The fifth and last of the five-book series, this work is meant for mature readers only, age18 and above. “Please don’t look at me,” Kaitlyn said, her tone half joking. “I can’t just not look,” Melanie protested. “You could try,” Kaitlyn said. “Well, I need to look sometimes, just to make sure you’re still there at least,” Melanie noted. “That’s what people have to do.” “You could just ask if I’m still here,” Kaitlyn countered. “I would always say yes, and then if I didn’t, you could look for me.” “That would take more time, though,” Melanie said. “I could put on really strong perfume. I brought some.” “Yeah, but sometimes the smell of that stays after someone leaves. Plus, if it’s strong and I don’t like that kind, then if there’s a lot of it, that would sort of ruin my day.” “Good point.” “Or I could just look at parts of you. Like, just your head or something. Or your shoulder.” Kaitlyn frowned but said nothing. “Is that it?” Melanie said, looking out the window. “I need to not look . . . at certain places?” “I don’t know,” Kaitlyn said. “I’m probably being dumb. But you know . . . you said you have . . . girlfriends, or whatever.” “Not really girlfriends,” Melanie said. “Not like girlfriends and boyfriends. Just friends.” “But you told me you’ll . . . be with them.” “Yeah,” Melanie said, shuffling on her feet, appearing a little uncomfortable for the first time. “When we both decide to be. Now and then. But I’m not trying to do that to you.” Kaitlyn laughed, a hard, husky laugh, not as nervous as before, and one might be left with the impression that she was here to have experiences – her decision to undress being the first – but needed to feel she was in control of things, and Melanie’s promise had helped to reassure her. Nakedness was a vulnerability that – especially outside Mesa Springs – could subject one to all manner of exploitation, and Kaitlyn simply didn’t know how safe she was, because she didn’t know Mesa Springs yet, or the way people were here. “Compromise,” Melanie said. “I won’t look at you except when I totally have to, and then just at some really neutral place, like head or feet or hands.” “Okay.” “Or butt. You know, if that’s my only option.” “Last resort,” Kaitlyn said. “Deal,” Melanie said, turning toward the door into the hall. “Let me show you that book. You can unpack later.”
