Page 104 of Can't Get Enough

“Ohhhh, you actually did,” Soledad says. “I was at Hen’s helping her choose a dress for the party and we decided maybe she should give Maverick a chance since he came over to her house and they dry-humped on the couch.”

“What?” Yasmen’s eyes saucer on-screen. “And I’m just now hearing about this?”

“Okay, sorry,” I say. “There’s been a lot going on. Maverick was in town and expressed a desire to… pursue something.”

“And then came the humping,” Soledad inserts helpfully.

“Sol!” Yasmen and I laughingly say in unison.

“Sorry.” She has the decency to look contrite, though she’s fighting a smile.

“Where does Zere fit in this equation?” Yasmen asks.

“Did you see the post with her new boyfriend?” Sol demands. “Zere’s moved on. So can Maverick.”

“Okay, I saw that,” Yasmen concedes. “I know Maverick is the total package, but it’s still complicated. Weareacknowledging that, right?”

“Howishis package, by the way?” Sol asks with a mischievous grin. “Did you find out last night?”

“Sol! Oh, my God,” Yasmen squeaks, but then pauses. “I mean… Did you?”

“Let’s just say,” I offer, tongue in my cheek, “I have no complaints.”

“Youhave no complaints?” Soledad practically screams. “Hen, you always have complaints. The guy’s got ashy ankles, or he used the word ‘conversating.’”

“Remember the one she wouldn’t give a second date because he carried his own toothpicks?” Yasmen adds.

“Toothpicks!” I try to hold on to my straight face, but my lips twitch. “Now y’all know that’s some serial killer behavior.”

“I’m just saying it’s always something with you,” Yasmen continues. “So no complaints… Wow.”

I chuckle and shrug. “I’m not saying Maverick is perfect, but he feels…”

Perfect for me.

I don’t say it, but maybe something on my face does because both of their smiles dissolve. Never in the time they’ve known me have I asked for this kind of advice. I’ve never needed it. Wasn’t even tempted to go this far with anyone. They both sought counsel on love, and I never held back the best advice I could offer. Now I need them to do the same for me.

“He wants us to spend the next week together at his house in Malibu,” I say. “Before I have to go to my mom’s when Aunt Geneva has her surgery.”

Both of their jaws unhinge and fall open.

“I know.” I chew my thumbnail. “It’s a lot and it’s fast.”

“Does it feel too fast?” Yasmen asks. “You have always had the best gut instincts of us all, Hen. You know yourself. What does your gut say?”

I’m almost afraid to voice what I feel at a molecular level is the right thing for me to do. Not for Zere. Not for Chapel. Not for my business. Forme. Maverick feels right for me and it is absolutely terrifying.

“Go,” I whisper. “My gut says go.”

“Then you go,” Soledad says, “but mitigate the fallout. You gotta talk to Zere before it goes any further.”

“I know.” I huff out a sigh and search their faces. “Did I break girl code?”

“The technicalities of whether or not you broke some unspoken code won’t matter if Zere is hurt or angry,” Yasmen says, sympathy in her expression. “You have to be prepared for the fact that she may see this as a betrayal, even thoughtechnicallyit’s not. It won’t matter if you win on a technicality if she no longer feels she can work with you because you’re dating her ex-boyfriend.”

Dating? Shit. I’m ’bout to be dating?

“Are you prepared for that?” Yasmen presses.

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