"What the fuck!" I yell angrily as I leap off of Naomi. Unfortunately for me, I didn't secure my towel beforehand. Shit. Now I'm standing naked in front of my best friend and my boss. Fuck me now. I glance over at Naomi to see her licking her lips hungrily. So maybe it's not that bad. Of course JJ has to go and interrupt our little moment.

"Emily, I can see your breasts completely. And I can see-" his voice takes on a hushed tone "-your you know."

"Thanks for the update, Jay," I mutter as I pull the towel back around me. "Why are you here anyway?"

"Well, I didn't know if you knew that the rehearsal dinner is starting in," he looks at his watch, "twenty-three minutes. I just wanted you guys to know. I had no idea you two were in that kind of relationship."

"We're not," interjects Naomi nervously.

"Right, right," says JJ with a knowing smile. "Of course you're not."

Naomi scowls, "Wait outside for me, ok Jones?"

"Right, outside, ok. I'll just be out there waiting. So if you need me, that's where I'll be. Just outside wai-"

"JJ!" Naomi and I say at the same time.

"Sorry, I was getting locked on, wasn't I?"

I reach over and pat him on the arm, "Just go outside, Jay; we'll be there in a second." He nods and goes outside, leaving just Naomi and me. We stare at each other for a few seconds.

"Well this is awkward," Naomi says trying to break the silence.

"Yeah. Listen, about what you said earlier-"

"It was stupid, yeah I know," she interrupts.

"No, wait for me to finish, ok? I actually think it's really sweet and adorable that you want to wait. I think we should wait too, yeah?"

A huge grin explodes on Naomi's face. She strides across the room and takes my face in her hands before firmly placing a lingering kiss on my lips. "That doesn't mean we can't do some heavy make-outs, does it Fitch?"

"I don't know, Campbell, I usually don't kiss on the first date."

"But this isn't a date, is it Ems?"

"Guess not," I say as I lean in to kiss her again. We kiss languidly for what seems like an eternity, but in reality we're soon broken apart by the sound of the door.

"Jesus, JJ!" I say exasperatedly, turning towards the door.

"Not JJ," says Effy with a smirk. JJ shuffles into the room behind her.

He begins babbling, "I tried to get her to stop, but she was unstoppable. Like a raging crack monkey! Or a kangaroo on acid! Like your mum when she's on my co-"

"JJ, you're getting locked on! And Effy, I'd really appreciate it if you'd let me get dressed before you come back in. Not all of us are comfortable in the nude."

Naomi snorts and adds, "Yeah, Ef, not all of us like our ass-cheeks hanging out. Let Emily and I get dressed, yeah?"

Effy smiles, "Yeah, sure, I'll just be having a smoke. But we are going to talk, Naomi."

Effy shoos JJ out of the door. I think it's finally time to get dressed.

"I'll be in the bathroom putting on my clothes, ok?"

"Sure. I'll, uh, I'll change out here I guess."

We quickly get dressed, apply a little makeup, and then stand nervously in front of the door.

"So what exactly are we going to say we were doing?" Naomi asks apprehensively.

"I have no idea. Um, you were bitten by a snake on your lips, and I was sucking the venom out?"

"Ha, ha, Fitch. Funny. I'm just wondering how to tell my fucking best friend and HR VP that I'm interested in one of my employees. My fucking PA."

"Look, we'll just tell her that we like each other and that's all she needs to know, yeah?"

"That's well good and everything if we're trying to sound like we're in first grade. 'We like each other', Jesus Christ that sounds infantile."

"Do you have a better suggestion? Hmm?"

"Ok, we'll do it your fucking way."

I grab her hand and kiss the back of it. "Look, it's not like we're not both consenting adults. You're out, I'm out, and Effy and JJ aren't our parents. It'll be fine."

She nods, then we head out to face the music. Effy is leaning against the wall looking smug.

"So, you two then?"

Naomi takes a deep breath, "IlikeEmilyandEmilylikesmesowe'regoingtotrydatingpleasedon'ttellanyone,ok?

"Pardon?"

I jump in, "Naomi and I have, er, feelings, for each other and we're going to act on those feelings. We'd be happy if you two were, well, discreet."

Effy breaks into a grin, a real one that makes her look more kind and approachable, and punches Naomi in the arm. "Get it, girl!"

"We'd be best going to the rehearsal dinner now," JJ says anxiously, "We don't want to be late."

I'm so fucking sexually frustrated. Naomi completely turned me on, but I didn't get my release. Damn. I can't keep from glancing at her during the dinner. She looks gorgeous. Katie and Effy are glowing, too. They look really happy, and I'm beginning to realize that if I have to give Katie up to someone, maybe it wouldn't be so bad if it was Effy. For her part, she's smiling genuinely, not in that know-it-all smirk of hers, and laughing with the guests. There really isn't much point in having a rehearsal dinner since there's only about twenty-five people, but hey, it's their decision.

