Page 22 of Magically Generated
Aimee gave her a withering look.
Nora sighed.She considered bringing up the library book, but in all honesty, that wasn’t the main reason for her bad mood.“The guy across the hall from me.His name is Everett.I ran into him when I went to see the first snow sculpture—you know, the one that I assumed was AI?Anyway, we’ve been spending time together ever since.”
“‘Spending time together.’”Aimee used air quotes.
“We went to see the other snow sculptures.”
“That sounds very cute,” Aimee said.“Wholesome.I can’t believe you actually saw them all.”
“Yes.Well.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying the season, rather than punishing yourself with a second job.”
“I wasn’t punishing myself,” Nora said.“I was making back the money I’d lost.”
“But I suspect that wasn’t the only reason, and I was afraid you’d get a retail job again this December, even though you’ve earned back all the money.Instead, you’re seeing Everett.”Aimee’s voice was gentle.“What happened with him?”
Nora didn’t mention the time he’d collapsed in the hallway.“We made out on Sunday.It was…well, it was good.Then hecomplimentedme.”
“Was there something wrong with the compliment?”
“No.I just…” Nora looked down at the giant ice cube in her drink.“I freaked out and left.Because suddenly…I couldn’t help wondering what he wanted from me.How he might try to manipulate me.”
“Nora…” Aimee reached over and patted her shoulder.
“He hasn’t done anything to warrant that response.He’s been sweet and not at all pushy, but I haven’t known him that long.Like, I’ve lived across from him for two years, but we barely spoke until this month, and I’m a terrible judge of character.”
“One mistake doesn’t make you a terrible judge of character.”
“But that was one very big mistake!”She couldn’t forgive herself for falling for a scam.Her, of all people.Even in the midst of her grief, she should have known better.“Anyway, Everett’s not like him, but I can’t help worrying.I…”
She trailed off as “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” started playing.She hated this song.
“Right,” she said.“What was I saying?Oh yes, it was the first time I’d made out with someone since Samuel, and Samuel—if that was even his real name—was always very complimentary.Overly so, in retrospect.I thought he’d just fallen hard, but of course, that wasn’t the case.It was silly to believe someone could genuinely say those things about me.”
“Well, first of all, that’s not true.You’re hot.Plus, you’re kind and supportive and adorably bad-tempered.”
Nora snorted.
“So, Everett paid you a single compliment while you were making out…”
“And I couldn’t trust it.Yeah.”Nora shook her head.“I don’t know what I was thinking.I swore I wouldn’t get involved with anyone again, and here I am.”
“Did you really think you’d swear it off forever?”
“Yes,” Nora said.“I did.But he was like…thawing my soul, or some such nonsense.I wanted things that I hadn’t wanted in a long time.”
Which was what had gotten her into trouble two and a half years ago, that craving for a connection.Loneliness could be a dangerous feeling; she should have known better than to act on it.
“Physical things?”Aimee asked.“Or other things?”
Nora froze—but in a different way from the other night.
Her friend had made a good point.Nora had been thinking of sex and romance as intertwined because that was how it had always worked for her in the past.
But why did it have to be that way?Maybe she and Everett could just have something physical.She could have a little fun and get it out of her system.It wasn’t completely risk-free, but she’d make sure that Aimee knew where she was.There was nothing wrong with having a few orgasms that weren’t thanks to her vibrator or her fingers.She could keep those high barriers around her heart firmly in place.
If Everett complimented her again—though he might be afraid to do so—she’d assume his motive was to get in her pants.Something she wanted as well.
