While Elva was skipping around nearby, I explained to Susie everything that had happened the past few days with Nicholas and me, up to and including the most recent incident of him telling me he wanted to avoid having penetrative s*x so I wouldn’t get pregnant.
Of course, I said all of this very quietly, careful of eavesdroppers.
“I can’t imagine he meant it as a rejection,” Susie said. She subtly placed a hand to her own stomach. “It’s smart to be careful. Things sometimes just… happen.”
“I know,” I said. “And I know he probably didn’t mean it badly, but it still hurts.”
“No probably about it,” Susie said. “He’s trying to protect you.”
I shook my head. I just couldn’t believe that, as much as I wanted to. Maybe that was part of it, but it wasn’t all of it. If he truly wanted me, wou
