Page 62 of Tell Me Something

“Tampons. Happy now?” I flushed three shades.

He made it worse with his next question. “You started your period tonight?”

“Ugh, yes, and I really don’t want to discuss this at all.”

He only chuckled. “I was married, so it’s not like I’m unfamiliar with a woman’s menstrual cycle. It doesn’t embarrass me at all.”

“Well, that makes one of us.” My eyes focused on my feet.

He lifted my chin. “Haylee, it’s natural.”

I groaned, thinking this conversation was anything but natural and wanted to pull away, but he wouldn’t let me.

“I want you to feel comfortable with me, even about this. How are you feeling? Are you cramping?”

“God, this is way too personal.”

He dipped his head and kissed me. “I want to be personal with you.”

I felt my stomach flutter at that statement.

“Come on, I’ll draw you a bath.”

I hesitated. “Josh, I don’t—I mean I can’t, you know, right now…”

“It’s not all about the sex. Come on, let’s get a bath started. My room has a huge soaking tub.”

He took my hand and led me through his room and into his large bathroom. He started the water and put one of the towels on the warming rack. “Not sure how safe these things are, but I like the idea of one.”

I liked the idea of a toasty towel as well and sighed at the sight of the large jetted tub. A warm bath would feel like heaven.

“Did you take anything: ibuprofen, Tylenol?”

“Uh, no. I didn’t think to buy any, but I managed to grab chocolate.”

He smiled and made short work of rounding up two pills and a glass of water for me. “Here, they will help you sleep better.”

After undressing, I tossed them back and settled into the tub. My eyes opened when I heard the water splash.

He was getting in with me. “Scoot up so that I can get behind you.”

I did as requested and then lay back on his chest.

“Catherine adored you. Must have been some ladies’ room conversation.” He soaped up my shoulders and massaged them.

“I genuinely liked her, too. She has an enthusiasm and sincerity that’s refreshing.”

He paused and then rubbed down my arms. “Funny, she said essentially the same thing about you. She’s excited about having a twenty-something-year-old friend in the city.”

I laughed. “Yeah, well I’m pretty boring, so if she’s looking to party it up, she might be disappointed.”

“Probably for the best. Her divorce has done a number on her self-esteem and the last thing she needs is to go wild and crazy. She’s a professional woman who needs to remember she could easily become Page Six news.”

“So you guys are friends?”

He reached around and started washing my breasts. “Yes, we’re friends.”

I sensed that wasn’t the whole story. “But she would like to be more?”