“You know,” I said slowly, “I’m actually a Californian. I was born there.”
“Yeah, but you were there for, like, a week?”
“Something like that,” I conceded.
“And you were raised here, in the south.”
“While I was born in Virginia,” Christy said.
Leah was only mildly surprised, but her eyebrows hid under her bangs again. It was easier for her.
“For real?” she said. “Where?”
“Norfolk. Well, Virginia Beach.”
“My dad’s from Alexandria.”
“Oh, cool.”
Leah shook her head in mild annoyance. “We’re getting off-topic.” She gestured at the suitcase full of toys. “This changes things.”
“How?”
“It means you’re a kinky little thing. For real.”
“Oh my gosh,” Christy laughed, “you’re exactly alike!”
“What? How?”
“That’s what I call her,” I said dryly, “a kinky little thing.”
“Seriously? Why’m I not surprised?”
“We aren’t actually brother and sister,” I said, “but we might as well be. I mean, we more or less grew up together.”
“Yeah, you’re right. But still… this changes things.”
Christy and I exchanged a look, and I asked for both of us, “How?”
“For one, I can tell Erin to chill out. She’s been trying to get you into bed because we didn’t think Christy’s… um… infatuation… with our lifestyle would last.”
“It isn’t an infatuation,” I said. “She’s in it for the long run.”
“Oh my gosh, yes!”
“Well, duh,” Leah said. “If you’re into this stuff— Hold on.” She looked at me. “You aren’t a sadist, are you?”
“God, no! I only do it ’cause she likes it.”
“Oh, okay,” Leah said in obvious relief. “You had me worried for a sec. I mean, you get a little forceful sometimes, but you’ve never hurt me. I don’t mind being dominated, but I’m not into pain.” She glanced at Christy. “No offense.”
“None taken.”
“Different strokes,” I said.
“Exactly. Different strokes.” Leah picked up where she’d left off. “If you’re into this stuff, BDSM, and you’re serious about… um… family fun—”
Christy nodded emphatically.
“—then swinging is pretty normal. There’s one thing I’m curious about, though. If you don’t mind me asking. Although… at this point, you’d’ve ‘run screaming’ if you minded.”
“True. What’s the question?”
“What’s up with you and Trip? And Mark, for that matter. Why don’t you want to have sex with them? I mean, I get it, it’s your body, but… what’s the big deal?”
“I… um… only want to have sex with Paul.”
Leah’s brow furrowed. “But… you and I…? Tonight. And this afternoon, with Brooke. Yesterday, with Erin and Wren. You’ve had sex with just about everyone. Why not the guys too?”
Christy glanced at me.
“This is where the Catholic guilt comes in,” I said. “It isn’t really guilt, but… being Catholic is a big part of it.”
“So… you’re serious?” Leah asked. “About being Catholic?”
“Very,” Christy said. “Like, my immortal soul.”
I nodded solemnly.
Leah considered it but then frowned at an inconsistency. “Okay, then… why don’t you go to church?”
“I can’t.” Christy shot me an annoyed look. “It’s too far to walk, and no one will let me drive. Besides,” she added, a bit guiltily, “I like sleeping in on Sundays and waking up with him. He… um… takes care of me.”
“Yeah,” Leah said with a grin, “I’m familiar with his morning routine. Is he still good for two in a row?”
“Oh my gosh, yes. Sometimes more.”
“Sounds about right,” Leah smirked.
“You never complained,” I said.
“No. I quite enjoyed it. But let’s get back to the original topic. So, Christy… why won’t you have sex with other guys? Hold on, you said you don’t want to have sex with anyone besides Paul. I’d normally have notes if this were a real interview,” she apologized, “but I’m pretty sure that’s what you said.”
I spoke up, “This is where it gets complicated.”
“Doesn’t it always?” Leah shot back. “I didn’t mean to sound so catty, but… it’s sex. It’s always complicated.”
“You can say that again,” Christy muttered.
“Then I’ll try to explain,” I said patiently. “She doesn’t think sex with other women is sex—”
“In spite of the fact that, you know, it is?” Leah seemed amused more than annoyed.
“It isn’t to her,” I said. “Neither are blowjobs.”
“You mean, oral sex?” she asked archly.
“I can’t explain it,” Christy said. “I’ve tried, like, a million times, but it never makes sense. Only, it does to me.”
Leah gazed at her for a long time, but she didn’t back down.
“Okay, sex with other women isn’t sex,” Leah said flippantly. “Neither are blowjobs.” She heard her tone and immediately apologized. “Sorry, I’m supposed to be objective. Besides, it’s your decision, your body. It’s worse when a woman does it. I mean, we’re used to it from men. They’ve always tried to control us…
“I should know,” she added. “That’s what Todd did to me. He knew what I wanted,” she spat, savage and bitter, “better than I did. Fucking asshole.” She drew a deep breath and tried to shake it off. Then she glared at me. “Why’d you have to bring him up?”
“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
“Yeah, all right. Anyway, Christy, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t try to tell you what’s right for you. And I shouldn’t mock you for your choices.”
“Thank you.”
“Let’s talk about something else,” Leah said abruptly. “And… I want that drink after all.”
“You got it,” I said. “Sherry or whiskey?”
“The good stuff, the 18-year-old. And I’d better eat something else.”
Christy was closest to the tray and had been nibbling the whole time, although she was genuinely surprised to realize it. Leah’s mood changed abruptly.
“Seriously?” she laughed. “You didn’t notice?”
“No,” Christy grumped. “Only, I can’t help it!”
“It’s all right,” Leah said in a gentler tone. “I’m just jealous.”
“You wouldn’t be if you had my metabolism. For real, I mean.”
“You’re right. I’ve seen how much you eat, and you’re still… what? A size two?”
“When I can buy regular clothes.” Christy fumed at the world in general. “Most of the time I have to shop in the Girls section or Young Misses. It’s embarrassing.”
“No wonder. You’re… what? Eighty-five pounds? Maybe ninety?”
“For the record, I’m ninety-four!”
“Hold on,” I said. “I thought you were ninety-seven.”
“Um… I am?” she lied.
My shoulders fell. “Oh, Little Bit…”
“I’m sorry! Only, I’ve been so excited. I forget to eat. You know how I am! It’s not my fault! Stupid metabolism.” She glared and crunched a stick of celery like it had personally offended her. In a way, it had—it didn’t have enough calories.
“Can I do anything to help?” Leah asked.
“Are you going to eat that muffin?”
“Go ahead,” Leah laughed, “it’s all yours.”
“I’ll slice an apple for you,” I told her.
“I can do it.” She held out her hand for the knife.
“Let Paul,” Christy said around a mouthful. “He’th a profethional.” She finished chewing and swallowed. “Sorry, my mother wouldn’t be very proud if she saw that.”
“Never mind the nudity,” I added.
“Or the fact that we’re all shaved,” Leah said.
“And let’s not even mention the group sex!”
We all laughed. Then Leah glared playfully.