy!” Freddie said. “How’s it hangin’?”

“Freddie,” Rosemary chided.

“Hangin’ fine. Thanks for coming.” I ushered them inside and closed the door.

Freddie held up a purple and gold Crown Royal bag, and Rosemary handed me a small wrapped present.

“Happy birthday,” she said warmly. Then she looked toward the dining room.

“The girls are playing dress-up,” I explained. “Upstairs.”

“Christy said it was casual, just a few friends.”

“It is. Well, it was.” I explained about Terri and her dress.

Rosemary herself was wearing a light summer dress with blue polka dots. She had a far nicer body than any of us had imagined before Halloween, although she didn’t draw attention to it like Lily would have. She wasn’t shy, but somewhere in between.

“Christy or Wren probably have something to fit you,” I added.

“I’m fine,” she protested.

“No, do it,” Freddie urged. “You know I love it when you get all dressed up.”

“Are you sure?” she asked me.

“I’m sure.”

“Do it, babe,” Freddie said.

She impulsively kissed his cheek. Then she grinned and ran up the stairs.

“Oh, ay!” Freddie said. “I could get used to that.”

* * *

The girls came downstairs about twenty minutes later. Trip and Dex were discussing music over a couple of beers, while Freddie and I had opened my birthday present and were comparing answers from Joska’s final exam. We were so absorbed in conversation that we didn’t notice the girls until Wren cleared her throat. Talk stopped abruptly and we stared. Then Freddie spoke for all of us, with his usual eloquence.

“Get da fuck outta here.”

“Excuse me?” Wren laughed.

“No, that’s a good thing,” Rosemary said quickly. She’d chosen a multicolored cotton dress that flared at the waist. It didn’t show as much skin as the others, but she looked good in it.

Nikki was taller than Wren but about the same size. She wore a black silk crepe dress with a butterfly design. The color was masculine and the design feminine, which suited her perfectly. She had the body for it, too. She arched an eyebrow, and for once she seemed a little self-conscious. I smiled and met her eyes, and she actually blushed.

Wren herself looked fantastic in a blue watercolor silk dress. It didn’t show off her chest like Terri’s did, but it was more elegant, especially with sapphire earrings and a matching pendant.

My eyes fell on Christy last. She wore an ivory and gold lace cocktail dress. She didn’t have Terri’s breasts, Wren’s hips, or Nikki’s attitude, but she still took my breath away. Her hair matched the gold lace, and the ivory fabric complemented her smooth, tan skin.

“Wow,” I added superfluously.

“Amazing,” Trip agreed. Then he added flippantly, “So, happy birthday, Paul. Nice to meet you, Dex. Good to see you, Freddie. Y’all have fun without us.” He rose and extended a hand to Wren.

“Where’re we going?” she asked, amused.

“Straight to bed.”

“Trip Whitman, I did not do my hair and makeup just for you to drag me off to bed.”

“You didn’t?” He was joking and she knew it, but she still rolled her eyes and played along.

“No. I’ll let you fix me a drink, though.”

“Done! Ladies? The bar is open. Mix-master Trip, at your service. Who wants what?”

* * *

We moved the party to the front room, where Trip turned on his stereo and put in a mix tape. He and Dex resumed their music discussion from earlier, until Dex went out to his car and fetched a shoebox of cassettes.

He treated Trip to a high-volume lesson in the varieties of punk. Trip soaked it up with enthusiasm. The rest of us didn’t have any choice. I didn’t mind the London groups, like the Clash and the Buzzcocks, but the LA groups were just a bunch of screaming and noise as far as I was concerned. Nikki enjoyed the music, but she had almost as much fun watching me grow more annoyed with each cassette.

“You’re a bad person,” I half-shouted at her.

“I know!”

Christy, Wren, and Freddie were talking and drinking and completely oblivious to the cacophony.

I finally retreated to the dining room, where Terri and Rosemary joined me.

“Who needs a refill?” I asked. “Wine and…? What’re you drinking, Rosemary?”

“Just Coke, but…”

“We need something stronger,” Terri said for both of them, and they shared a laugh. “We’re still in shock from the music,” she added. “Besides, I… uh… might get a little drunk tonight.”

My eyebrows ticked up.

“Me too,” Rosemary said.

“Right! Jack and Coke?”

“That’d be awesome.” “Yes, please.”

I returned a few minutes later with the drinks. We chatted about school and life and summer plans. Rosemary had a job as a lifeguard at a local country club. Freddie planned to live at home and work for a company that installed commercial HVAC systems.

