Page 76 of Now to Forever

I brave a look at him, and he smiles, and it’s so kind and so gentle I wish I had a camera to take a picture of it. “Well, Scotty,” he says, “I’ve missed you for twenty years.”

Same.

Scotty

Remember that no-touch orgasm I told you about?

June

With the octopus guy in your weird books?

Octoman.

Whatever.

Ford came over last night . . .

Stop.

And he got me to scream his name without even touching the devil’s doorbell.

STOP!

He’s filthier than I remember . . .

TMI. We have to name it!

Octogasm

Too fishy.

MONSTERGASM!

Tell Campy to whisper dirty words in your ear then breathe on your nipples. Monstergasms are better than showergasms.

Wow.

But I did good on that name, right?

Almost as good as Ford did with the execution.

Gag.

Twenty-Six

“What’sgoingon?”Wrendrops her bike and eyes my athletic clothes as I stand on the porch. Between the loud buzz of power tools, a crew of men shout instructions as they carry kitchen cabinets into the house. “Why do you look like that?”

“We’re getting fit.” I thrust the bag I’m holding toward her. “There’s nothing to do inside, this dog hates me, and I read exercise might help. Your shrink told you the same thing. Go figure.”

She frowns. “Do I have a choice?”

“Sure,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “Do you want to tell your dad about your little love marks or should I?”

She rolls her eyes—much more pronounced now that they aren’t surrounded by black. “You’re the worst.”

“I know I’m not.” I smile with all my teeth. “Go get changed.”

When she emerges, she’s unexpectedly beautiful. Her hair is pulled up in a ponytail, showcasing the soft features of her face and a kidney bean–shaped birthmark below her left ear I’ve neverseen. The navy-blue long-sleeve shirt makes her big blue eyes pop, and she’s significantly more approachable in tennis shoes versus her usual combat boots. Molly on a leash, we take off at a jog.

---