As soon as Sue Mary walked way, Lori leaned in.
"Are you going to tell me what's been going on? It seemed too sudden. All of the Girls are talking about how you left Luketon high, dry, and naked at his house on Friday."
"That's not what happened."
"You know how everyone talks, and, well, Jesse has only added fuel to the fire. She's been a little moody lately. That, combined with rumors of you, well, you can only imagine."
"Maybe she's menstruating. You know how she turns into an uber bitch whenever the aunt is in town."
"This is different. It's so bad. She is being anal about everything, so much so that even Finnley stopped staying at the house. Oh God, and don't even get me started on the rules. She has become fucking militant."
The reason he stopped staying there was because of me, but I couldn't tell her that, at least not yet.
"Is that even possible?"
"Bet your ass it is."
We poured the rest of the pitcher in our glasses and sipped.
"So are you going to tell me what really happened, or are you going to pretend Jesse's story is the truth?"
Damn her. I tried to smother a smile, but I wasn't that good at holding my emotions around her. The Elite never taught me to keep the truth from my friends, only from the men I went on dates with.
"You're right. I'm not a virgin anymore, but only me and two other people know that… plus you, so keep it a secret."
"I knew that already, continue." She interlocked her fingers, placed them under her chin, and smiled. "Let me guess. You and Luke made up and went wild and crazy with one another once you left The Elite? He's sexy, Jenn. I wouldn't blame you at all."
My smile faded, and she stopped gushing over Luketon Brand, the nicest guy on the planet. With an incredulous smirk, she glared.
"No fucking way."
I didn't know if she really knew, but judging by her reaction, I had a feeling she did.
"Finnley fucking Felton took your virginity."
Yep, she knew.
My face went red, and I downed my cheap champagne and orange juice mixture. After I composed myself, I smiled.
"I wanted to put out and he wanted to put in. What can I say?"
"You…are…the queen. I'm actually speechless, like I don't even know what to say right now. He has never slept with one of his Girls. Ever. I mean, many of us would love to do that but no one has broken through Finnley's thick ass wall. Oh. My. God."
I bit my lip and smothered my excitement. Lady Luck fucking loved me!
"I have to hear this story from beginning to end, like right now."
Sue Mary refilled our mega strong mimosas when she delivered our food. There was no way in hell I would get out of telling this story before we left. I gently cleared my throat and started from the beginning.
"It happened on Friday night. Luke was about to finalize the deal… like we were in the act, and Finnley busted through the door. He demanded I leave with him."
She gasped. "Like a knight in shining armor?"
"Not quite. More like an asshole there to ruin my night of fun. And I was so pissed, like I wanted to throttle him. He made me leave, and when we got back to the house, no one was home. I sat outside on the patio, then got in the hot tub. Minutes later, he joined me."
"No way."
"Yep. Then I slapped him in the face because I was so angry with him for playing with my emotions and barging in on Luke and me. I cannot tell you the last time I was that pissed."
"You did not slap Felton in the face."
"Yep, and I would do it again. He deserved it. I wasn't his plaything. Oh, and by the way, did you know that he and Luketon are brothers?"
"No fucking way. The accent. How can so much hotness be in one family? Oh my. The way they act toward one another makes sense now." Lori shook her head in disbelief.
"So after I slapped the shit out of him, I took a shower and crawled into bed."
"And he crawled in with you?"
"Not quite. He walked into the room and asked me if I loved Luke."
"Do you?"
"No. I don't think it is love like that. I care for him, but I don't think he could ultimately make me happy. I mean, I imagined at one point that he could. But no."
"It's because he's not Felton."
I hated to admit it, but that was exactly why. If I would have never met Finnley, then I think Luke and I would have had some sort of a chance. But if we were talking about "would haves" then the whole scenario would be different.
"Finnley drives me insane. Sometimes I hate him, but then I find myself still wanting him even after I've had him."
"But that smart ass mouth of his can be so… scratch that, he is total sex on legs even with that mouth and attitude," Lori said.
"I know, right. Well, after I denied my love for Luke, the next thing I knew I was being pinned against a wall. Finn kissed me, and then I was in his room."
"He doesn't allow anyone in there."
"I know."
"So how was it?" She smiled the whole time.
"Magical. Emotional. No words can fully describe it."
"So how big…" Lori stopped talking, and I stretched my hands across the table.
"No fucking way. I don’t believe you."
"I swear. I couldn’t lie about that. Trust me."
"Well no wonder why he can be such an asshole and why women gravitate toward him. That man has the whole package."
We both took small nibbles from our sandwiches.
"Oh, and after all of that, he fired me."
"Wow. Fired for fucking your boss. You are so scandalous, Miss Downs."
"Learned from the best."
"Jesse is so damn wrong. I love knowing this. It's hilarious."
"Please don't tell anyone. It needs to stay private before she tracks me down and threatens to kill me or something."
"Your secret is safe with me. You don't even have to ask," Lori said.
"And that's why I love you."
We finished eating, and she filled me in on the house rumors, the multiple dates she's been juggling, shopping, and her Number One. She continued talking about the new diamond necklace she received, dinner parties, and the upcoming match ceremonies.
"Do you think you and your John will ever be anything more? Do you love him?"
"I enjoy being with him, and the sex is nice, but it's not love Jennifer. What you feel for Felton, that's love. The way your face lights up and the way you glow after being with him, that's real and not everyone feels that. I've been with The Elite for almost a year, and in my world, love doesn't exist. You're lucky, you know. Some people wait their entire life to find someone that makes them feel complete. Looks like Lady Luck is on your side, after all. And well, you won the jackpot with Finn."
"You are always so poetic with your words. It's a nice thought, but I'm not sure it's love."
"Felton would have never fired you if it weren't. He may prohibit love, but he isn't immune to it."
Sue Mary cleared our plates, and we paid our ticket. As always, we left a one hundred dollar tip under our plates and exited. The temperature had dropped, and although it was still in the mid-fifties, it was cold.
"I want to bring you somewhere. I think it's time."
"Where?"
"It's a surprise." She unlocked the BMW. I moved inside and admired the soft leather, the large GPS, and the black interior. Damn I needed a new car.
When Lori pulled into The Fun Store, I blushed.
"You'll be biting your lip before it's all said and done," she said, and got out of the car. Of course I followed her. I had no choice.
We walked past costumes, magazines, and DVDs. Lori led me to the back room where there were colorful toys in all different shapes and sizes: large, extra-large, egg-shaped, flat, and the list went on. The cheesy slogans cracked me up, and I couldn't stop giggling.