I didn’t want in on the conversation. I didn’t even want to be in the same state as they talked about me or my dating life.

“I think Reese needs to find herself a nice Christian who can make her feel good about herself and her decisions.”

“No.” Hailey drummed her fingernails on the desk. “That’s a terrible idea. You’re eighteen. You have to live. Don’t settle for safe and boring.”

“I think Rory would love for Reese to settle for that,” Fisher added.

“No. Just … no. Reese, listen to me. You won’t regret the bad decisions you make now. You’ll only regret the missed opportunities to make mistakes and live. You don’t need a good guy to give you a home and needy kids. You need a string of bad guys to give you experience. You’ll never know what you do want in life until you experience everything you don’t want in life.”

“Said no mother ever.” Fisher shook his head.

“Mothers are hardwired to protect their offspring. If you want advice on canning or ironing, ask your mom. If you want advice on being a woman ... a free-spirited woman … then don’t ever ask your mom. Well …” Hailey tapped her chin with her finger. “Come to think of it, you could probably ask Rory. She’s cooler than most moms.”

I glance up at her. “Why do you say that?”

“Just because.”

Fisher cleared his throat. “Clock out, Hailey. Have a good night.”

“Are you dismissing me? I feel dismissed. Are you shooing me out of here so you can give Reese some lame advice on dating because Rory’s made you feel protective of her?”

“Yes. Leave so I can give her some lame advice.” Fisher closed the folder and tossed it onto the desk next to my piles of papers.

“Don’t listen to him, Reese. Call me later.” Hailey hiked her purse onto her shoulder.

I nodded, giving her a tight grin.

After the door closed behind her, Fisher used his leg to swivel the desk chair so I was facing him. “Who are you dating?”

“No one.” I gave him two full seconds of my gaze before averting it to the side.

“So why are you talking to Hailey about it?”

“None of your business.”

“Am I the guy?”

“There is no guy.”

“Yet, you’re talking to Hailey about a guy.”

“Oh my gosh!” I skittered to my feet to wheel the chair backward a good six feet, hitting the front of Hailey’s desk. “I wasn’t asking her about dating. I was asking her about sex. There. Are you happy?”

“Why not ask me about it?”

With an incredulous laugh, I shook my head. “Sorry. What was I thinking? I’m sure you’re experienced with how it feels to have a penis in your vagina. Does it hurt the first time?”