“I want to ask him to move in with me,” Rosemary said tentatively, “but I don’t want to rush things. Besides, my grandma says he’ll never buy the cow if he gets the milk for free.”

“I hate that phrase,” I said. “Women aren’t cows. Sex isn’t a commodity. And marriage isn’t a transaction.”

Rosemary blinked at my vehemence.

“Listen,” I told her, “you and Freddie are adults. Sex isn’t something you ‘give’ him. It’s something you share. The same with marriage. It’s a partnership, not an owner-property arrangement. And you’re just as important as he is. You aren’t some cow,” I said contemptuously. “Besides, Freddie cares about more than ‘milk.’ At least, he does if he knows what’s good for him. If he doesn’t, send him to me,” I told her. “I’ll knock some sense into him and send him back.”

I fell silent and gulped my drink to cover a flush of embarrassment.

“Sorry to get on my soapbox,” I added.

“No,” Rosemary said, “I never realized you were so…”

“Passionate,” Terri finished.

“Right, passionate.” Rosemary sipped her own drink and glanced at the front room. “Do you really think he wants to marry me? He says he does, but…” She sighed. “He respects you. Do you think you could… talk to him, maybe?”

“I could,” I said, “but it needs to come from you.”

“I couldn’t! I can’t,” she added in a more normal tone.

“Why not?”

“Because.”

“Rose,” I said gently, “marriage is about communication and sharing. Compromise too. And you need to do it, not me.”

She nodded glumly.

“You can do it,” I assured her. “I’ve seen you do presentations in front of Joska. He doesn’t love you. Not like Freddie does.”

“I know. You’re right. I just…” She glanced at Freddie again. “I don’t want to lose him.”

“You won’t. Talk to him. He’ll listen.”

“Or Paul will knock some sense into him,” Terri added.

Rosemary laughed and blinked back tears. “Thank you.”

I reached across the table and squeezed her hand.

She smiled at the touch, but also the reassurance. “Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to get all serious.”

“That’s what friends’re for,” I said.

“Thank you.”

Terri caressed my leg with her foot, although she pulled it away before I could react. Then Freddie arrived and completely hijacked the conversation.

“Ay, there’s my girl!”

“Freddie,” I wondered archly, “do New Yorkers do anything at normal volume?”

“Whaddya mean? Never mind. How you doin’?” he asked Rosemary.

She smiled up at him. He was tipsy but not so drunk that he missed the uncertainty in her expression.

“Ay, oh! What’s’a matter?”

“Nothing,” she lied. Then she forced a smile.

“Then why’re you in here?” he asked.

She shrugged. “The music was a little loud.”

“I’ll fix it!” He turned and headed back to the front room. “Yo! Change the music. Something the girls’ll like.” He stood in the living room and shouted back, “They’re takin’ requests.”

“The Beatles?” Terri suggested.

I relayed it to Freddie in a louder voice. He passed it on to Trip and then returned to the dining room.

“Forgot why I was here in the first place.” He brandished two cups. “Christy an’ Wren needed more whiskey. And me bein’ the gentleman I am, I offered to get it for ’em.” He glanced at Rosemary’s half-full cup. “What’re you drinkin’?”

“Jack and Coke,” I told him.

“Right.” He thrust the girls’ cups at me. “You take care of these. I got my lady.”

Rosemary smiled and turned pink.

“Come on,” I said to Terri, “let’s refill these and go be sociable.”

* * *

We spent the next hour talking and drinking and listening to the Beatles. Then I opened my birthday presents. In addition to the bottle of whiskey, Freddie and Rosemary gave me a pocket guide to architecture. He smiled expansively and took credit, but I knew where it had probably come from, so I nodded my thanks to her.

“We didn’t know what to get you,” Nikki said, “so we brought pizza and beer.”

“And I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” I said.

“Or the bottom of his stomach,” Freddie joked. “But, ay, Dex, that pizza’s awesome. Almost as good as New York. Thanks.”

I opened Trip and Wren’s presents next, a small drafting board and a K+E tool set in a small case.

“You’re gonna need ’em this summer,” Trip said.

“I like Nikki and Dex’s gift better,” I laughed. “Yours comes with a ton of work.”

“Hey, we’re getting paid, remember?”

“I remember.” I smiled and added seriously, “Thank you very much. I’ll put ’em to good use.”

“Open Terri’s next,” Christy said.

I unwrapped a long, flat box and revealed a pastel pink Pierre Cardin tie.

