Chapter 86

• Recalling Ethan's words from when Shina caught them in a compromising position on her couch, she winced: "Just so you know, my friends are not like Shina. Please be sober and fully dressed when I eventually introduce you to them." She had joked she couldn't promise that, intending to make a good impression. This scenario was far from what she had envisioned. She was, at least, sober, having had only one glass of wine all night. That was one small solace.
• After showering, Nathalie dressed in clean clothes and blow-dried her hair. Taking a deep breath, she descended the stairs, feeling much more composed now. Though dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt, no longer worrying about Ethan's seed trickling down her legs and her breasts properly covered, she felt significantly better.
• Re-entering the living room, she found Ethan seated on the couch, with Steve settled in a comfortable black chair nearby. They were engrossed in laughter, two empty glasses on the coffee table as evidence of their shared amusement. She realized she had taken a fair while in the shower.