Honestly, this thing with Aleck isn’t a thing really. It’s a blip, a hiccup, bad judgment on my part. It’s going nowhere, so letting my friends in on the tea party would only make more work for me when I convince them it was only about getting off. Which I did and more intensely than I ever have before.

“I was telling Dottie we should kidnap Sondra the minute she checks in for a spa day so she can detox,” Keith says.

“Oh my gosh, yes. She would love that. Plus, I could use a massage,” I say before casually lifting my phone to respond to Aleck.

Me: One is the no sleeping together rule. What’s the second?

Aleck: The no repeats rule.

Me: Of course you have a no repeats rule. Cue the eye roll. Anyway, you only went down on me. No sex. Can’t repeat something that never happened.

Aleck: I want to eat your ass next.

I snort a laugh, causing Dottie and Keith to bring their attention back to me. “Sorry…” I gesture to my phone. “Trish, a work friend. She’s hilarious.”

Me: Why do you sleep with AirPods?

Aleck: I dream. They’re not enjoyable. Music helps keep them away.

Me: Is that why you don’t sleep next to anyone?

Aleck: Yes and no. Are you going to let me eat your ass or not?

Me: Goodnight, Aleck.

Aleck: Is that a no?

Four minutes later…

Aleck: Message received. One day, though, that ass is mine. Goodnight, Winter.

For a minute, I actually consider making a pitstop at Aleck’s room before retiring to my own. Then I realize, that is a terrible idea. This thing needs to end. I feel bad that the oral will never be reciprocated for all of three seconds before I realize women have been giving without receiving since the beginning of time. In the name of women everywhere I’ll happily call it quits without giving. I almost owe it to them.

This thing with Aleck Fox is toast.

TWELVE

WINTER

Stepping out of the shower, I grab a towel as the sound of my phone vibrating against the wood of my nightstand tells me someone is calling. I jog to my phone dripping wet and see Sondra’s name across the screen.

“Hey you…” I answer.

“Win.” She sighs dramatically. “I miss you, darling.” Her tone is void of the usual spark Sondra delivers in just about everything she does.

“I miss you too. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything is fine. I’m just kind of bummed, you know? This whole week you and I were supposed to have us time. This was supposed to be our last couple of weeks together before I become a married woman and everything changes.”

“Everything will not change. I’m so sorry this has happened. But hey, we’ll still have our time together after you get married, okay? Your life will just become fuller. Nothing will take you away from me. This isn’t goodbye.”

“You’re right. I’m just being dramatic. We’ll still have weekend getaways and girls’ nights. I just wish I could kidnap Preston and drive to the resort already. His family is so overbearing. His Aunt Fanny said ‘Make sure you give him oral copulation often or his eyes will wander.’ And yes, that’s her real goddamn name. Under any other circumstances, I’d be tickled, but this one’s a real bitch.”