Chance

Chance A Love’s Complicated Novella Copyright © 2022 by Hollis Wynn All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to action persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Cover design: Cover Me Darling LLC Formatting: Alt 19 Creative www.holliswynn.com To Andrea & Crystal – Thank you for all your love and support. I’m thankful to have both of you amazing women in my corner. Contents Spider Webs The G.O.A.T. The Golden Girl Mr. Big the Tiny Cat Demanding Rules So Many Questions Communicate Always Find a Hobby Just Be You Sex is Required Honesty is the Only Policy Friendship First Love the Life You Live Choose the Adventure Leave the Past Behind You Confidence is Key Guard Your Peace About the Author Chapter One Spider Webs Kollyns “I need to confess something, Hen.” “I’m not the defense attorney in this friendship, nor am I a priest, but hit me with your darkest secret, my child.” “It’s been six years since I’ve had sex. I’m certain cobwebs are growing down there.” The line is silent for a few seconds before the loudest squawk rings in my ear. It’s been a long time since I’ve been the one to draw out the most annoying laugh of all time from her. The annoying sound continues until she’s wheezing. “Henley, as my best friend, you are not supposed to laugh at this. You should be supporting me during this dark time! Besides, the fact that I’m even bringing this up is all your fault. If you hadn’t given me that book to read, I would still be focused on work and not when I last felt a penis.” I try to maintain a serious tone, one I usually save for my uncooperative clients, but fail. Fail epically when she tries to ask me questions. “Don’t you?” Squawk. “Have a vibe . . . vibray . . . I can’t breathe!” Snort. Heaving out a loud sigh, I blow my bangs up and groan as I sit up so my feet are touching the floor. This conversation about sex is the most action my bed has seen in . . . well, a long time. “Technically, I do.” “Kollyns Jayne! Don’t start with the technically. You either do or don’t.” Now she’s the one changing her tone. Gone is the hysterical laughter and, in its place, the dreaded “mom” voice. “Fine. If you must know . . . it’s dead. Dry rotted. Batteries corroded. D. E. A. D. Herein lies KJ’s only chance at orgasmic bliss.” She exhales and loudly guffaws as I roll my eyes. I usually power up the computer in my office by six each morning, and I don’t think I’ve seen the evening news in years. When is there time to deal with a busted BOB? Or to go on a date? Hefting myself from the bed, I make my way to the kitchen for my one allotted glass of wine. I put the phone on speaker and set it on the counter next to the fridge while opening the mini bottle and pouring it into my glass. “I can’t believe your vibrator has dried up. More importantly, I can’t believe you only have one. What if someone found out my best friend only had one pleasure wand and she let it die? I would be the laughingstock of . . . well, the entire industry.” “You can scale back the dramatics. I don’t think people in your industry care about my sex life.” “So you say. Unlike you, I refuse to let you become a spinster at this age. Watch the mail because you’re going to get a package soon.” Of course, I am. Henley may be married and have sex anytime she wants, but she still knows all the best toys for a woman. It is her job, after all. I half listen to her as she rattles off statistics and data while I move to the sun porch, settling into my oversized chair. The sky is a myriad of colors, the reds and pinks dominating as the sun sets behind the large trees. It’s a beautiful sight and one I rarely get to enjoy. When I do, this is my favorite spot to relax and watch the day settle into night. Mr. Big, my runt of a cat with one blue eye and one green eye, is curled up on the back of the wingback chair that is officially his. Who cares that I custom ordered the chair just for me? Not him. I gave up trying to sit in it after he swatted me twice and left scratch marks on my arm. “Whatever you say.” I shrug my shoulders even though she can’t see me and watch the sun disappear. “You’re not going to argue with me?” Henley asks. “Nope. I need one anyway. At least you know which ones are the best.” “You’re right. Every girl needs a best friend who owns an adult toy store.” “Can we talk about something other than my lackluster sex life?” I ask her. “Anything fun going on at the store?” She launches into a story about a Bridezilla who scheduled a bachelorette party at the store and is now being a bitch about how she can’t bring outside food and drink—something she knew from the beginning, and it’s included in the contract she signed. Henley has a caterer who she uses and is exceptional, though the bride will have to pay. Add on that the crazy bride doesn’t like the mandatory spend that Henley requires. Considering what most people spend for a night out, her