“Well, two of them, anyway. There are heaps out there, Libs. I’m currently in conversation with Kurt, Lachlan, Spencer, Luca and Ben, and I’m meeting Todd and Andrew for coffee on the weekend. And you’ll be proud of me.” Alice winked. “I have it all color coded on Google Calendar.”

Libby laughed. “You either take ages to decide something or you jump right in.”

“Oh, and I’m also having sex with Dan van den Berg. But twin blood promise, you can’t tell anyone and that includes Mom and Dad.”

“Oh my God!” Libby stared at her, openmouthed. “You and Dan the man? Alice, you know he’s more likely to give you an STD than a marriage proposal. Not that I’m recommending marriage at the moment, but he’s not even a medium-term proposition.”

Alice’s head tilted and she pursed her lips. “Give me some credit. It’s the off- season in a small town so we’ve struck a deal, including all the healthy precautions. Sex and fun until one of us meets someone.”

Libby was trying to wrap her head around this information. “I—um—you … Is it fun?”

“So much fun! And believe me, Dan knows what he’s doing. It’s pretty good.”

A complicated feeling that lurched between happiness for Alice and envy for herself unsettled Libby. “Only pretty good?”

Alice’s cheeks pinked. “The thing is, I’ve been a bit um, tender down there.”

“It sounds like too much sex or not enough foreplay.”

“No, it’s neither of those things. Like I said, Dan knows what he’s doing and we usually only get together once a week, occasionally twice. We’re using condoms and plenty of lube but … I dunno, I can’t explain it.”

“Maybe it’s because you’re not a couple and there’s no future in it. Your body’s telling you that.”

Alice’s brows shot up. “I can’t believe the scientist just said that. Lust is lust and me and my body definitely enjoy most of it.”

“Sorry. What I mean is, what’s your mind saying?”

“It’s saying I deserve to have some fun while I’m searching for The One. Dan’s great about making sure I come and he’s a much better lover than Lawrence or Geoff ever were and I never had this issue with them. Right now, we’re limited to one position, because all the others are uncomfortable. You’re the doctor. What do you think’s causing it?”

Libby ran through the usual suspects. “If you’re sure you’re aroused and well lubricated then it could be any number of things, including low level yeast infection. How about I write you a referral to Lacey Chu? She’s my OBGYN and she’s great.”

“Any tips while I’m waiting to get an appointment?”