“Ooh, nice,” Christy said. “You have good taste.”

“Thank you,” Terri said. “I hope you like it.”

I thanked her and then opened Christy’s presents, a Lagerfeld toiletry set and the Phaidon Encyclopedia of Art and Artists. She had at least two more presents upstairs, private ones, but I kissed her and thanked her for the cologne and book.

Finally, we toasted my birthday and poured fresh drinks for everyone. Trip turned up the music, and the party resumed where we’d left off.

* * *

We were still going strong a couple of hours later. Christy, Wren, and Freddie had been drinking pretty steadily all night, although the others had done their best to keep up. Rosemary hadn’t, but she was a lightweight. She seemed happy, though, and leaned with her back against Freddie as he argued something with Trip and Dex.

Terri and I were the soberest of the bunch, although “sober” was a completely relative term. Neither of us were feeling any pain. The night was still young, so I was a little surprised when she leaned into me and said she should go.

“Why?” I protested. “Stay.”

“No, I’m a third wheel. Everyone else is part of a couple.”

I glanced up and saw Christy watching us. Her eyes were bright with alcohol and barely suppressed desire.

Terri stood and wobbled. Her dancer’s reflexes saved her, but she still sat down heavily. Christy abandoned her drink and rushed to her side.

“Are you okay? Do you need to lie down?”

“No, I’m fine,” Terri said. “I just need some fresh air.”

“Do you want to take her upstairs?” Christy asked me. “You can put her in our room.”

What’re you doing? I demanded with a look.

Please? Can we? She knew the answer before I gave it, and she sighed in resignation.

“I should go,” Terri repeated.

“Do you want Paul to walk you home?”

“No, I—” She took another deep breath. “If you don’t mind?”

“No, of course not,” Christy said. She helped me get Terri to her feet and then followed us to the foyer. “Thank you for coming.”

“Thanks for inviting me,” Terri said. “And thanks. For letting Paul… uh… take me home.”

Christy smiled and put her hand on my arm. She stretched up for a kiss. “I’ll see you when you get back.”

* * *

The evening was warm, but Terri still leaned against me as we walked to her apartment. She seemed steadier than before, and I wondered if her dizziness had been real. She wasn’t the type to fake it for attention, and she had been drinking all night. Not like Christy and the others, but enough.

I decided to stop overthinking it. Instead, I contemplated what I wanted to do when we reached her apartment.

She started up the stairs but then stopped and turned. “I had fun tonight.”

“I’m glad,” I said automatically. “I did too.”

“I’d invite you up, but… I don’t trust myself. Besides, I don’t want to seem like a tease.”

I felt a spark of frustration but smothered it before it flared into resentment. Terri didn’t owe me a thing, no matter what the little head thought.

“I don’t want a one-night stand, either,” she added.

“It doesn’t have to be.”

“I’m leaving on Saturday. You’ll be gone all summer.”

“So? I’ll be back.”

“We can’t. Not tonight.”

“What about my present?”

She frowned but then understood. “You can unwrap me some other time. I promise, you’ll see them again.”

“When?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “After the summer, if you’re still interested.”

“I’m interested now,” I said, a little churlishly.

“I am too. That’s why I can’t invite you up. One thing’ll lead to another, and we’ll end up in bed.”

“So? That’s the point, isn’t it?”

“Maybe. But what happens then?” She waited for an answer I didn’t have. “I’ve thought about this a lot,” she continued. “I don’t mind if we keep it casual, but I’ll go crazy over the summer if we have sex tonight and can’t do it again for… what? Three months?”

“I’ll be back before then,” I insisted, “to check on the house.”

“Once a month? Twice? So… what? We’d see each other every two weeks? Now who’s the tease?”

That punctured my ego balloon.

“Mmm hmm.” She ducked to look into my eyes. “I want to have sex with you. You know I do. But not when it’s one night. I mean, you can’t expect to start something and then put it on hold for three months. Besides, it’s your birthday! You have an entire party waiting for you at home. Did you expect a quickie or something?”

“No, you’re right.”

“I still owe you a birthday present. And, if you’re lucky, maybe a birthday blowjob.”

“I’d like that.”

“Me too.”

I looked up hopefully.

“Not tonight,” she laughed, soft and rich. “Sorry. But… sometime. If you’re still interested.”

“Oh, I’ll be interested.”

“I know. Me too.” She paused and then grinned. “So you’ll think of me? Over the summer?”

“You know I will. Especially the part about your gag reflex.”

