Page 95 of The Upgrade

“Then you’re the reason she’s happy, dumbass. The reason Eve sounds like the very best version of Eve lately.”

I’m not sure I believe that, but it feels good to hear it. “Thank you.” Squeezing my eyes shut, I summon the courage to say the rest. “I’m falling in love with your friend.”

“I’m not even a little surprised.”

“Really?” Because I kinda am.

“Yeah.” She’s quiet a moment. “It’s not the best timing, and I’ll kill you if you break her heart. I’ll also kill her if she breaks your heart?—”

“Can we quit with the killing, please?”

“Fine.” She takes a deep breath. “You’re both adults. Knowing you both like I do, I can see why you make sense together.”

“Thanks.” My throat pinches tight and I swallow. “You’re a pretty great sister, you know?”

“Of course I know.” She laughs. “Now go fuck my best friend senseless.”

CHAPTER15

EVE

My last couple days at Crystal Bliss fly by in a blur of warm sun, delicious food, new friendships, and heavy petting.

What? I’m not sitting around waiting for Kit Plier to decide he might want me. Been there, done that, lost my shirt on an asshole fiancé who cheated and didn’t deserve my affection.

I’m not saying I’ve gone around shagging anything that moves. Technically, I haven’t had penetrative sex with anyone. I wasn’t feeling the connections, I guess.

But I did rediscover the thrill of the hour-long makeout session with a sweet, brown-eyed consort from Brazil. Then Paolo from Colombia treated me to what the Crystal Bliss app calls Backseat Bonanza—a chance to recreate a high school dry humping scenario in a classic Chevy Caprice. We fondled and fumbled on the stain-resistant, upholstered bench seat of a shiny red sedan parked at the edge of the beach.

It was fun. It was thrilling and a little bit silly. It was freeing to savor the experience without a creepy stepdad tapping the window to tell me I’m grounded and need to get homeright now, young lady.

Despite all my newfound fun, nothing felt quite like it did with Kit. That soul-deep connection, that feeling of being trulyseen—well, I know I can’t expect that all the time.

Doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy being groped by handsome men whose names I’ll forget by next month.

And now I’m ready for the grand finale. The Devil’s Threesome, which I’ve learned is what MFM three-ways are dubbed. The Crystal Bliss app calls it the Sexy Seesaw, but I still think of it as the Double Dip.

Thanks for that, Kit.

At breakfast this morning, I ran into Logan. I tried to play it cool, but I’m guessing he saw all my nervous energy. “Have you picked the other guy?”

“I have.” He gave me a look I couldn’t quite read. “I think you’ll like him.”

That’s…promising. “And you?” I pressed. “You’re sure you’re okay getting naked with me, or with what it entails to?—”

“Rub my dick on another dude’s junk?” Logan grinned.

“Um, yes, well.” Heat crept into my cheeks. “Just making sure you’re comfortable.”

I’ll probably never kick that habit.

“Go eat breakfast, Eve.” Still grinning, he turned me around by the shoulders, pointing me toward the gourmet buffet. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

So here I am now, dressed in my favorite black panties and bra, with a black jersey dress that’s flatteringly ruched up one side. The neckline dips low, exposing the tops of my breasts. I feel sexy and anxious and a little bit sick to my stomach.

I’m doing this. I’m scared and I’m doing it anyway.

There’s a knock at the door and I take a deep breath. The clock by the bed tells me Logan is ten minutes early. That’s fine. I’ve been ready for nearly an hour and I’m eager to get this party started.

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