Page 50 of Penalty Kick

“So, what are you thinking? Is he it, so to speak? Are you thinking you’re ready?”

That’s the million dollar question, isn’t it…

“I don’t know. Yes, I think he’s the one who will stamp my V-card. I…I want him to be at least. As for when…” Talia shrugged. That was one thing she was still unsure about. “I guess I’ll know when I know?”

“You will. Don’t force anything, just let it happen naturally. Oh, my baby’s growing up,” Felicity said in a sing-songy voice that made Talia recoil.

“Don’t start that.”

“Do we need to have the safe sex talk?” she joked.

“Safe sex talk?” Avery squealed, appearing out of nowhere. “OMG, are you and Dash having sex?!”

“A little louder, Avery, I don’t think they heard you on the moon!” Talia hissed.

“Sit,” Felicity followed up, tapping the empty stool next to her.

“Sorry, wasn’t trying to announce your business,” Avery said, her voice much smaller this time. “I just didn’t realize that you two were there.”

“We’re not. And not to change the subject, but what are you doing here by yourself?”

“Liam and Dash are having a man date, and I wasn’t sure how late you were working, so I figured I’d come grab dinner.”

A man date. Talia couldn’t help but laugh at Avery’s term, while at the same time wondering what they were going to talk about on said man date. Liam was like her brother, so certainly he didn’t want to know too many details about what went on between her and Dash, right? Shaking her head, she told herself she was being crazy. They were dudes, not gossipy old ladies. They were going to talk football and beer, not their love lives. She hoped.

“Don’t look now, ladies,” Heather said, walking toward them. “But two very sexy gentlemen just walked in and are sitting by the big screen.”

All three of them twisted to try and catch a glimpse of who Heather was talking about. They were at a funny angle and the dining room was packed, making it hard to see.

“Why are you looking, newlywed?” Heather commented, smacking Felicity with the menus she was holding.

“I can’t look at hot guys now?” Felicity quipped.

“Not ones whose paychecks you sign.”

“Oh.” Felicity scrunched her face in disappointment, turning back to her drink.

“Anyway, back to the whole safe sex thing, there are condoms in the top of my nightstand if you ever need them,” Avery offered.

“You just said both sex and condoms in the same sentence. Who are you?” Talia sassed, knowing what a big step that was for her roommate. For as smart and professional as the little redhead was, the topic of sex still made her blush. Which made Talia laugh every time.

“I am a doctor. I can say all kinds of words!”

“Yeah? So you can also talk about using those condoms? You two break the bed again or was it just that once?”

A pale shade of pink crept over Avery’s face as she squirmed in her seat. “It was just the once and that was because I assembled it wrong, thank-you-very-much.”

“Right.”

“Hey, sorry to interrupt,” Link said, leaning in between Avery and Felicity. “Table 26 ordered a pair of Tricky Lickys, with the request that they be delivered by the cute bartender and you.” He twisted his head, giving Avery a pointed look.

“Me?” Avery exclaimed.

Hopping off her stool, Felicity winked at them, peering around the corner to get a better look. Spinning back around on her heel, the coy smile taking over her face was unmistakable.

“I think the man date might be turning into a double date,” she said. Talia let out a huff—something that was a cross between a laugh and a sigh. Of course it was Dash and Liam.

“I’m working.”