strange that Preacher is asking you not to bang other guys, if it’s only casual sex between you two. Francisco and I don’t have that agreement.”
“Maybe it’s a little more than casual sex,” Addison said. “We’ve had sex three days in a row now and the agreement was supposed to be a lesson a week for a month. Maybe Preacher wants… more.”
“Honey, Preacher’s not the kind of guy who’s going to settle down with a woman. You know that, right?” Harper said.
“I know but he spent the night with me,” Addison said. “He stayed the night and this morning we had sex again before he left. He made me come three times, Harper. When I got out of the shower, I thought he would be gone, but he wasn’t. He went down on me again, and then we had sex, and then when we were cuddling, he touched me until I had a third one. I told him he didn’t have to, that two was more than enough, but he said something about a hat trick. I don’t even know that that means.”
“It’s a hockey thing,” Harper said. “Honey, look, just because he spent the night doesn’t mean he wants more than sex. It probably means he was tired or still horny or your bed is more comfortable than his. There are plenty of reasons why a guy you’re only casually porking spends the night, and it’s not because he’s falling in love with you.”
Trying not to let Harper see the way her words were crushing her, Addison said, “No, I know. You’re right. I’m just hopped up on coffee and great sex.”
Harper stared solemnly at her. “It’s easy to mistake what’s happening with Preacher as more than what it is. For the first time in your life, you’re having amazing sex and trust me – all those orgasms do weird fucking things to your brain. But you did just get out of a long-term relationship and I’m not sure that you’re completely over -”
“I am completely over Harrison,” Addison said. “I don’t love him, Harper. I don’t even want to ever see him again.”
“Okay, but still… trying to start another relationship immediately after having your heart broken isn’t a great idea. You need to have a couple of rebound relationships first. Trust me on this. What’s happening with Preacher is a fun distraction but don’t start thinking that it’s anything more than that. Just enjoy it for what it is, okay?”
“Okay,” Addison said.
“I’m not trying to upset you, honey,” Harper said.
“You’re not. I appreciate the dose of reality,” Addison said.
“All right. What are your plans for today?”
“Not a lot,” Addison said. “I have a woman coming by tonight to look at my wedding dress.”
Harper paused with her coffee cup to her mouth. “How does that make you feel?”
Addison smiled a little. “You sound like my mom. I Facetimed with her and Dad yesterday morning and she said the exact same thing.”
“You love that dress,” Harper said. “I know you do.”
“I do,” Addison said. “But with my car dying, I could really use the extra money. I can’t return it to the dress shop because the alterations were already made, so selling it is my only option. I hate taking the bus and once school starts up again, it’ll be really inconvenient not to have a car.”
“So, get a loan to buy a car. You don’t need to sell your wedding dress. You’ll get married some day to the perfect guy and don’t you want your perfect dress when that happens?”
“I can’t afford a car loan and my student loans,” Addison said. “Besides, as much as I love that dress, it was meant to be for my wedding to Harrison, and wouldn’t it be weird to marry someone else while wearing it?”
“If you didn’t need the money for a car, would you sell the dress?” Harper said.
Addison shrugged. “I don’t know. It doesn’t matter though. I’m just being sentimental over it and that’s stupid. I’m glad I’m not marrying Harrison so I shouldn’t care one way or another about the dress. Anyway, why aren’t you at work? Did you switch shifts again?”
Harper sighed. “I got laid off.”
“What?” Addison sat forward. “When?”
“Monday.”
“Oh my God. Honey, I’m sorry. Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because you’ve got your own thing going on and I didn’t want to go on and on about my problems.”
“Stop it. You know I’m here for you no matter what. Have you already started looking for something else?”
“I think I