Friendly remarks

Few days later, Meg received a text from Suzie suggesting they meet for a latte at their favorite café. Grateful for the distraction, Meg agreed.

The cozy coffee shop was bustling with the afternoon crowd when Meg arrived. She spotted Suzie at a corner table, her brunette waves cascading over a crisp white blouse. Meg waved as she approached, admiring how put-together Suzie always looked.

"Congrats on the win!" Suzie exclaimed as Meg sat down. "The sentence was light, you should be proud."

Meg smiled, appreciating her friend's support. "Thanks, it was tough. But enough about work - how have you been?"

Suzie launched into animated chatter about office politics at McCarthy & Associates. "You won't believe the latest drama," she said, leaning in conspiratorially. "Remember that new paralegal, Jake? Turns out he's been having an affair with one of the senior partners!"

As Suzie regaled her with juicy gossip, Meg felt the tension melting away. She sipped her latte, letting Suzie's warm voice and infectious energy wash over her.

After a while, Suzie's tone shifted. "So, any new prospects in the romance department?" she asked with a sly grin.

Meg felt her cheeks flush. "Oh, you know me. All work and no play," she deflected.

Suzie leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh come on, there must be someone catching your eye. Meg fidgeted with her coffee cup, avoiding Suzie's gaze. "you know how it is with work and all."

"Mhmm," Suzie hummed, unconvinced. "Well, what about outside of work? When was the last time you went on a proper date?"

Meg sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "If I'm being honest... it's been a while. A long while, actually."

Suzie reached across the table, squeezing Meg's hand sympathetically. "Oh honey, how long are we talking?"

"Almost two years," Meg admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Between the long hours at the firm and studying, I just haven't had the time or energy to put myself out there."

"Two years?" Suzie gasped. "That's practically a vow of celibacy! No wonder you've been so tense lately."

Meg felt her cheeks burning. "It's not just about... you know. I miss having someone to come home to, someone to share my day with. Someone to hold me at night."

Suzie nodded sympathetically. "I hear you. Those tender moments are so important. But you know what else you need?" She leaned in close, lowering her voice. "A good, hard fuck."

Meg nearly choked on her latte. "Suzie!" she sputtered, glancing around to see if anyone had overheard.

But Suzie was undeterred. "I'm serious! All that pent-up tension and stress - you need someone to absolutely rail you. I'm talking up against the wall, hair pulling, bite marks on your shoulder kind of sex."

Meg felt her whole body flush hot as Suzie continued in vivid detail.

"Imagine strong hands gripping your hips, pulling you back onto him as he takes you from behind. His lips on your neck, beard scratching your soft skin as he whispers filthy things in your ear. You're so wound up that you come in minutes, shaking and crying out his name."

"Oh my god, stop," Meg laughed, hiding her crimson face in her hands. But she couldn't deny the little thrill that ran through her at Suzie's words.

Suzie grinned wickedly. "What? I'm just saying what we're both thinking. When's the last time you had a proper orgasm that wasn't courtesy of your own hand or your trusty vibrator?"

"Suzie!" Meg exclaimed again, dissolving into giggles.

They both broke into laughter, the tension from earlier dissipating in a whirlwind of shared amusement. Meg shook her head, trying to hide her smile behind her coffee cup. "Okay, okay, you make a valid point... I just never thought we’d be discussing my sex life over lattes."

Suzie's eyes sparkled with a playful glint. "Well, it’s about time! You’re such an incredible woman, and you deserve to feel desired. Let’s face it—there are plenty of guys out there who would love to indulge you."

"I just haven’t found the right one," Meg admitted, her tone slightly more serious. As much as Suzie's words ignited something inside her, the idea of letting someone close again felt daunting after so long.

Suzie's expression softened as she saw the vulnerability in Meg's eyes. "I get it, sweetie. Finding the right person isn't easy. But you know what? Maybe we don't need to find Mr. Right just yet. How about we start with Mr. Right Now?"