She grinned. “I thought you’d like that. I’ll think of you too. I have lots of sexy things I want to do to you.”

My eyebrows shot up.

“I said I’m not a prude.”

“Then… I want you to do something for me.”

“Maybe. It depends.”

“Shave your pussy.”

It was her turn to look surprised. Then she frowned. “Why?”

“Because I like it.”

“I keep it neat for my leotard,” she hedged. “And it’s pretty sparse down there already.”

“I don’t care. I like it smooth.”

“That’s a new one.”

“You’ll understand when you see mine,” I said.

Her eyebrows flew up again. “You mean—? You shave? Down there?”

“Completely.”

“Okay. Not what I’d imagined.”

I shrugged.

“No, I think it’s cool,” she said quickly. “It’s kinda sexy, now that I think about it.” After a moment she grinned. “I thought I was gonna leave you wanting more.”

“We can still go upstairs,” I suggested, but she knew I was bluffing.

“We should say goodnight. And goodbye. But only till September.”

“Only till September,” I agreed.

“And then… who knows?”

I nodded and leaned in for a goodnight kiss. I kept it chaste, but she sighed when I pulled back.

“We’re making the right decision,” she said.

“Are you talking to me or yourself?”

“Both!” She kissed me again. “Now go. Before I change my mind and drag you upstairs anyway.”

“I’ll wait till you get inside.”

“Always the gentleman.” She smiled, but it was a little sad.

I watched her climb the stairs and waited until she unlocked her door. Then she waved goodbye and disappeared from my life.

Forever? I wondered. Who knows?

* * *

The party was still going when I returned. I thought back to Christy’s birthday, when I’d come home to a quiet house. Part of me felt like so much had changed since then, but it hadn’t. Not really. I’d been horny and a little frustrated then, too. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I snorted a laugh and closed the front door behind me. Rosemary was asleep on the couch in the living room. Everyone else had moved to the dining room. Dex sat there with a vacant expression, but the others were talking. They’d also been doing shots. The bottle of Crown Royal stood empty and forgotten at the end of the table.

“Ay, it’s the birthday boy!” Freddie called when he saw me. “Welcome back!”

Christy seemed a little disappointed, but only because she knew why I’d returned so quickly.

Is everything all right? she asked with a look.

I nodded. I’ll tell you later.

She rose and gave me a kiss.

“So,” Wren said, “did ya get a piece?”

“A piece of what?” I asked disingenuously.

“Terri. That little tram—?”

“Who wants another shot?” Christy blurted.

“Hey, did you jus’—”

“I’d love one,” I said.

“Yeah, shots,” Freddie chimed in.

Nikki nodded drunkenly. “Hard core! Le’s do it.”

Wren frowned and tried to figure out how the conversation had gotten away from her.

“Only… um… we might’ve finished your birthday bottle,” Christy said with a guilty wince. She looked so cute that I forgot about Wren entirely.

“It’s okay,” I laughed. “We have some Jameson in the cupboard.”

“Oh, come on, not that Irish crap,” Trip complained. “Wha’s wrong with Jack?”

“Nothing,” I said to keep the peace.

“Bottle’s in my office,” he added.

I returned with it and poured six shots. We drank, and Christy visibly relaxed as her supercharged metabolism absorbed the alcohol.

“I know!” Wren said out of the blue. “Le’s play Strip Poker!”

“Yeah, poker!” Freddie said immediately.

“Hard core,” Nikki agreed.

I wasn’t sure either of them could see the cards, much less play an actual game.

“Let’s do another shot first,” Christy said.

“Yeah, shots!”

“Hard core.”

Everyone was drunk already, and another round seemed like overkill. But Christy implored me with a look, so I poured.

“T’ th’ birthday boy!” Freddie toasted.

He and Christy downed theirs. Wren mechanically tossed hers back. Nikki sipped hers almost delicately, while Trip simply stared at his. The first shot had just started to work on my system, so I drank the second and felt a warm glow spread through me.

Dex snapped back to consciousness at that point. He’d never really been unconscious, but more like suspended animation.

“What’d I miss?” he asked.

“Um… nothing?” I said. “You want a shot?”

“God, no. Just the bathroom.” He rose and headed toward the kitchen.

The party wound down pretty quickly after that. Trip spread his palms on the table and had a staring contest with his untouched shot.

“I win,” he said at last. “Time f’r bed. You comin’?”

“Me?” Wren said blankly. “But…? What about…?” She looked at Christy and then me.

