Page 48 of Practice Makes Perfect
“All clear,” Linc announces in a theatrical whisper that’s definitely louder than necessary. He steps into the hallway, gesturing for me to follow.
“I CAN HEAR YOU!” Lea’s voice rings out from somewhere in our dorm, making us both jump.
Linc’s eyes widen comically. “So much for stealth,” he murmurs. Then louder, “Bye, Lea!”
“BYE!” comes the response, though I detect a hint of laughter underneath the indignation.
A mortified giggle escapes me. “This is the most embarrassing moment of my life. And that includes the time I threw up on my middle school crush.”
Linc makes a sympathetic face. “I’m guessing that relationship didn’t work out?”
“Shockingly, no.” I lean against the door frame, suddenly not wanting him to leave despite the disaster we’ve just experienced. “So… um…”
“Next time,” he says, voice dropping lower, “maybe we should do this at my place instead? Mike’s hardly ever home these days, and he knows how to knock.”
Relief washes over me. He still wants there to be a next time.
“Smart,” I agree. “And I’ll have a talk with Lea about knocking. And also maybe about not traumatizing my sex coach with unexpected appearances.”
He grins. “Sex coach? Is that my official title now?”
“Would you prefer ‘Orgasm Optimization Specialist’? ‘Director of Intimate Studies’?” I tap my chin thoughtfully. “I could make you business cards.”
“I’ll stick with Linc.” He laughs, then glances toward the front door. “I should probably go.”
“Right. Yes.”
We stand awkwardly for a moment, caught in that strange space between intimacy and formality. I’m not sure what the protocol is here. A hug feels too intimate after what we were just doing, but a handshake would be ridiculous given he had his mouth on my breast five minutes ago.
Linc solves the dilemma by leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to my cheek. “You did great today,” he murmurs.
The simple praise makes something warm bloom in my chest. I beam at him, feeling disproportionately pleased. “Thanks.”
“Text me,” he says as he backs toward the front door.
“I will.”
After Linc leaves, I stand in the hallway for a moment, touching the spot on my cheek where his lips were. Then I square my shoulders and head to the kitchen, where I know Lea is waiting. Sure enough, she’s leaning against the counter, arms crossed, staring at me with wide eyes.
Her mouth opens and closes twice before she finally speaks. “So,” she says, drawing out the word.
“I was going to tell you,” I say quickly. “It just… happened kind of fast.”
“I’d say!” Lea raises her eyebrows. “One minute you’re swearing off athletes, the next you’ve got one in your bed.”
“It’s not what it looks like.”
She gives me a flat look. “Em, I saw his face between your?—”
“OK, it’s exactly what it looks like,” I interrupt, heat rushing to my face. “But there’s context!”
Lea’s expression shifts from shock to something closer to hurt. “Have you two been seeing each other this whole time? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“What? No!” I lean against the counter across from her. “God, no. It’s not like that!”
“Then what is it like? Because from where I was standing—which was unfortunately your doorway—it looked pretty intimate.”
I sigh and slide down to sit on the kitchen floor, my back against the cabinets. After a moment, Lea joins me, our shoulders touching as we sit side by side in the rather odd position.