Meg raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Suzie said, a mischievous glint returning to her eyes, "how about we hit the town tonight? There's this new club downtown, 'Pulse.' It's supposed to be amazing - great music, killer cocktails, and plenty of eye candy."

Meg hesitated, biting her lip. "I don't know, Suzie. It's been so long since I've been out like that. I'm not sure I even remember how to flirt anymore."

Suzie waved her hand dismissively. "Oh please, it's like riding a bike. Plus, you won't be alone. I'll be your wingwoman all night. We'll dress up, have a few drinks, maybe dance a little. No pressure, just a fun girls' night out. And if we happen to meet some interesting guys, well..." She trailed off with a wink.

Meg couldn't help but smile at her friend's enthusiasm. The idea was tempting - a night of freedom, of forgetting about work and responsibilities. Of feeling desirable again.

"I don't know, Suzie," Meg said hesitantly. "A club seems like diving into the deep end. Maybe we could start with something a little more... low-key?"

Suzie considered Meg's words for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully. "You know what? You're right. A club might be too much too soon. We don't want to overwhelm you." She tapped her chin, thinking. "How about we try something a little more modern, but still in your comfort zone?"

Meg tilted her head, curious. "What did you have in mind?"

"Online dating!" Suzie exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "It's perfect. You can dip your toes in at your own pace, from the comfort of your own home."

Meg's brow furrowed. "I don't know, Suzie. Isn't that just a breeding ground for creeps and catfish?"

Suzie laughed, shaking her head. "It can be, if you're not careful. But there are some really great apps out there now. You can take it slow, chat with people before meeting them in person. It's a great way to ease back into the dating scene."

She leaned in, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "Look, I won't lie to you. There are some sleazy perverts out there. Guys who'll send you unsolicited dick pics or try to pressure you into things you're not comfortable with. And yeah, there are catfish too - people pretending to be someone they're not."

Meg grimaced, but Suzie continued. "But here's the thing - you're smart, Meg. You can spot the red flags and protect yourself. Plus, you have me to help you navigate it!"

Meg bit her lip, weighing her options. The idea of scrolling through profiles, exchanging flirty messages, and maybe even setting up a date felt both exhilarating and terrifying. After two years of being out of the game, the thought of engaging with men again filled her with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

"Okay," she said finally, surprising herself. "I'll consider it."

Suzie's face broke into a triumphant grin. "Yes! Just think of it as a fun experiment. You might meet someone who's great company—who knows where it could lead?"

"Or I might just end up chatting with someone who thinks sending me a pizza emoji counts as romance," Meg replied, rolling her eyes but unable to suppress a smile.

"Exactly! And if that happens, you can laugh it off with me over another latte," Suzie replied with a wink. "But on the off chance you do find someone interesting, promise you'll keep me in the loop?"

"I promise," Meg laughed, feeling lighter than she had in weeks.

Suzie leaned back in her chair, a mischievous glint in her eye. "You know what? I'm not going to push you one way or the other. Why don't you take some time to think about it? Club or online dating - both have their pros and cons. Sleep on it, and let me know what you decide."

Meg nodded, grateful for the reprieve. "Thanks, Suzie. I appreciate you not pressuring me."

"Of course! That's what friends are for," Suzie replied with a warm smile. "Now, enough about dating. Tell me about that new Thai place you tried last week. Was it as good as everyone says?"

The conversation flowed easily from there, drifting from restaurants to movies to office gossip. Meg found herself relaxing, laughing at Suzie's animated stories and witty observations. The afternoon slipped by in a haze of coffee and camaraderie.

As the sun began to dip low in the sky, casting a golden glow through the cafe windows, Suzie glanced at her watch. "Oh wow, I didn't realize how late it's gotten! I should probably head out soon."

Meg nodded, surprised at how quickly the time had passed. "Me too. This was nice, though. We should do it more often."

"Definitely," Suzie agreed, gathering her things. "And hey, no pressure on the dating thing, okay? Whatever you decide, I've got your back."