Page 85 of Let's Kiss and Tell

“Well,that,but also, I don’t know, your voice feels different. It’s like…” Shanna drifts off.

“It’s like what?” Jonah raises an eyebrow.

“It’s going to sound bad,” Shanna winces.

“Okay, well now youhaveto tell me!” I say.

“You seem reallyhappy!” Shanna says as delicately as possible. “Not that you don’t normally, but it just feels different in a good way!”

My cheeks start to feel a little warmer. “I am happy.”

Aisha nudges me not so subtly. “So, who’s the guy?!”

“Oh, uh…” My eyes briefly land on Marsh’s, and he looks down at his beer. “He’s just a guy.”

“Ha,” Aisha says. “From what I’m reading, he’s notjust a guy.”

“Maybe some things Lucy needs to save for the articles,” Jonah chimes in, for which I’m relieved.

“Are you going to write about the sex?” Shanna asks and Marsh starts coughing.

I shift. “I think I need to give some privacy to my boyfriend.”

“No, totally,” Aisha agrees. “But if you’re connecting with this guy on an emotional level, I can’t imagine how good the sex must be.”

“You know”—Jonah looks at me, the wheels spinning—“itwouldmake for good content…”

I think about the other day in the car. Marsh whispering the dirtiest things in my ear and how I haven’t felt that level of desire in…possibly ever. I’ve been with men who have satisfied my needs sexually. They’re good at sex and they know it. But with Marsh, it’s almost like anything erotic, we’re doing ittogether.It’s a journey with the two of us; we’re on the same page, exploring what the other person wants and needs instead of justdoingthe tried things from before. Pushing all the right buttons, touching all the right spots, saying all the right things. It feels more exciting with Marsh.

For the first time in my life, I don’t want to kiss and tell.

“In a surprising turn of events, I am actually not going to talk about my sex life tonight,” I say regretfully.

“She’s a new woman.” Shanna laughs and clinks her beer bottle to mine.

Aisha then leans into the group, her voice lower. “Okay, so I’ve been dying to ask…Has anyone heard anything about layoffs?”

The word causes my breath to shake. My eyes quickly scan everyone else’s, desperate to find a hint of insight.

“There are layoffs coming?” Sam asks.

“They’ve been saying that for the past year,” Jonah adds, trying to put Sam at ease.

“Yeah, and you didn’t hear it from me…but Bridget in payroll said it’s coming at the end of the year,” Aisha says. “Before anyone gets their bonuses.”

“They can’t do that!” Shanna counters.

“I think they can do whatever they want,” Aisha says regretfully. “Because they’re a corporation and don’t care.”

We all are stumped and stunned into silence.

“Nowhere is safe,” Sam groans. “We should’ve all become doctors.”

“I don’t even know if that would help.” Marsh lets out an exhausted scoff. “Everyone is getting hit.”

“Well then, I’m buying everyone a round of shots to celebrate the start of a recession.” Sam smacks the table and then Shanna follows him toward the bar to help.

After our depressing cheers, the conversation transitions into separate chats around the table. I especially clock an obvious connection between Shanna and Sam. I’ve seen her laugh too hard at his jokes and touch his arm way too many times in the last thirty minutes. Jonah and I grab one last round of beers before happy hour is over and find a spot outside, away from everyone.