This is a true story.
I sit around the fire, trying not to feel so alone as my friends sit on their husbands' laps. My husband had a workshop but had told me that morning to enjoy myself on this camping trip. He was not specific in his permits of what I could do. I took his comment as leisurely and walked the trails and took a swim in the lake, which were all fun. As the sun sets, everyone is sweeping in their partner's embrace, leaving me holding my phone with no bars to send a good night text to my honey.
Thankfully I am not the only one. Clint walks up toward the fire and looks at me with a smile. He is also here alone, but he's off-limits to me. My husband and I have swung a few times with two out of the three couples in attendance, but we both had set a limit on single people. I smile politely and try not to hold his gaze too long.
Clint finally speaks out, "Come on, guys. Unass each other, and let's take some shots."
The group and I giggle, and I am happy everyone moves up and stops the PDA. I feel odd about how desirous and nervous I am. I take a small shot glass and babysit it, sipping a little at a time. Clint notices and sits next to me.
"Don't be a light wait, here," he smiles, refilling the tiny glass to the brim, "Let's take one together as the lonely hearts."
I chuckle and down the shot as the crowd cheers on. The zeal spreads to my gut, and I shake my head from the bitter taste. Clint reaches his hand to my shoulder and pulls me in for a side hug.
"You're the youngest here. I know you can drink us under the table."
Jane giggles before asking, "How old are you?"
"27," I say.
Their eyes light up as if remembering what life was like at that age and all encourages me to be free and try everything before Sean and I settle on having a family.
"Those aren't 27-year-old tits," Olivia smiles and walks toward me. She palms my breasts, plump and firm, and I immediately blush.
"I love your fucking titties, Vera. Larry, remember?"
Larry chuckles, "The next morning, that was all she talked about."
"You do have a beautiful pair. And It's a good thing you met Sean later in life," Clint chuckled, "Had you met him at 27," he shook his head.
"What was he like?" I ask and try to ignore Clint's comment even though he is so handsome in his unbuttoned plaid shirt.
Clint barked like a dog and chuckled, "Playboy. Sean could play a woman like a fiddle."
Olivia pitches in, "Clint is teasing Vera. Sean wasn't that bad. He was just dating."