Paul offers to show Lacey his dick

An awkward silence ruled. She shifted against the kitchen counter, unsure of how to respond. Her gaze fell to his hand resting casually on the table. It was veiny, the tendons prominent beneath his skin, and she wondered if he had good… circulation. It was a strange thought, and she shook her head. “I don’t think dick pics are attractive for girls, regardless of your angles or packing situation.”

“Well,” said Paul. His hand didn’t move. “I think she would disagree with you.”

Lacey’s fingers gripped the pot she had meant to use to make pasta. Maeve would hate this conversation, she was certain. Anything to do with guys and sex she couldn’t stand, and that was leaving aside all her insecurities about Lacey’s history with men. That didn’t mean she was doing anything wrong, though. She knew she wasn’t into Paul. This was an academic conversation about what girls did and didn’t like. “I’ve never seen a dick pic that turned me on,” she said. “And neither has anyone else. Except gay guys, but they’re the exception that proves the rule.”

Another silence. “I’ll prove it to you,” Paul declared.

The pot felt much too heavy in Lacey’s hand. “What? Prove what?” she said. She thought she knew what he meant, but she was equally certain that he couldn’t mean what she thought he meant.

“I’ll show you what I sent her,” he said. “You’re bi. You’d know if it’s a good picture.”

“Are you serious?” Lacey said. She grimaced. “Don’t be gross. I don’t want to see your dick.”

“I don’t want to show you my dick! You’re saying pictures of them can’t be hot and I’m trying to prove they can. It’s science.”

Lacey finally allowed herself to put down the pot. Her palms were getting sweaty and she didn’t want to break a toe by dropping it. Maeve didn’t even know Paul existed, much less that he was staying with her, much less that they were having this conversation. And she knew her intentions were good. There wasn’t any harm in it. “Fine, you freak. But don’t be weird about it.”

There was a glint in his eye. “Okay, here goes,” he said. He scrolled through his messages until he found what he was looking for.