“Le’s go,” Trip insisted.

She was so drunk that she didn’t argue.

“G’night,” he told the group. “Thanks f’r comin’. An’ happy—” He swallowed a burp. “Birthday.”

“Thanks.”

He gestured to Wren and supported her as they walked very deliberately toward the stairs.

“What’d I miss?” Dex said from the door to the kitchen. He surveyed the room. “Uh-oh. Time for us to go?”

I felt a sense of whiplash at his sudden transformation, from oblivious to observant.

He helped Nikki stand. “C’mon, it’s late. Let’s get you home.”

“You gonna spen’ the night?” she asked.

“If you want.”

“I want.”

Christy and I exchanged a look. She rose and followed them out, while I tried to decide what to do with Freddie and Rosemary. She was still asleep on the couch, and he was far too drunk to walk home.

“Come on,” I said to him at last, “you can spend the night in the spare bedroom.”

“You’re my bes’ friend,” he said. “You know tha’?”

“Yeah, Freddie, I do. And you’re mine.” It was a little white lie, but a harmless one.

“Hold on. Where’s Rose?”

“On the couch.”

“I don’ think I c’n carry her.”

“I’ll do it,” I told him. “Can you walk on your own?”

“Fuggedaboutit.”

Christy returned. “Lean on me, Freddie,” she told him. She slid an arm around his waist and helped him up the stairs.

I tried to wake Rosemary, but she was out. I picked her up and carried her instead. She’d taken off her shoes downstairs, so I simply laid her in the bed next to Freddie.

“You need anything before we go?” I asked him.

“Nah. We’re good. Happy New Year!”

“New Year’s in January,” I chuckled.

“Wha’ever. G’night.”

I nodded, turned off the light, and closed the door. I barely had a chance to turn around before Christy hugged me.

I returned it and kissed the top of her head. “Everything okay?”

“It is now.”

We held each other in silence until she sighed.

“Snack before bed?” I suggested.

“Stupid metabolism,” she grumbled. “Yes, please.” She thought about it. “Only, let me take my dress off first. It itches.”

“You go get comfortable,” I told her. “I’ll make a snack and be right back.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.” I headed downstairs.

The house was a bit of a mess, but it would keep. The kitchen was less of a disaster than I’d feared. Someone had cleaned up and taken out the trash. The same someone—Dex?—had put the leftover pizza in the fridge. I grabbed a piece and ate it while I made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for Christy.

I was still hungry, so I loaded a tray with her sandwich and a plate of cold pizza for myself. Then I added an apple, a knife, and a couple of glasses of water. I headed upstairs and turned off lights as I went.

Christy was wearing one of my polo shirts from the hamper. She finished brushing her hair and tucked it behind her ears. Her eyes lit up when she saw the food.

“Ooh, pizza, yum!”

I chuckled and set the tray on the bed.

She crawled around it and sat seiza-style. “How’d you know this was what I wanted?”

“I know you,” I fibbed.

“Mmm, you do.”

I ate the sandwich while she polished off both pieces of pizza, crusts and all. Then she eyed the apple.

“Is that for me?”

“No, it’s for the Tooth Fairy,” I teased. “Oh, boy. Now I sound like your brother.”

“Which one? Never mind, it doesn’t matter. I love them all.” She glanced at the apple again. Then she eyed the knife.

“Insistent little thing, aren’t you.”

“I need my energy. I still need to give you your real birthday present.” She beamed for a moment before her expression fell. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out with Terri. I thought… well… you know what I thought.”

I shrugged.

“I told her it was okay and everything.” She sighed and made a Christy-leap. “I wish she was more like me. I could totally fall for her. Oh, Paul,” she complained, “why’m I like this? Why can’t I be normal?”

I fed her a slice of apple and said, “I’ve wondered the same thing. About myself. Sometimes I wish I could be happy with just one woman. Don’t get me wrong,” I added quickly, “I’m very happy with you. But then… why’m I chasing Terri so hard?”

“It’s my fault. I know you can’t turn her bi just by seducing her. I still want you to try, but…” She shrugged. “I guess I’m just being selfish. Like I was with the birth control pills.”

My eyebrows rose with a question.

“I’ve only been on them a month, but I can’t imagine going back to the old way.” She shot me a guilty look. “I hated my little calendar. I had to count the days and do the math, like, fifty times before I was happy. And even then, I worried all the time.”

