I let out a half-snort, half-laugh. “I doubt I’ll be able to think of anything but that for the foreseeable future.”
She smiled, but it was shaky. “Okay. Well, you’ll let me know?”
I nodded. “I most definitely will.”
What the hell else would I think about but having the woman of my dreams all to myself for once?
Persy
The Outpost was busy for a Thursday night—at least, it seemed packed to me because I so rarely spent time hanging out in bars. As a single mother, I frequented places that were kid-friendly, but Ryan had volunteered to spend the night with Titus, giving me the perfect chance for a little bit of girl talk.
I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the way I had marched into Ryan’s shop and suggested we have sex again. In front of a friggin’ rock star! What in the hell was I thinking?
That I’m horny for my best friend, that’s what.
“You’re awful quiet tonight, Persy. What’s going on?” Of course, it was Hannah who’d picked up on the fact that I was distracted. “Is everything okay?”
I nodded, half-tempted to wave off her concern, but when I looked up to see both Hannah and Teddy with worried expressions, I knew what I had to do. “I don’t know about okay, but I need some advice.”
Teddy leaned over the pool table where we had gathered as soon as it was available, lined up her shot, and struck the ball with a satisfied smile. She stood tall, arm resting on the cue stick. “Well, Gus is down in Los Angeles with Antonio and Rosie, and Megan and Casey are still on their honeymoon, so you’re stuck with us for advice. Shoot.”
Hannah folded her arms and gave a satisfied nod. “Yeah, shoot.”
“No, you shoot, Hannah. It’s your turn.” Teddy rolled her eyes and handed the stick to Hannah before she turned to me. “You, talk.”
“Yeah, okay.” I nodded and swallowed hard while I worked out what to say. Or how to say it.
“Here, drink this.” Teddy shoved a margarita into my hand and nodded encouragingly.
“Thanks.” I took a long sip of the icy cocktail until a chill popped up over my skin and the heat of the alcohol warmed my insides. “You have to promise that what I tell you never leaves this pool table. Never.”
Teddy nodded and Hannah gave a dismissive wave.
“On the night of the ball, I had sex. With Ryan.”
“Oh shit!” Hannah scratched the felt with the tip of the pool cue and grunted. “You can’t just say something like that mid-strike and expect perfection.” She stood tall and rounded the table until she stood between me and Teddy. “You had sex. With Ryan?” She leaned in close to whisper the last part and I was grateful to her.
“Yes.” I closed my eyes and waited for their reactions.
Teddy laughed and her hand fell down hard on my shoulder. “I always knew something was going on between the two of you. Those looks. Always eating together. You guys are practically married.”
“How was it?” Hannah asked in a quiet whisper. “With the heat between the two of you, I’ll bet you burned up the sheets.”
I opened my eyes and stared at my two friends, who wore matching expectant expressions. “It was a combination of alcohol, formalwear, and flirting—oh, and more than a little love-life complaining.”
“Bull,” Teddy snorted. “Tell yourself what you need to, but it was inevitable.”
“Totally,” Hannah added, eyes wide and excited. “Honestly I can’t believe it took so long. But you did look really hot in that dress.”
“Thanks,” I sighed, because that was just part of the story. “The other day I marched into his shop and propositioned him to do it again.”
“Wait.” Teddy’s eyes widened. “You mean, you haven’t done it again in more than three months? Why the hell not?”
Hannah gasped. “Was it terrible?”
“No,” I sighed. “It was great. Magnificent. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. But that has to be the memories right?” I shook my head. I didn’t want to hear them speculate or worse, fuel my delusions. “That’s why I propositioned him. If it wasn’t as good as the memories, then I can take it back and we won’t ruin our friendship.”
“Do you want to take it back?”
I shrugged. I’d gone back and forth on this issue. Taking it back was the smart thing to do, but I hadn’t taken it back. Yet. “I don’t know, but I do know that I don’t want to lose his friendship. I need him in my life.”
Teddy’s dark brows dipped in confusion. “What makes you think it won’t work out? You just can’t lose him, so what’s the problem?”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re all freshly in love so you don’t remember that it never works out. This isn’t me trying to get you guys to convince me otherwise, this is fact. They all ended badly, all but Ferguson.” It was a sad fact to admit, even to one’s friends, but the truth was the truth. Right?