Page 39 of Make It Last

He nodded, and I think he understood what I meant.

“I would try to fake that, and I’m terrible at faking.”

Tanner was quiet before he finally said, “I’m really sorry that was your experience.”

“So, you see, if I’d been better at it, he probably wouldn’t have cheated on me.”

“Oh, no, no, no. You don’t even get to go there.” Tanner’s tone was firm, almost authoritative.”

“What do you mean, I don’t get to go there?”

“Sex is not a performance. I guess unless you’re a porn star—I have no judgment against porn stars, I want to clarify—but, you know, they’re doing a job. That’s different. But oh my God, no.” He shook his head firmly.

Even though I should’ve been mortified that I just told Tanner all that, I wasn’t. Because it felt like he genuinely didn’t judge me.

“I don’t know your ex, but that seems like a shitty way to handle a situation.”

A massive sigh gusted out of me, almost as if I’d been holding it for years. “I never told anyone this.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Really.”

Tanner paused, as if considering his words. “I’m not saying everybody’s going to be compatible. But that’s not the way to go about it.”

“Oh,” I said slowly, sinking back into the couch cushions. The familiar tight, almost knotted feeling I experienced when it came to even thinking about sex actually loosened a little. “We’re not going to have sex tonight,” I announced.

“We could kiss again, though,” he said, his lips twitching at the corners.

“Tanner.” I wagged my finger at him. “Don’t mess with me.”

“I’m not.”

“You’re a supportive guy.”

Impulsively, I leaned over and squeezed his knee. “I like how you’re just, like, so accepting.”

He shrugged. “If you wanted to kiss me again, we could do that. But no matter what, whether you kiss me again or never, I’m here to tell you sex doesn’t have to be like sports analysis.” He shook his head, seriously looking horrified at that prospect.

As I held his gaze, it felt like sparks were shimmering around us. The space felt loaded, the quiet burgeoning.

“I like you, Tanner,” I said softly, feeling a rush of affection mingling with intense desire.

“Well, I like you too, Ava,” he said simply.

I cleared my throat, narrowing my eyes at him. “Also, you’re not boring.”

He chuckled. “I appreciate your perspective on that.”

“It’s a fact,” I insisted.

“If you say so,” he teased lightly.

“I do. I know what I’m talking about, Tanner.”

His low laugh sent goose bumps rising over my skin. I startled myself again. “I have a proposition.”

“A proposition?” he teased, cocking his head to the side.