How can I be this attracted to a man I barely know? It was insta-lust for me the first day I saw him. I'm not this attracted to Mike and he's my boyfriend. I'm a bad person. Who feels that way about their own boyfriend? Or am I attracted to Luke because he's unattainable?
Did I date a guy platonically for two years because it was safe? I'm not a risk-taker. I'm good. I never wanted to be my mother. I never wanted to derail my life with an unplanned pregnancy and burden my grandparents with another infant they didn’t plan for.
I know my grandfather worked longer than he would have if they hadn't had to raise me. And they've put off retiring to Florida for too long, wanting to be nearby while I went to college. I finally convinced them to list the house once I entered my senior year at the university a few weeks ago.
I haven't lived at home for more than a few weeks during the summer since high school, but they never wanted me to feel like I had no place to go back to. I had to promise them that if I didn't find a job after college that afforded a decent apartment, I'd come to Florida and stay with them. And they refuse to look at anything in Florida that doesn't have room for me, even if I only stay there a few nights a year.
I make it to the Hymer building early for my next class. I'm debating whether I want to wait inside or out when Everly exits the building. We don't usually cross paths at Hymer on Tuesdays, but I am early.
"Hey, bitch, did you get laid at the doctor's office? You look different."
I roll my eyes at Everly.
"What?”
"Lukesagynecologist."
"What?" Everly tilts her head like I'm talking crazy.
"Luke is a gynecologist. At the student health clinic."
"Shut the fuck up." I think I've managed to shock Everly. "I did not see this coming." She looks at me. "So?"
"So?" I ask.
"So you rescheduled the appointment with another doctor?"
"No. I kept the appointment."
"You kinky bitch, you did not! Stop it."
"I did. I was already sitting on the exam table wearing a paper gown when he walked in. What was I supposed to do?"
"Was it good for you?" She grins at me suggestively.
"Everly!"
"Bitch, I know you enjoyed it. At least a little."
"You think there's something wrong with me, don't you?"
"Sophie, no. That guy has no business being a gynecologist. It's not fair to women."
"I think he's technically an obstetrician."
"Same difference."
"The nurse said he runs a department at the hospital.”
"Well done, Sophie. When you crush, you crush classy."
"Ugh." I cringe. "That reminds me. Do you keep your socks on during a gynecologist exam?"
"Off. So, did you get your prescription?"
"Yeah." I nod. "And a bag full of condoms." I pat my backpack.
"Aww. Dr. Luke cares about your safety."
"You understand I am never waiting on him again, right?"
"Oh, yeah. I figured that out about thirty seconds into this conversation."
"What are you doing on this side of campus anyway? You don't have a class in the Hymer building, do you?"
Everly snorts. "Extra credit."
I groan. "I'm not even gonna ask."
She adjusts her backpack over her shoulder and grins at me. "Your virgin ears couldn't handle it anyway. I gotta run, Sophie. I can't miss my next class. See you on Thursday!"
"Wait, why will you see me on Thursday?" I ask, confused.
"Your waxing appointment!" she calls out as she walks away. "I decided to escort you there myself. Otherwise you won't go."
I'm walking backwards towards the building as Everly shouts directions to meet her in the lobby of my dorm on Thursday when I collide with a muscular wall.
"Oomph."
"Oh, I'm sorry! I wasn't—" I turn around and see Mike grinning at me. "Oh, it's you." I laugh, relieved.
Mike wraps his arms around me and nuzzles my neck. "What's this about a waxing appointment?" he murmurs into my ear.
I guess my vagina is an open topic today. Viva la vagina.
Mike stands several inches taller than me, but not so tall that I can't press up on my toes and kiss him, which I do now, looping my arms around his neck. His sandy brown hair is messy and needs a cut. "Can you get your room to yourself on Saturday night?"
His eyes light up. "Yeah?"
"Yes," I state firmly.
He slides his hands into the back pockets of my jeans. "I can get my room to ourselves right now."
I laugh and slip out of his arms. "Saturday," I say. "I've got to get to class. Besides, I still need to get that wax you're so nosy about." I smile and start backing towards the building.