“Which is just one step removed from the locker room, I’m assuming.”
He studied her carefully, but she didn’t look miffed. “I figured he’d catch on when I blatantly ogled you.”
Lola grinned again. “You don’t do it in a lecherous way, so don’t worry about it. In fact, I’m up for more—” She cut herself off, appearing slightly hesitant.
Alex figured he could slay this one and barrel right through any sort of reticence on her part. “More FWB?”
“Well, yeah. Sort of. I mean. Yeah.” Her cheeks flushed.
He chuckled, then said, “Last night was killer.”
“Very unexpected. But definitely off the charts.”
They stared at each other, and Alex realized Pete was right—this was downright treacherous territory. They’d not only crossed a line, they’d obliterated it from the sand. Because Alex wanted her now more than ever before.
Luckily, their friend returned with cocktails and menus before Alex delved too much into what that all meant. Pete took the stool next to Lola and said, “Dinner and drinks are on me. Congrats on the promo, Lo. And welcome back to A-Z.”
They all clinked rims and sipped martinis.
She said, “It’s good to be back. And I can’t wait for my family to return from their cruise. I didn’t tell them about the move. Didn’t tell Alex, either. I wanted to surprise everyone.”
“I’m sure you made his year.” Pete smirked.
“No shit,” Alex murmured. Having Lola in his bed made a man want to pound on his chest and let out a triumphant roar. Clearing his throat, he added, “I was shocked to see her at my condo, that’s for sure.”
“I’m shocked you let her stay,” Pete said, with a good-natured laugh. He asked Lola, “On a scale of one to ten, how insane have you made his life so far?”
“I forgot to use one coaster, okay?” she said, with feigned exasperation. “I mean, they’re glass-top end tables. Not like you can’t wipe them down.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “You don’t get it at all, Lo. It’s not that I can’t clean up after you. It’s that I think you should appreciate the fact that I need organization in my life.”
“First,” she reminded him, “I told you that I do respect your need for the neat and orderly in your world. But I also told you that a little CF from time to time keeps things interesting.”
“Ah,” Pete said with amusement in his tone. “Lo and her clusterfucks.”
“It wasn’t a gripe,” Alex contended. “I was just stating the obvious.”
Lola’s voice turned saucy. “If I followed all your rules, how boring would I be?”
Pete whistled under his breath. “Fuck me. Here she goes.”
Alex laughed, because she had him on that one. And knew it. “Point taken. How idiotic of me to have asked you to wear a robe over your nightgowns.”
“When it wasn’t at all what you wanted,” she challenged.
Pete’s brows quirked. “You do realize I’m caught in a sexual-tension crossfire here, right?”
Lola glared at him. Alex’s jaw clenched.
“Just sayin’,” Pete added, clearly entertained. “Guess I should check on those truffle fries.”
He left them alone. Alex took a healthy drink of his martini, then said, “You can mess up my condo all you want.”
She shook her head. “I don’t do it on purpose.”
Alex eyed her speculatively.
She contemplated further.