Page 61 of Reluctant Chemistry

“Good. But we missed you.”

“Yeah, but you know, work and all that.”

“Luka was there.”

Molly fell silent on the other end of the phone, as if waiting for CeCe to elaborate.

“I got a little drunk and danced barefoot on the lawn while he watched from the shadows of the veranda,” she continued.

“Sounds kind of romantic for a tomboy like you.”

“What? I am not a tomboy. I’m a sophisticated grown-ass woman.”

“Where was his girlfriend while you put on this little show?”

“I didn’t ask. Anyway, nothing happened. He walked me home, and when we reached the packing shed, I said goodnight and went inside. Alone.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously. Even if Luka were single, I wouldn’t have slept with him. Inappropriate much.”

“Yeah, sorry. But Tayla did say they were on and off. So if hewassingle, would you want to go there again? Hypothetically speaking, of course. Reunion sex is the best.”

CeCe didn’t know about that. Apart from that final time with Luka, she’d never had reunion sex. But then, the night they had sex in her bedroom was definitely one to remember.“First, it’s a moot point, and second, single or not, I’m far too busy for a complication like Luka right now. He’s staying in the past, where he belongs. Besides, imagine what Dad would say if he found out Luka even walked me home.”

“CeCe, you’re an adult. It’s time Uncle Frank kept his opinions to himself. Also, if you’re too busy to spend a few hours having sex with a hottie—and I don’t necessarily mean Luka O’Leary—your work-life balance is seriously out of whack.”

“Well, as soon as I launch the label, I’ll take a break. I might even fly up to Auckland, so we can do dinner. What do you think?”

“Sounds good. But don’t leave it too long to get back on that horse, hon. It’s way overdue.”

“Yeah, but my life’s a lot less complicated without a man in it.”

“Speaking of,” Molly whispered, “my latest complication just turned off the shower. Talk soon.”

“I thought you said he stood you up.”

“That was last week’s guy, I’ve moved on since then. See ya.”

Standing at the kitchen sink a few minutes later, a glass of orange juice in one hand, and two pain killers in the other, CeCe contemplated Molly’s words. Celibacy had never been a conscious choice; it was more a subtle reaction to meeting one too many bland men at university. Men who kissed with too much tongue, texted way too much, and wouldn’t recognize a G-spot even if signposted from the waist down. She downed the pills and sighed. Luka knew a thing or two about G-spots. In fact, Luka knew a lot about sex.

Lucky Annabelle Sutton.

The sound of her phone’s text alert lifted her from her thoughts.

Jaz:We’re going to HOTY next Saturday. Keen?

CeCe:HOTY? Is that some kind of male review strip show?

Jaz:I wish! Horse of the Year. It’s our first adventure since lockdown.

CeCe:And is that what they actually call it? HOTY?

Jaz:Depends who you’re talking to…and who’s in the saddle. *wink, wink*.

CeCe chewed her lip while considering her co-worker’s invitation. She loved watching equestrian events on TV but had never been to a live show. It was about time she tried something different.

CeCe:I’d love to.

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