You’ll figure it out later

You roll off Pearl, but immediately circle your arms around her. "This is a lot to take in," you say. "Tonight, can't we just focus on this, on us, and figure out the details later?"

Pearl snuggles back against your chest, her bare butt soft and comforting against the front of your legs. "Yeah, that works. Honestly talking about it was sort of triggering my anxiety. So..."

"So what?" you ask.

Pearl covers your hands with hers, over her stomach. "Are we a thing now?"

There's something in her tone of voice. "Do you want us to be?"

She shrugs. "I'm not sure. I liked what we did..."

"Me too. No, I know what you're saying," you say, validating her feelings. "You're one of my best friends. And I still feel that way about you. Just, I also happen to think you're smoking hot."

"Yeah, I am," says Pearl, flatly.

"Let's see how we feel about it tomorrow," you say. "Or the day after. Or however long it takes. All I know for sure right now is that I want to do this again."

A nod. "Same. Then, friends?"

"Friends," you agree.

The arrangement, even if it's temporary, puts both of you at ease.