Page 40 of Hot As Ice

Becca reconsiders, looking thoughtful. “I mean, I might. If he’s hot.” She giggles. “Does that make me bad?”

I grin. “I don’t know.”

She shrugs. “Whatever. If he was hot and I enjoyed it, then sure, pay me. Who am I to say no? I’ve done more for less. I’ve had really bad sex in the past. For free!”

We both burst out laughing.

“I wouldn’t tell anyone, though,” she adds. “I don’t need anybody’s judgment.”

“I would never judge you,” I tell her.

“Thank you. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do in this capitalist hellscape.” She sips her drink. “Although I don’t know why I’m talking about it as if I’m doing it.”

“’Cause I put the idea in your head,” I say.

“Yeah, you naughty girl. Now you got me thinking about it. I might add it to my masturbation fantasy rotation.”

I cover my mouth with my hand to hold in my laughter. Becca grins. “The starring roles played by me and Jamie West,” she says.

“He’s super cute,” I agree.

“I love seeing him in his hockey uniform. They have another home game this coming week. We’re going, right?”

I nod. “For sure.”

She beams at me. “I love having a new partner to go to hockey games with. Even though she’s keeping secrets from me.”

“What?” I nearly drop my fork. “No, I’m not.” A wave of heat goes through me. Does she know something? There’s no way.

“Well, you disappeared with Hunter at the club the other night. He dragged you away like a caveman. I kept waiting for you to say something about it, but you still haven’t.” She raises her eyebrows, giving me a pointed look.

I stab at the tomatoes and cucumbers in my salad, feeling called out. And guilty. “We made out in the men’s restroom,” I mumble.

“What?!” Becca shrieks.

“Oh my god, be quiet,” I say, looking around. Luckily, none of the other restaurant patrons seem to be paying attention.

“You made out in the men’s bathroom?” Becca whispers fiercely.

I nod.

“In one of the stalls?”

I nod again.

“Wow.” Becca sits back in her chair, fanning her face. “That’s hot.”

“You can’t tell anybody,” I beg her.

“Of course not, silly. I would never. Cross my heart and hope to die.” She stirs her iced coffee with her straw. “But what I’m wondering is, why you want to keep this thing a secret.”

“I mean, I’m not really. I just don’t know what this thing even is.” Is it a situationship? I guess so. What do you call something that has you getting paid to have sex with someone you would totally be with for free? Christ, if Becca knew about the arrangement I have with Hunter, she would freak. Would she still want to be my friend? Or think I’m a slut and stay away from me?

“Have you slept with him?” she asks.

My first instinct is to say no, but I think my face gives it away. I nod.

“I knew it,” she says calmly. “And it was your first time, wasn’t it?”