Page 95 of Press Play

“What’s the point of underwear if you’re going to take it off anyway?” she whispers, her eyes catching mine.

My chest tightens a little, but I laugh it off, tossing the panties into the cart when she isn’t looking.

As she turns her head, I catch a glimpse of her profile, the way her lashes cast delicate shadows on her cheeks, and the slight flush that colors her face when I brush close. A smirk plays on my lips—she thinks I don’t notice, but I see every little flicker of desire she tries to hide. It makes me wonder how I missed it before.

Watching her scan the pharmacy shelves, dropping bottle after bottle into the cart, a mix of pride and protectiveness settles in my chest. This woman—my woman, finally—is the same girl I met in WoSaF all those years ago. I used to think we’d never make it here, that I’d always be her friend, the one standing in the wings. Now, I’m the one by her side. It doesn’t matter if she’s picking out meds or... something more interesting.

It hits me out of nowhere how deeply I need this. Her. And not just in bed, but right here, laughing over her allergy meds and dodging my suggestions about lingerie.

“Are you stocking an underground pharmacy?” I tease.

“Theo, I’m a woman who is constantly sick. I require more over-the-counter medications than I can list.”

“Then why are we walking down the family planning aisle? Are you forgetting to tell me something?”

We come to a stop, and she turns toward me. “I’m going to put something in the cart, and you’re not going to say anything.”

“If you’re buying a pregnancy test—” A box clatters against the metal framework, and I grin. “That isnota pregnancy test.”

“Don’t.” She threatens me, holding up a finger.

My chest brushes against her arm as I lean in to whisper, “Are you going to let me use that on you? I’d love to play with you again.”

“I told you not to say anything,” she snickers as I kiss her blushed cheek.

“How am I not supposed to say anything when my fine-ass girlfriend puts a vibrator in her shopping cart?” I drop my hands to her waist, turning her so our lips graze. “Tell me.”

“This is why I suggested you stay home,” she rasps as I toy with, teasing her with a kiss.

“Why would I leave my gorgeous woman all by herself? I have to ensure no one eyes you up.”

“No one is eyeing me up.” She swats me on the chest.

“I am.” My voice drops an octave as I stare into her gold-flecked, hazel eyes. “I always am. . . always was.”

When Wren and I first met in WoSaF, I was attracted to her personality. I had a vague sense of what she looked like. We shared descriptors but never pictures. I didn’t know someone could be so genuine and kind. Or that someone like her would want to be my friend.

We spent endless summer nights together. I can’t count the number of times she made me smile or laugh simply because it’s too many to count. The girl who approached me after Mr. Hansberry called out our names was thin and pale, but when she smiled, I couldn’t stop myself from returning the gesture. Depression pressed down on me, but she was a ray of light that broke through my clouds. It started when we met, and it hasn’t let up yet.

“And don’t tell me I wasn’t,” I murmur.

With a soft smile, she wraps her arms around my neck and embraces me. “You’re too good to be true.”

My heart swells, and I hold her tighter. “Come on.” I step back and kiss her forehead. “The sooner we get home, the sooner we can break your new toy in.”

“Well, isn’t this a predicament,” I say.

“I didn’t know it was going to rain today.” Wren purses her lips.

Sheets of rain pummel down from swollen storm clouds. The sky is pitch black, and the pitter-patter of rain against the store’s roof is soothing.

“Are we going to have to run? I don’t want to get wet,” my girl groans.

The corners of my lips turn up, and she cuts me off as I open my mouth. “Don’t you dare.”

“Oh, come on, you walked straight into it! How can I not?”

With rosy cheeks, she shakes her head and gathers the bags. “All right, let’s get this over with.”

---