Page 130 of Two-Step
“No. No boyfriend. No girlfriend.” She smiles. “I love that you asked, but I’m not bi.”
No boyfriend. I’m hit with so many questions. “But you’ve—You weren’t—” I unconsciously scan the length of her still-naked body, heart in my throat. “You weren’t a virgin, right?”
Good God, did I hurt her? I wasn’t careful. I should have—
“Oh, no.” She shakes her head briskly. “No, that V-card was lost long ago.”
Now I’m wondering who took it if it wasn’t a boyfriend. Was he an asshole? Didhehurt her?
“But—”
“I’ve had two one-time things.” Her words come out in a rush like she wants to say them and be done. “I’m not proud of that. And I seriously skipped over some developmental milestones by working all the time and doing high school online. So that means I…”
She frowns and locks eyes with mine, her own full of worry and doubt.
“I don’t know how to… be with someone.... like that.”
I run a hand up her back and over her shoulder before gently kneading her muscles. “And that worries you?”
She nods frantically.
I grin. “You know, there isn’t a rule book,” I say, meaning to soothe her.
Her brows draw together. “I wish there were. I’m a fast reader.”
Laughter shakes from me. “People just make it up as they go along. I think that’s more fun.”
Her frown doesn’t ease. She stares at me for a long time, and I think she’s debating her next words.
“What?” I prod.
Her lips pinch together. “Do you think… Do you think it’s bad that I’ve never been in a relationship with the guys I’ve slept with.”
“No.”
An expression I can’t name—maybe it’s regret; maybe something else—passes over her face. When she speaks, her voice is soft and so fragile, I’m afraid it’ll break.
“After today, I think it is.”
Is she ashamed? God, she shouldn’t feel ashamed. “Iris, I’ve had one-night stands, too. It’s not a big deal.”
She shakes her head, but she’s wearing a pained smile. “That’s what I mean. Those other times weren’t a big deal, but this—”
She halts herself and draws her lips between her teeth like she’s said too much.
And it hits me, what she’s been driving at this whole time. I’m such an idiot.
Gently, I cup her chin, holding her gaze with mine. “This is nothing like those other times.”
Her eyelids flutter. “No.”
A slow smile conquers my lips. “Iris?”
“Yeah?”
Now I’m smiling full strength. “Would you be my girlfriend?”
A giggle escapes her. “Yes.” She giggles again. “Oh, wow.” She moves in and covers me with laughing kisses. “Oh. My. God. I have a boyfriend.”
