Chapter Fifteen

LILY

 

Lily wasn’t usually one to kiss and tell, but this time she wanted to talk about her catch-up with Parker for no real reason. She just felt compelled to. She arranged to meet Maree for dinner on the Saturday. When Maree breezed in, they ordered their dinner and settled in for an evening catch-up.

“I feel like I haven’t seen you for ages. Any news?”

Maree shook her head. “Not really. I’m not dating anyone at the moment. Work’s been super busy, but I’m going to try for a holiday once the school holidays are finished. I don’t want to travel with all the families.” She screwed up her face.

“I’m counting down til the school holidays, although I’ll be working some of it anyway.”

“Are you doing anything fun?”

Lily shook her head. “Not anything remarkable, I don’t think. It’ll just be nice to have a change in pace.” Lily and Maree’s friendship had commenced long before Lily became a mother, but it hadn’t been impacted by parenting. They didn’t catch up frequently, and rarely included Bodhi and Scott in their catch-ups.

“So neither of us have news. How dull.”

Lily knew there was a twinkle in her eye as she grinned. “I didn’t say I didn’t have news.”

Maree raised an eyebrow. “Do tell.”

“I’m seeing someone.”

This was a turnaround for the books. Maree was always full of dating and fling stories, but Lily never had anything much to share. Sure, she’d tried to date a couple of times after Megan, but it hadn’t worked out, and Maree certainly wouldn’t have been expecting this news. She looked intrigued, so Lily continued. “We’re not a couple. I still don’t feel ready for a life partner.”

“Who said anything about life partner?” Maree was clearly amused. “Are you shagging her?”

Lily nodded slowly. “That’s about it, though. A friends with benefits arrangement.”

“Right.” Maree’s forehead creased in confusion. “How do you know her?”

Lily blushed and bit her lip, buying herself some time. She wondered whether to mention meeting her last year, or the fact that she was Bodhi’s teacher, or both. In the end, she told her that she was Bodhi’s teacher. This titillated Maree.

“Wow! How does that happen?”

Lily blushed. “Let’s just say we had some unfinished business.” Maree looked baffled and had questions for Lily, so she finally explained that she was the woman she’d ‘hooked up’ with the year prior.

“Oh, wow. Seriously?”

Lily nodded in response. “And…last night we used a strap on. It was my first time.”

Maree grinned. She loved sex talk, but Lily never usually shared anything. “Mmm?”

Lily shrugged. “It was incredible. I felt so close to her. I can’t believe I’ve never done that before. What do you think of it?” Lily was certain Maree had mentioned using one before. Plus, Maree, being Maree, had tried everything.

Maree shook her head. “It isn’t for me, actually. Not my idea of a good time. I don’t love it. Many other things I’d rather do.”

Lily nodded. “Fair enough.”

She was a little surprised, and that must have shown to Maree because Maree felt the need to justify herself. “I’ve tried it a few times, with a few different people, so it’s not just a one-off. And you know I’m not a prude.”

“I absolutely know you’re not a prude!”

“I just prefer fingers and tongues to toys…” Maree justified.

“It’s okay. All I’m saying is it was hot. In my case.”

“So, is it just physical stuff? You and this woman? Hot physical stuff?” Maree grinned but was clearly curious.

Lily shrugged and the confusion was apparent on her face. “I don’t know. In theory, yes. In reality, we seem to have feelings, and I don’t want them.” Lily was letting down her guard about this in a way she hadn’t ever done with anyone. Maree was thoughtful enough to not try to encourage her to just go for it like others might. A look crossed her face, and Lily wondered what it meant. Did Maree think she should go for it? Or was Maree surprised it had even got this far? After all, Maree had known how devastated she had been when Megan died.

“Ugh, you probably think I’m awful.”

Maree was surprised by this. “Hey, you know I think pleasure in life is underrated, not overrated. If you’re enjoying being with her, I absolutely think you should do it.”

“But there’s Megan.”

Maree nodded. She had spent enough hours supporting Lily during her darkest days. She understood. “I can’t say I’m not surprised, but I was just as surprised when you told me last year. It doesn’t change your love for, or devotion to, Megan. How you feel about Megan is clear to anyone who knew you, and probably anyone you chat to today.”

Lily was grateful, but it didn’t change her discomfort at moving on. She still felt guilty. Plus there was Scott… “Please don’t tell anyone. I really don’t want Scott and Bodhi knowing.”

“I won’t. I promise. I love a bit of gossip, but not this, and not at your expense.” Lily was certain Maree would be true to her word, which was the only reason she’d confided in her in the first place.

Once they’d finished eating, they ordered drinks and soon ended up hugging large, steaming mugs of Italian hot chocolate. Italian hot chocolate is so rich that it would take them plenty more time to get through it, which Lily was grateful for. It meant more talking time. Now, they talked business and family, rather than dating. Once they’d paid the bill, Maree suggested they go dancing. She’d already suggested this when they’d made the plan to catch up, so it wasn’t overly surprising. Lily felt torn—she wasn’t sure she felt like dancing but was happy to go out with her friend if she really wanted her there. She’d been a little antisocial lately, so maybe it would be wise. Besides, she figured that, ultimately, Maree would catch someone’s eye, and Lily would be free to leave early.