Page 10 of Giddy-Up
“I’ve never had a boyfriend.”Riley was getting good at this conversation stuff.She was sticking to the same subject.Sharing personal details.Having a back and forth.The authors of the books she’d read would be proud.
“Okay,” Bella said slowly.“I take it that’s why you want to know how many relationships Wade has been in?”
Riley nodded before taking a big sip of her soda.
“Right,” Bella continued.“Well, y’know,technically, before I got with Luke, I’d never had a boyfriend either.”
No.Fucking.Way.
“What?”There was no way in hell that Riley was hiding the shock on her face.
Another giggle escaped her shiny lips.“Yep.It’s true.I’d dated, not much though, definitely less than five guys!But I’d never been anyone’s girlfriend before...not until Luke.”
Oh.Riley slumped back into her squeaky seat.It wasn’t the same.She’d dated.Of course she’d dated before.What kind of freak hasn’t dated anyone by the time they reached thirty years old.
You.
Obviously, apart from her.
Clearly sensing her disappointment, Bella went on to ask what was wrong.Something Riley didn’t want to answer, but she had no choice.She was well aware that conversations didn’t just end abruptly, they had to naturally segue to a new topic.And this wasn’t exactly segue material.
“I’ve not dated either,” she replied.
Bella also wasn’t good at hiding her shock.So at least they had that in common.
“No one?Ever?”
“No.”
“Does that mean...that you’ve never, uh, you’ve never—”
Riley took pity on her and shook her head in reply.Leading to more creases on Bella’s brow.
“What about kissing, you must have kissed someone before?”
She could feel heat rising up her neck.The gravity of what she’d just shared was starting to kick in.
Oh, no.What if she tells Wade?
“Please don’t tell Wade,” she blurted.
To her relief, Bella began shaking her head.“Of course I won’t.That’s not my story to share.”Thank God.“But, y’know, if you guys do getintimate, then it’s probably better to tell him beforehand.”
The idea of getting intimate with Wade really wasn’t helping her flush that had now spread to her cheeks.It made her think back to yesterday, and the words he’d whispered into her ear.Take you to bed.She could still feel his warm breath and recall the shiver that went all the way down to her toes.She’d decided right then and there that was exactly what she wanted too.For Wade Evans to take her to bed.All she had to do was not fuck up tonight’s date and any others that came after.
Yeah.You need help.Like, you really need help.
“Uh, Bella?”
“Yes, honey?”
“Do you think you could help me, and like, teach me?”
“Teach you what?”
“How to date.What to wear, what to say.Sex.Everything.”
Bella looked like she was about to hurl, which was unfortunate because their food had just arrived and was being placed in front of them.It was only after the waitress left that her new friend spoke again.
