But there’s one thing we left unsaid.”

“What’s that?”

“I’d prefer you never call me again, or contact me in any way.”

He pauses. “That seems like an odd request. I already told you Callie and I are a couple. Why would I call or contact you?”

“You shouldn’t.”

Callie motions her to hang up.

Kathleen says, “What I’m trying to say, I don’t want to contact you again, and hope you understand. We’re different people now.”

“Okay. Strange conversation, since we already had it last night, but thanks for making it even more clear. I’ll lose your number and you’ll lose mine.”

“Thank you, Donovan.”

“I wish you and Addie all the best.”

“You, too.”

They hang up and Callie says, “Where do you keep your dildo?”

“My what?”

“Dildo.”

“I don’t have one of those.”

“Are you lying again?”

Kathleen squeezes her eyes shut, shakes her head slightly. Then says, “There might be something on the top shelf of my bedroom closet.”

“Get it.”

Kathleen’s eyes go wide. “You wouldn’t dare!”

Callie says, “Don’t flatter yourself.”

She follows Kathleen to the bedroom closet, waits for her to produce the dildo. When she does, Callie says, “Pretend that’s Creed. And show me what he likes.”

“What?”

“You’re drab. Unkempt. Mousy.”

“I—What?”

“Your makeup’s a mess, your wardrobe sucks, you’re barely fit, your tits are small, you slouch when you sit, and you walk like you’re pushing a grocery cart….And yet you managed to keep Creed interested enough to consider marriage.”

“I can see how that would be hard for you to fathom.”

“I’ve been through your refrigerator and cupboard.”

“Excuse me?”

“You can’t cook.”

“Does that mean you won’t be joining us for dinner? Darn!”

“You’re unfunny, unexciting, colorless, and have a child. There’s only one possible explanation I can come up with for the attraction.”

“What’s that?”

“You must have been really good in bed.”

“I’m not comfortable discussing that part of our relationship with you.”

“Would you be more comfortable if I cut off your ears?”

Kathleen looks at the switchblade in Callie’s hand and wonders how it got there. Her hand was empty, now it’s holding a switchblade, but no time passed between the two events. She says, “You can’t be serious about this. I mean, sex is sex. We didn’t do anything weird, adventurous, or special.”

Callie’s not pleased with the response.

Not pleased at all.

“Before I leave, you’ll tell me everything you did to him sexually, and everything he did to you. You’ll give me details. Favorite position. Favorite place. Did he tie you up? Did he pull your hair? Did you slap each other? Did he spank you? Did you role play? You’re going to tell me what he liked, what he responded to, and how you reacted to everything he did.”

“I have no idea what that last part means.”

“It means you’re going to describe every sound you made while having sex. Every whimper and moan. If you cried softly in your pillow or yelled “Oh God!” at the top of your lungs, I want to hear about it. Then you’re going to demonstrate.”

“How?”

“By using the dildo and pretending its Creed.”

“You’re insane.”

“I’m thorough. Consider it prep.”

“For what?”

“Not that I owe you an answer, but I intend to be the best lover Creed’s ever had. And if you try to throw in something that never happened, I’ll eventually find out. And when I do, I’ll make you pay for it.”

“How could you possibly find out?”

“I’ll ask him.”

“He’d never tell.”

Callie smiles. “He’ll tell me anything I want to know, because I know how to ask him.”

“Then why don’t you? Why don’t you just ask him about the things we did?”

“That’s too direct.