Page 74 of The Upgrade

“Oh my God.” Camille’s laughing so hard she wipes tears from her eyes. “I can’t believe you had two insanely hot men at your mercy and you asked them to playcribbage.”

Sara angles the phone so they’re centered. They’re huddled together at our usual table at Olive or Twist. “I can’t believe a sex resort’s yacht even had a cribbage set.”

“Maybe people play strip cribbage?” I sip my mojito, waving away the shirtless waiter intent on bringing a refill. “Want to know the wild part?”

Camille snorts. “I thought thatwasthe wild part.”

“I hadfun. Playing games instead of?—”

“Building the beast with two backs?” Sara giggles and Camille looks proud. It’s not often our younger, more sheltered friend makes a sex joke.

“I don’t know,” I muse. “Maybe I needed a break.”

“Makes sense,” Camille says. “A woman can’t live on sex alone, though trying sounds fun.”

“And it has been.” But maybe the takeaway here is that Idoneed an emotional connection to sexual partners. Go figure. “We’ve been talking about me for too long. What’s new with you guys?”

“Well.” Sara’s biting her lip, restraining a smile that’s poised to explode. “Trent proposed.”

“Holy shit, girl!” I shriek so loudly I scare a green parrot from the tree beside me.

“Oh, honey—congratulations.” Camille squeezes her tightly as a pink stain paints Sara’s cheeks. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Why the hell didn’t you lead with that?” I feel like a heel, though I’m thrilled for her. “You let me blather on about my day when you’reengaged?”

“I like the element of surprise.” Sara smiles sweetly. “Guess I’m a sucker for delayed gratification.”

“No joke.” Camille sits back with a chuckle. “See also why she’s a twenty-three-year-old virgin.”

“Facts.” Still beaming, Sara delivers the full story. There’s a candlelight dinner and a heartfelt speech prepared by her hot Navy SEAL sweetheart. By the end of it, Camille and I are both bawling.

“So beautiful.” I sniffle and Sara obligingly flashes the ring again, but that’s not what I meant. “I’m glad Trent made it so special for you. I’m thrilled for you guys. Truly.”

Camille nods her agreement. “You got yourself a good one, Sar.”

“Thanks.” She nibbles her lip and looks at me. “You’re not upset?”

“Upset?” How could she think that? “Why would I be upset?”

She’s fizzing with happiness, but her pretty brown eyes look troubled. “After what happened with Brock, and then how you’ve sworn off marriage . . . ” She pauses and shrugs. “I thought it might bother you seeing me head down the traditional path.”

“Honey.” My God, she’s so sweet. “One of my best friends in the world is getting exactly what she’s wanted for ages. I’m thrilled for you!” I mean that from the bottom of my heart. “You’ve talked about marrying Trent since I’ve known you.”

“Friends support friends no matter what.” Camille slips an arm around her. “We’re all allowed to make different choices.”

“I know, you’re right.” Sara’s smile wobbles a little. “Actually, there’s more.”

“More than the proposal?”

She nods and picks at a hangnail. “After he asked me to marry him, I told Trent I’d changed my mind about saving myself for marriage. I said we should just go ahead and do it. Only he saidnobecause we’ve already waited so long and?—”

“Wait, really?” This is huge.

Even Camille looks stunned. “Nice job asking for what you want, Sar.”

“Thanks.” She looks so squirmy and uncomfortable. Can’t say I blame her. It sucks to be turned down.

“What prompted your change of heart?” I probe gently.

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