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"That's because you're not the one suffering."

"From what?"

"Acute sexual frustration."

Her mouth fell open. Then she laughed. And just like that, everything in the world was right.

She rolled her eyes. "You're ridiculous."

"I've been told."

"Frequently, I imagine."

"Mostly by you."

She shook her head, but she was still smiling as she crawled onto the bed.

And because karma was a b-i-t-c-h, she didn't stop at the edge. Nope. She came and lay down beside me, so close I could smell her face wash and lotion.

From my peripheral, I watched her settle onto her side, facing me. But I kept my eyes staring up, at the ceiling. Very deliberately.

"Something wrong?" she asked.

"Just having a private conversation with the Lord."

"About?"

"Strength. Patience. The importance of loose-fitting clothing."

She laughed again. I turned my head. She was looking at me with an expression I couldn't quite read.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing."

"That's a loaded word."

She tucked her hand under her head. "What is?"

"Nothing. Especially when a woman says it."

"That's sexist."

"That's experience."

"How much experience could you possibly have? You've never had a serious girlfriend."

"Ouch." I pressed a hand over my heart. "You wound me."

"By being honest?"

"I feel like you could've delivered that information with a little more compassion."

Her smile softened. Then faded. And there it was again. The turtle.

I rolled onto my side, so we were facing each other. "Hey."

"Hey."