Chapter 7

Tasha watched Megan emerge sleepily from the bedroom, reaching down to rub her legs. “Mornin’ sleepyhead! Did Nocturne bother you in the night?”

“Ugh, how are you so cheerful? And, no, Nocturne is fine. She’s kinda cute, actually.”

“Yes, she is. And don’t go stealing my cat’s affections!”

“Oh, you mean like how you’re stealing my daughter’s affections with your cinnamon hot chocolate magic?”

“Exactly! Hey, is Sophia still asleep?”

“Yeah, Nocturne just snuggled up to her and they are both out like a light.”

“Cool. You’ll never guess what I’ve been up to.”

“Nope.”

“I did some cybersleuthing and found Lauren.”

“Lauren?”

“Freshman year, socks on the door, Lauren…”

“Oh, right.”

“So… she runs an adult boutique in Newark.”

“She runs a what?”

“You heard me. Get this, she wants me to do some graphic design work for her website.”

“Wow, that’s crazy! That’s awesome, too. Congrats?”

“I know, right? She’s gonna Zoom… Never mind, she’s Zooming me now. Hey, Lauren!”

“Hey, yourself, Tasha! Wait… who is that behind you? Is that Megan?”

“Hi, Lauren, it’s me.”

“Stop, are you two living together? Because freshman year I totally saw the vibe between the two of you?—”

“Whoa! Slow down! No, we’re not together. Megan’s just staying with me for a bit. Nothing like that.”

“That’s too bad! I always imagined you two together.”

“I’m married, Lauren. Well, at least technically.”

“I did that twice—it didn’t work. I’m in a polyamorous relationship now and it’s been great. Hang on… Please tell me that you didn’t marry that Brad douche that you were dating in senior year.”

“Uh…”

“Ugh, I dated him briefly sophomore year,” Lauren said. “Best sleep I got that year, too.”

“Wait, what?”

“Boring. I’m saying that he was incredibly boring. In and out of bed, actually.”

“Oh, uh… This is a lot right now.”

“Sorry. I sometimes overshare. Look, Tasha, I just wanted to catch up real fast. I’ll email you some stuff for the website and we can chat. Also, send me your address so I can mail you your check… and I’ll send you ladies some samples. After Brad, I know that at least one of you needs them desperately!”

“Lauren!”

“Okay, you two have fun! Definitely do what I would do! Ciao!” Lauren broke the connection with a very suggestive wink.

Tasha let out an embarrassed giggle. “Wow… that was a lot for this early on a Sunday! You okay? Megan?” Tasha waved her hand in front of Megan’s face. “Earth to Megan?”

“Holy shit. I’m all for sex positivity, but I think that I might have needed coffee before that.” Megan’s face was beet red.

Tasha snickered. “I bet you’re awake now, though.”

“Yeah, no doubt. Was Lauren serious about sending us some samples?”

“I’m pretty sure she was. Let’s just make sure that your girl doesn’t open that particular toybox!”

“Stop! You’re terrible.” Megan laughed.

“Yep, and you love me for it.”

“I do. Now, since I’m fully awake with no need for coffee, do you want me to start on breakfast?”

“I’m actually running a bit low on stuff. Could I ask you a big favor, roomie?”

“Sure… roomie. Let me guess, grocery run? Is the store even open?”

“It’s not that early and we’re in the city. It’s open. I have a list on the fridge. If you don’t mind doing that and maybe even making breakfast when you get back,” Tasha batted her eyelashes at her friend.

“Of course, I’d be happy to. Let me put on real pants, though.”

“Good thinking! Meanwhile, I have a ton of work to get through this morning so that Kevin doesn’t murder me when I walk in on Monday. He still might, just because he’s a jerk, but less likely if I knock out a couple of client projects.”

“Kevin really does sound lovely… I’m looking forward to meeting him if your company has an office holiday party. Kidding!”

“Oh, you think that you’re gonna get an invite to the holiday party, do you? Only if you’re really nice to me.” Tasha paused, tapping her lips with her forefinger. “Oh, actually, that could be kinda fun. It’s usually awful, and if you come as my plus one, that will really throw Kevin for a loop. I might actually enjoy the party for once. Great idea, Megan.”

“Uh, thanks? Okay, I’m off as soon as I get pants on. See you back here soon.”

Tasha threw herself into work for the next few hours. She worried that having Megan and Sophia in the apartment would be distracting, but, weirdly, it felt pretty good. Sophia kept Nocturne distracted, which actually made working at home easier, since she no longer had a cat “helping” her work. Tasha closed her laptop around eleven and stretched. She watched Sophia playing with one of Nocturne’s feather toys, and it was hard to say who was having more fun.

Tasha poked her head into the bedroom to find Megan reading on the bed. “Whatcha reading?”

“Uh, Lamb by Christopher Moore.”

“Oh yeah, I liked that one. What do you think?”

“It’s fun. I’m not too far into it. Brad would hate it, which kinda makes me like it even more. That’s not weird, is it?”

“Nope! I might have to re-read after you’re done. Feel free to read any of my books. We can get you set up with a library card, too. It’s pretty easy, and Multnomah County has a really good public library system. Hey, are you and Sophia good for burgers on the way to roller derby?”

“Sure! Burgers sound great. Do we need to go soon?”

“Yeah, in five or ten minutes,” Tasha said. An alert popped up on her phone. She smiled wryly. “Well, I just got an alert that a delivery pick-up has been scheduled for a package shipping from Newark, New Jersey tomorrow.”

“Oh my god, Lauren was actually serious.”

“Apparently she was. Tell you what, when it gets here, I’ll take Sophia out for a movie or something. I’ll have some bonding time with my goddaughter and you can um, take care of some personal needs.”

Tasha barely avoided the pillow that rocketed toward her head, laughing as she ducked back into the living area. “Hey, Sophia! Your Mom is gonna need you to put on your shoes and coat, and then I’ve got a special surprise for you this afternoon.”

“Okay! I like surprises!”

She turned as Megan walked out of the bedroom and whispered, “You might want to throw a bit of water on your face. You look a bit flushed.” Tasha grinned wickedly at Megan. “Ow! No need for punching. I’m just trying to look out for my best friend and this is the thanks I get. I wonder if I need to pick up batteries this week…” The look on Megan’s face was priceless.

“Oh, look, Lauren just texted me,” Tasha said, turning her phone screen toward Megan. “Tell Megan to lose the blonde hair. That’s definitely my color, not hers.”

Megan sighed in exasperation. “Seriously?”

Tasha laughed all the way to the car.