My Dream Man Read Online Free

wanted to make sure the first time was special, you know?”
    I nodded, glad my kid sister was sensible and had at least listened to some of my past advice.
    “So I told him no, but he didn’t want to take no for an answer.”
    I felt my blood begin to boil.
    “So then he says maybe we should try anal sex instead. That way I’m not giving up my virginity but we can still fool around.”
    I raised an eyebrow but remained calm. I wanted to strangle the manipulative piece of shit.
    “I told him I had no interest in doing that, even though I know a bunch of other girls who do.”
    “Really?”
    “Yeah, really. They call it a loophole. No pun intended.”
    I stifled an embarrassed laugh.
    “But it’s just stupid. And gross.” She scrunched her tear-streaked face in disgust. “But Jack kept pushing the matter and I wouldn’t budge, so we broke up.” Her voice cracked at the end of the sentence.
    “Maybe this is for the best,” I said, rubbing her shoulder. “You’ve got finals to focus on; you’re leaving for college soon. Maybe you two aren’t on the same page.”
    A tear escaped and ran down her cheek. “That’s what Mom said.”
    “You told her about—”
    “No! I didn’t tell her that. I just said we broke up.”
    I gave her a hug. “It’s going to be okay Tab. You’ll see.”
    Mom had told me once that she’d hoped Tabby would outgrow Jack. She wasn’t Jack’s biggest fan, so I knew she must be pleased by the development, apart from the obvious pain it was causing Tabby.
    “Why don’t you stay over tonight?” I suggested. “I can make your favorite soup, do your toenails. Tonight’s all about you.” I put on my best happy face, hoping it would be contagious.
    She cracked a wan smile. “I would, but Mom and Dad offered to take me to dinner to cheer me up.”
    “Well, if you want to come by tomorrow, let me know.”
    “Thanks,” she said. “I’ll give you a call if I’m feeling up to it.”
    Tabby and I chatted about school for a while, but that didn’t seem to brighten her spirits either. She left soon thereafter.
    After eating a small meal I showered and got fixed up to meet my friends. On the way there I started to question the way I’d reacted to Tabby’s news. She needed compassion from me, not a secret celebration of the breakup.
    I made eye contact with Valerie at the bar and my mood lifted. She was one of those bubbly people – the kind who brought the best out of everyone around her.
    “Hey,” she said, and we hugged and faux kissed each other. Not because we were fake, but because we didn’t want to smudge our lipstick.
    “Where’s Genevieve?” I asked.
    “She couldn’t make it at the last minute. Cramps. I didn’t want to cancel though. I figured we could just hang out.” Val handed me the menu. “Check this out. They have a Lychee Martini. I’ve never heard of that before. That’s what I’m going to get.”
    It sounded good. “Me too.”
    The waiter stopped by and took our order, then quickly disappeared.
    “So what’s new?”
    “I got the promotion,” Val said. “I didn’t think I’d get it, because another co-worker had been there longer, but I guess I got lucky.”
    “Congrats!” She’d worked hard and I was certain she’d get the position. When the waiter returned we officially clinked our glasses together.
    “Wow. This is so good,” I said.
    “Right?” she agreed. “Too bad Genevieve is missing this.”
    “Damn cramps,” I said. Val started laughing and I couldn’t help but join her. Her laugh was a contagious high-pitched giggle that reminded me of Saturday morning cartoons.
    Over the next half hour I sipped my concoction and listened to her divulge the details of her new gig. She always amazed me with how animated she got when she spoke. I wished I had her energy.
    “So how about you Sam? Anything new?” she asked when she had finished.
    I paused, unsure if I should tell her, but the booze gave me liquid courage. “I have some