Champagne Rules. Susan Lyons

we’re going to meet.” She gulped. “I’m terrified.” Because, after all, she really was Suze, the sensible, boring twin.

      “What do you know about this man?” Ann asked. “What does he do? Are you sure he’s not married? What about—”

      Suzanne broke in. “I did ask if he was single, and he said yes.” She frowned. “I have no way of knowing for sure, but why would he lie? Why would he think I’d even care?”

      “Because you do,” Ann pointed out.

      “No! I mean, yes, I do, but that’s the sensible twin. Why would he think outrageous69 would give a flying”—she swallowed and made herself say it—“fuck whether he’s married? And no, I don’t know what he does for a living. I didn’t ask and he didn’t say. And I didn’t tell him what I do.”

      Ann’s frown made Suzanne rush on. “Don’t you see, that’s not what we’re all about, Jaxon and me? It’s not one of those typical relationships where you meet the guy’s family and friends, where he talks about his job, sports, whatever. Don’t get me wrong, that stuff is great. That’s what my life will be like when I’m a vet and I meet the right man, and we get to know each other, make sure we’re long-term compatible, then get married, buy a house, have kids.”

      And in that moment, she realized that all the mulling—and IM sex—of the last couple of days had led her to a conclusion. She rested her elbows on the table and leaned forward. “But that’s then, and this is now. I want what Jen said: a walk on the wild side. I want to be outrageous69, the sexy twin. Scrap all that mundane stuff, this may be the only opportunity I’ll ever have to do something really daring.”

      “Or maybe dangerous.” Ann rested her hand on Suzanne’s forearm. “I’m worried. You don’t know a single thing about this man. He could be a psycho. I understand your craving for adventure, but you have to be careful.”

      “Sspoilssport,” Jen spat out, hissing the ess’s.

      “I’m not saying don’t meet him.” Ann glanced around the table. “But the three of us are going to be there.”

      Everyone kept quiet while the waitress delivered their meals, then Suzanne said, “Ann, I’m cautious enough to admit I’d love a security net, but on Monday you said you don’t even have time to date your new guy.”

      “This is more important.”

      “She’s right,” Rina said. “We’ll be there, won’t we, Jen? What time? Where?”

      Suzanne felt a surge of love for her friends. Whatever her life might bring in terms of romance—be it adventuresome or mundane—she would treasure these women’s friendship.

      “Early evening,” she said. “I was thinking Spanish Banks? Kind of like the first time, walking toward each other along the beach.”

      “No caves at Spanish Banks,” Jenny teased.

      “I can’t imagine we’re, uh…”

      “Going to leap into each other’s arms and have sex?” Jenny finished. “Why not? You did the first time.”

      They had. Suzanne still had trouble believing she’d really done it. But she’d had too much wine, too much sun, hadn’t really been responsible for her actions. On Friday, she would be.

      “Why not just go to Wreck Beach, then you can both get naked?” Jenny said slyly.

      Suzanne shook her head vehemently. “Not this time. I don’t want to be that daring.”

      For the first time she glanced at her salad, a colorful, imposing composition. What on earth had she ordered? Something adventuresome, obviously, and wouldn’t you know, she felt intimidated by it. She reached for a curly fry.

      Ann finished a bite of her own salad. “Yum, that’s great.” Then she said, “Suze, if you go for a walk, stay where there are lots of people. There are some dark, deserted places up in Pacific Spirit Park. And absolutely do not get in a car with him.” She snapped her fingers. “Walk over to Athene’s for Greek food, and reminisce.”

      “Dinner…God, Ann, I honestly don’t know what to expect. I don’t know this man. This isn’t, like, a normal date. As for reminiscing, the only thing we did was…Well, I can’t see sitting in Athene’s and talking about…you know.”

      “Fucking,” Jenny said gleefully.

      Rina sent her a chastising glance. “What about a picnic? Go to Granville Island and buy a bunch of delicacies. Put them in a picnic basket and leave it in your car.” She grinned. “If things don’t work out with Jaxon, you can share with us. But if you and he get along when you meet, you can picnic on the beach. Go wading in the ocean. Watch the sun set.”

      “That sounds better,” Suzanne said. “But geez, are you three going to sit on a blanket watching the whole thing? That’s too weird for me.”

      “If you stay on the beach, you should be safe,” Ann admitted. “So we’ll hang out for a little while, and when you feel comfortable with him, give us some kind of sign. Then we’ll go get on with our own lives. Our mundane little lives.”