She thought about it and sighed. “I’m just not ready. To get married and have children, I mean. I know that’s what I’m supposed to want, but I don’t. Marianne thinks I’m crazy, but Lynne understands. She wanted a career too. Did you know she has a master’s degree? In International Affairs. From George Washington. University, I mean.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“She’s smarter than Brooke. Well, smarter in a different way. But most people think she’s just a wife and mother. James wants her to go back to work, but she doesn’t want to. Not till John starts school. Did you know he got a vasectomy? James, I mean. Not John. Oh my gosh, listen to me! I’m all over the place tonight. You probably think I’m crazy.”

“No,” I chuckled, “just full of energy.”

“Anyway, what were we talking about? Oh, right, Terri. I’m sorry nothing happened. It’s probably for the best, though. You saw Wren. Ugh! She gets like that sometimes. Jealous, I mean. Only, I think it’s ’cause she wants to be in charge. Well, you’re my boyfriend, darn it! I get to say who you sleep with.”

“Yes, dear,” I said with a barely suppressed grin.

“Ha ha, very funny.”

“Is that why you were trying to get her drunk tonight?”

Christy’s eyes widened.

“Yeah, I figured it out,” I said.

“It wasn’t her.”

“You wanna tell me about it?”

“Can I finish the apple first?”

“Sure.” I cut another slice.

She nibbled and then grinned. “Too bad I don’t have any penis butter.”

“Later. First, tell me what’s going on with Wren.”

“Fine, Mr. Persistent. Huh. Do you know that Dalí painting? The one with the melty clocks?”

“Mmm hmm.”

“It’s called The Persistence of Memory. I dunno why I just thought of that.”

“Because you’re trying to change the subject.” I fed her another slice.

She pretended to glare.

“So… Wren?”

“Oh, all right. If you insist. And if you must know, I was trying to get Trip drunk.”

“Trip? Why him? Never mind, I think I know.”

“Mmm hmm, exactly. He’s been hinting all week. The usual. He’s been nicer about it lately, but he still thinks I should jump at the chance to sleep with him. Wren sort of makes it worse. She tells him all these stories about me being a nympho. But she doesn’t understand that I’m only a nympho for certain people. One, really. Well, two.”

“Me and her?”

“No, Brooke.”

“Really? Not Wren?”

“Oh my gosh, no! I love her, but…” She thought about it and shrugged. “I have limits with her. I don’t with you and Brooke.”

“For real?”

“I’ll do anything for you. You know that. The same with Brooke. But not Wren.” She sighed. “I’m eventually going to have to make up my mind with Trip. He isn’t as bad as Will, but he’s still a jerk sometimes, especially when he’s been drinking. You heard him tonight, with the whiskey.”

“Yeah.”

“He could’ve just said no. But instead, he had to trash me and my whole family.”

“I don’t think he meant it that way,” I said, “but I get it.”

“Will was a chauvinist. Trip is just thoughtless. And arrogant. I don’t mind that—my whole family’s like him—but I can’t stand when he takes me for granted.” She fell silent and ate the last of the apple. “I don’t know what I’m going to do,” she sulked. “And it isn’t fair to Wren. I can’t keep getting her drunk just because I don’t wanna have sex with Trip.” She looked up. “You won’t make me, will you?”

“No, of course not!”

“Thank you.” She turned thoughtful again. “I still wanna do things with him,” she said. “Just… not that. And I think he’s one of those guys who’ll get upset if I don’t go all the way.”

I wasn’t so sure, but she needed support instead of an argument. “Do you want me to talk to him?”

“Oh my gosh, no! Please! Then they’ll both hate me.”

“They won’t hate you.”

“I know, but…” She sighed. “I’ll figure it out.”

I lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “We’ll figure it out.”

“Thank you.” She ventured a smile, although it didn’t last.

“What’s the matter now?”

“I ruined your birthday.”

“Actually, you ruined the day after my birthday.”

“Funny, ha ha. But you know what I mean.”

“You didn’t ruin anything. As a matter of fact, this is the best birthday I’ve ever had.”

“Now I know you’re lying.”

“No, I’ll prove it to you.”

“How?”

“With the Rod of Truth.”

“Excuse me?”

“The Rod of Truth,” I repeated. “If it goes soft, I’m lying. If it stays hard and shoots, I must be telling the truth.”

“Oh, boy. And you expect me to believe that?”

“Of course! Haven’t you heard of ‘Truth Serum’? Where d’you think it comes from?”

“From the Rod of Truth?”

“Exactly!”

“And where are we supposed to put this Rod?”

“Here, I’ll show you.”