Any Way You Want It by Kathy Love Page B

differently?” Jo asked her, ignoring Maggie’s valiant attempt to get on with their vacation.
    Maggie’s posture drooped as she groaned again. “Oh, I don’t know. I guess…I guess I wish I’d been daring enough to spend the night with him. Even if it was just the one night.”
    Both Jo and Erika considered her words.
    “You know, this is a novel twist. Most people beat themselves up for having a one-night stand. Not for not having one.” Jo took a drink of her coffee, then held the cup between her two hands as she pondered this interesting slant on a guilty conscience.
    “I mean it’s not like I really think he could or should offer me something more than a fling. And I think I do want a fling. I think I need one.” Maggie shifted her eyes back and forth between her two friends, trying to read their thoughts. For once, they were both wearing poker faces. Of course.
    “I didn’t want to stop after we kissed. Not until Peter popped into my head. And then I suddenly got scared.”
    “Well, Peter has done a number on you. Your fear is understandable,” Jo said.
    “And that’s why I’m even more annoyed for stopping. It’s like Peter is still there, judging me.
    Making me unsure of myself. I don’t want him to have that kind of control over me. He’s gone, and I want my life back. I want Ren, and if it’s just a fling, all the better,” Maggie said. “Do you think I’m horrible?” she finally asked them.
    “No,” they both said in unison, and with conviction.
    That made Maggie feel better.
    “Wasn’t it us who wanted you to wish for a wild fling at Marie Laveau’s tomb? Of course we support you wanting something fun and sexy for yourself,” Erika said.
    “So what should I do?”
    “Let me ask you this,” Jo said. “Are you sure you said no because of your doubts about yourself and Peter? Or is there a real risk that a fling is going to mess you up more?”
    Those were the very questions that had kept her awake most of the night. She wasn’t sure.
    “Maybe it’s a combination of both of those things. I mean, I’ve never been with a man that I haven’t considered myself in love with.”
    “Considered being the operative word,” Jo said.
    Maggie shrugged. “True. And I’m also scared that I’ll be very underwhelming to a guy like Ren.”
     
    “No, you won’t,” Jo stated, as if she’d already seen the whole moment go down, and Maggie had performed brilliantly.
    Maggie smiled, the first real smile of the morning.
    “That’s your fear because of Peter,” Erika said gently.
    “I agree.” Jo nodded.
    Maggie agreed too. She knew everything that had happened with Peter was haunting her.
    Coloring her opinions of herself, and how attractive she could be to another man.
    “I really think being with Ren could be good for you,” Erika said. “You need to remember that you are an attractive, interesting, sensual woman.”
    Maggie smiled at that. “Remember? When did I know that?”
    “And that’s why you should go for it.” Jo took a sip of her coffee, then held the cup out in her best sophisticated pose. “After all, you are a modern woman. You can take exactly what you want.”
    Erika laughed, but nodded. “Jo’s right. There is nothing wrong with being a little naughty and having fun. You are a grown woman. And you are both consenting adults. He doesn’t have to be Mr. Right—he can be Mr. Right Now.”
    Maggie laughed. She liked that. And she wasn’t going to let her insecurities hold her back. She did want this. Maggie needed to get her groove back. Or maybe just get her groove—finally.
    “So.” Jo set down her cup and rested her chin on her upraised, folded hands. “How does he kiss?”
    “Amazing. Freaking amazing.”
    All three women laughed, and Maggie felt happier than she had in the past six months.

Chapter 9
    M aggie tugged at the neckline of the wraparound kimono-style shirt that her friends had convinced her to buy at a small boutique on Royal. It