If We Were Perfect - Ana Huang Page 0,42

on.

“Richard and I are thinking of moving there after we get married. I’ve been recruited by a private clinic that’s based in San Francisco, one that would pay me double what I’m earning now, and we’d like a better feel for the city before I make my decision.”

Olivia couldn’t have been more stunned if Alina had told her she’d joined a cult and was traveling to California for a sacrificial ceremony beneath the full moon. Alina loved Chicago. She’d left only for school and had promptly moved back after she received her MD from Harvard. Olivia had been the one itching to break free from the confines of their hometown and escape their mother’s crushing expectations.

“Why didn’t you tell me this before? And why is Mom coming with you?”

Eleanor would never move out of Chicago. That was the seat of her power, where she’d established a name for herself as a grande dame of society and cultivated a circle of admirers and competitors who kept her days filled with drama, party planning, and expensive lunches at The Waldorf Astoria.

“I just got the offer last week,” Alina said. “If we move, Mom will visit often, so she wants to look at houses with us.”

“I thought you were just ‘getting a feel’ for the city, not looking at houses already.”

“Houses are part of the city, Olivia.”

Olivia hated when Alina punctuated her sentences with her name. It was so freakin’ condescending.

She was also cognizant of the fact that Eleanor had visited her only once when she’d lived in New York, but of course their mother would visit Alina often.

“We’ll be there in August,” Alina continued. “We’re staying at the Z Hotel, but we should have a family brunch. I haven’t seen you in a while, and you’re one of my bridesmaids. Not to mention my sister.”

Maybe I’d see you more if I were your maid-of-honor.

Olivia bit back her caustic reply. “Sure,” she replied instead. “Looking forward to it.” As much as I look forward to a root canal without anesthesia.

“Excellent. Good night.”

“Good night.”

Olivia hung up and heaved a deep sigh as she looked around her room, which suddenly felt too quiet. She was still apartment hunting in her free time, but nothing that met her budget and requirements had surfaced yet. At this rate, she might as well stay at Sammy’s house through the summer.

The idea didn’t freak her out as much as it should have.

She’d seen Sammy’s car in the driveway, which meant he was home. He was probably sleeping—he had early nights when he planned to go into the bakery the next day.

Olivia was horrified to realize part of her was tempted to wake him up just so she had someone to talk to. Sammy was one of the best listeners she knew, and when they weren’t sniping at each other, she loved talking to him. If they were dating, she wouldn’t think twice of barging in his room and laying her troubles at his feet—not to mention rewarding him afterward with a blowjob. She’d done that in Shanghai more often than she cared to admit.

Since they weren’t dating, she settled for a few chapters of her latest erotica read instead. Reading was the closest thing she had to therapy without actually going to therapy. Plus, her first book club meeting was tomorrow, and she couldn’t wait.

Olivia needed new friends in the city, stat. Otherwise, she’d go crazy—or do something crazy, like sneak into Sammy’s room and finish where they’d left off on the Fourth of July.

Chapter Twelve

“I’m telling you, anal is so good if you do it right!” Natalie waved her arms and nearly whacked Kat in the face in her enthusiasm.

“No way.” Donna shook her head. “I tried it once, and it felt like I was dying.”

“Did you use lube?”

“Of course I used lube!”

“Did you use enough lube?”

Donna pursed her lips. “Look, it doesn’t matter. I’m down for BJs, sex in public places, rimming, whatever. But anal is a no-go.”

Natalie huffed and turned to Olivia. “What about you? Team Anal: yes or no?”

Now that was a question Olivia never thought she’d have to answer.

She cast an apologetic glance in Donna’s direction. “Yes, if it’s with the right guy.” Donna was right—it hurt like hell the first few times, but once she got used to it and understood the proper preparations, it’d become far more pleasurable.

Olivia needed to trust the guy a lot to let him in the backdoor, though. To this day, the only person she’d had anal sex