Page 17 of Special Delivery

My chest fills with air at her words. Martha isn’t much of a sweet talker. If she’s hyping this up so much, it means she must really love it.

“And I absolutely love the idea of doing a sex toy tour. We could partner up with the brands and do some giveaways or discount codes.” She points a finger at me. “You could become the next brand ambassador for them.”

My jaw tightens, my ears heating up. I knew where this was heading, but I was hoping to do it as the shy, awkward girl I am, not the sexy girl boss she has in mind. “I’m so glad you liked it. There were plenty more humorous incidents to write about, and I was thinking of putting a focus on that.”

The smile falls off her face, her expression sobering. “The story is great, Paige. But a big part of it is because it hinted at what’s to come. It’s a story of sexual exploration, not a series of unfortunate, embarrassing events. You are free to write them into the pieces as comic relief, but I want the focus to be on the toys. The toys and your journey with them.”

She casts me a pointed look, and I hesitate for a second. “Is that a problem for you? You know I would never force you to do something you’re not comfortable with. If that is a problem, I can easily find another writer for it. Everyone would go crazy for an opportunity like this.”

My smile is less sincere this time around as little beads of sweat start forming on the back of my neck. I hear her words loud and clear. I have a choice. But the choice is between keeping my column or losing it to someone willing to try different sex toys and writing about it.

I inhale a breath of courage. “No, I’ll do it.”

“Good. I’m looking forward to reading the next one.”

Her assistant enters the room, signaling it’s my time to leave.

On my way back to Fig Bay, I dial Jordan.

“How’d it go?” she asks as soon as she picks up. The hour and a half ride is always quicker if we spend it talking to each other.

“She loved it.”

I hear a squeak in the background, and I know Emma is listening in on it, too. The corners of my lips turn up.

“Of course she did. You’re an amazing writer,” my sister says.

“Yeah, yeah.” Maybe if I hear it enough times, I’ll start to believe it.

“You know you are,” Emma adds.

My car speaker lets out a few distinct, short beeps. “Someone’s calling. I’ll call you back.”

I switch the call, keeping my eyes on the road, and my dad’s voice fills the car. “Paige?”

“Yeah, Dad? I’m here.”

“You sound different. Where are you?”

I shake my head, suppressing a chuckle. “In my car. Just driving from San Francisco. I had a meeting at the office.”

“Oh, how did it go?”

“It was great. They loved my column.”

“That’s great, sweetie.” I can hear the smile in his voice.

There’s a beat of silence, and I decide to use it. “Look, Dad. I’m sorry about last night. Jordan and I shouldn’t have acted the way we did.”

“I agree. Kim says she understands, but that was something neither of us hoped for.”

“I know. It was probably immature, but we were taken aback.”

“I know I’ve done this plenty of times before. But this is different. Kim is different.”

I roll my eyes, grateful he can’t see me. “This was just news to us.” I take a deep breath before saying the next part. “And maybe we think you should wait a little longer. Think it through.”

He lets out a chuckle. “No need, Paige. When you know, you know. I’ve been wrong enough times to know when I’m right.”