We're finally finished with the rehearsal dinner, it took fucking ages. I'm to go with Katie, Thomas, Cook, and assorted friends and relatives to her bacherlorette party while Naomi, Panda, Freddie, and JJ go to Effy's. Effy and Katie kiss goodbye, presumably for the last time until the wedding, and then we're off. I can't helping thinking about how I wish I could kiss Naomi as I watch them practically mauling each other with the intensity of their kiss. I'm a bit sad that I can't go with Naomi, but she obviously wants to be at her best mate's party.

So this bacholerette party officially sucks ass. There's only one club around here, and yes, it's also a strip joint. Effy ended up coming here too, big surprise considering the panoply of choices. Katie and Effy aren't even paying attention to their drinks or the strippers, they're too busy staring into each other's eyes or some other gay shit like that. I grab my margarita and make my way through the pulsing crowd to get to Naomi.

"Hey," I say, slightly out of breath.

"A little winded there, Fitch? Don't have much endurance, do you."

I wink at her and say seductively, "Sure I have stamina. When it counts that is."

"Mmm, sounds good Fitch."

I lean up to kiss her, but she pulls back. "No, Ems, not here. Not with your sister watching and half of my employees. How would it look if I were seen kissing my PA."

I pout, sticking my bottom lip out. "Naomi, you screwed me over earlier by not screwing me. Don't fuck me over now, too!"

"Jesus Christ, it's all about the sex with you, isn't it. Keep it in your pants."

I laugh, and pull her towards the bar, "We need to get you a drink. What do you want?"

"Um, sex on the beach."

"Me too, me too. But what drink do you want?"

"Ha ha, Fitch. Real funny."

"I try. I crack myself up."

"Good to know at least one person enjoys your lame jokes."

I punch her shoulder, "Don't be mean, Campbell, you're ruining my self esteem."

We get her a drink, and then I pull her towards the dance floor. "Dance with me, Naomi, please?"

She shakes her head, and looks around nervously. Panda and Thomas are at a booth in one corner; JJ, Cook, and Freddie are watching the strippers; and Katie and Effy are immersed in each other. "Ok, Fitch, one dance."

I begin to sway to the beat of the song. I grind up against Naomi who moans loudly into my ear. Maybe it isn't the best idea to get us so turned on when we both know we're not going to fuck later. I push this logical idea out of my mind as I continue to dance.

"Jesus Christ, Ems, you're killing me," Naomi gasps into my ear. "I want you so badly."

I turn around and press a kiss to her neck, "Well you're not going to have me, so you better get over that."

"You're such a fucking tease, Ems," she says breathing raggedly.

"Oh, I know," I reply with a grin.

"Two can play at this game," she mutters. I feel her hands snake up my sides, reaching under my shirt. I lean back against her body as the song continues to play.

"What are you two doing?" Effy says with a scowl.

Naomi leaps away from me as though she's been hit with a hot poker. "Jesus, Effy, you scared me."

"Yeah, well you two were in your own little world. Speaking of which, you guys need to be careful. Anyone could see you."

"Yeah, we know. So how goes the party?"

"Fine, Katie's in the loo."

Naomi looks pretty flustered still, so I suggest we go and sit down. Once we're seated, a stripper immediately comes over and offers Naomi a lap dance.

"No thanks," she says politely.

"Are you sure?" the stripper says in a husky tone. "I'd be more than happy to do it."

"I'm good actually, but thanks anyway."

"Free of charge for you." She leans over Naomi, completely exposing her tits as in an attempt to straddle her, an attempt which Naomi valiantly tries to refuse.

This bitch needs to give it up. "Look, ho, listen up and listen good. She does not want one of your lap dances, she probably wants not to get an STD. So take your skanky ass elsewhere. Ok, bitch?"

The stripper, excuse me exotic dancer, huffs and walks away, calling out, "You'll regret it!"

Naomi turns to me, biting her lip. "You stood up for me."

I can't tell if she's happy or mad about it, so I smile and say lightly, "Yeah, of course."

"That was so fucking sexy. Do you know what I want to do to you right now?"

"Don't tell me, I don't think I can stand not doing anything. But I do want to wait, so we're not just going to screw that."

Naomi puts on a feigned look of shock, "Sex, Fitch? I was going to say take you out for ice cream, but no, you had to make it dirty, didn't you?"

"Ice cream, eh? Think we can get some now?"

"I don't know, but I thought I saw a big ice cream cone sign a few miles from here."

"Well, let's go then. I'll go tell Katie and Effy. Wait, should we be leaving them at their bacholerette parties?"

"It's fine, not like they're alone or anything. And now I really want some ice cream, so let's go."

I make our goodbyes to Katie and Effy, and then we take a cab to the ice cream shop. And strangely enough, it was open at 11.30. Weird, huh.