More Than Love (NG3)

36 - Boyfriend

Laney decided that her favorite words to say were 'my boyfriend'.

Marisa called to let her know her pictures were hanging in the gallery earlier than expected. "The one with the surfers looks amazing."

Laney said, "My boyfriend surfs."

She visited Skylar when Hari's mother, Rina, came over. She said, "My boyfriend lives near you."

Rina said, "No one told me you had a boyfriend." She looked at her grandson. "Shaan, do we like this man?"

Skylar nodded. "He's nice."

Laney bragged. "He's an architect."

"Very smart. That's good. He can support you."

"We're not getting married. We..."

"Yet. You're an artist. You need to choose a successful man."

Laney blushed. They hadn't even had sex yet.

She went to his house after he came home from work. Jake had finished painting the second bedroom and patching the living room and hallway. He would do the rest when there were two or three rainy days in the forecast. They ate pasta, another of the meals Reed could cook. On their first date, they struggled to talk without mentioning her birth parents, but since then the topics of conversation were limitless. They had a busy weekend planned together. It included Saturday night at his mother's and Sunday afternoon at the Watson's. Reed couldn't go surfing, but he assured her he didn't mind.

"I'd rather be with you. The rink opens in a few weeks, so I'll be busy for two hours on Friday nights."

"I'm really a starving artist, because I'd rather be with you or Shaan than paint."

"You have pieces in a gallery. I bet they'll sell in no time."

She didn't want to get her hopes up. Her parents were amazing because they supported their adult daughter financially.

Their evening ended with them kissing on the sofa. Reed hadn't tried anything, and Laney knew she had two choices. She could take the lead or ask him why. In her experience, the guys always set the pace by pushing her.

Laney told Jake she had never had a broken heart. In the past, she dated a handful of guys she liked but didn't love. She didn't have sex with the two from high school. By art school, she didn't care to be a virgin anymore. The sex was okay, but she knew it should be better. Honestly, if all that groping, and three thrusts were it, she felt disappointed. One guy she dated post college talked like he cared about her pleasure, but blamed her sexiness on why he lost it too quickly. She longed for a closeness with Reed she had never wanted before.

On Friday, Sasha called. Was she her mother or her boyfriend's stepmom?

"I hear you have a busy weekend."

"Between the two of us, we have too much family."

"I know Reed. He'll stay by your side. Do you want his family to know about us?"

"Isn't that your decision?" Sasha had wanted to keep her a secret.

"I'm proud of you. I was worried about telling Reed. Clearly that was a big mistake."

Laney scrunched up her nose. "Yeah, it led to me and Davis. Oh sorry! You don't think it's gross. Forget I said that. Davis is your secret."

"It's complicated."

Laney liked Davis, but thought Sasha deserved better. "But he cheated on you."

Sasha sighed. "Life isn't black and white."