“Tom.”
Jen barked with laughter. “Allison Grant, did you hook up an old boyfriend?”
“I really hate that expression. And how do you know what I keep in my nightstand?”
“Oh my God. Sean! Allie had sex. With a guy!” Allie could hear the two of them whooping it up. What? Did they think she was a nun or something?
“All right, so…I guess I really didn’t call to ask about the séance. I mean, I did, but I need some advice on something more personal.”
Jen cleared her throat. “Ask away,” she said in a serious tone.
“First off, is Sean still listening in?”
“Well—”
“Never mind, it’s okay. Maybe he can offer me some advice here, too. From a guy’s point of view.” Pause. “You were right. I did have a close encounter with my ex. But it was strictly a onetime thing.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
“I have to see him tonight at this séance, and we left things a bit…awkward between us.”
Sean must have grabbed the phone away from Jen. “Hey, Allie, no worries! The dude isn’t going to bring it or up or anything.”
“Oh, hey, Sean. How do you know he’s not going to bring it up?”
He laughed. “Trust me. His number one objective is to make you feel comfortable around him. So he can get in your pants again.”
“That’s not happening.”
“That bad, huh?”
“No—never mind. Can you put Jen back on please?”
Jean came back on the line. “Okay, so here’s my advice. If you want this guy to know there’s no way it’s ever going to happen again, then just tell him up front. And then you end it by saying the sex was nice and that you just want to stay friends. Believe me, he’ll practically run away.”
“Cold, man, really cold!” Allie heard Sean shout.
“Nice. Okay. Got it.” Allie felt strange taking this kind of advice from Jen, but who else could she ask? Certainly not Mimi. Her sister-in-law would throw a parade if she found out Allie and Tom had slept together.
“By the way, I’m glad you called. Sean moved a few things into the apartment. You don’t mind, do you?”
“What kind of things?”
“Just a change of clothes, that kind of stuff,” Jen said.
“Oh, sure, that sounds okay.”
“Listen,” Jen said, trying unsuccessfully to muffle a giggle, “I’m down to one sock. Gotta go! And good luck tonight!”
*~*~*
Allie glanced at her wristwatch. Tom was two minutes late. Not that she was worried about him not showing up. Responsibility was his middle name, after all. Plus, he had as much to gain from being at this séance as she did. Two minutes was nothing in the scheme of things. Heck, her watch might even be off.
Zeke caught her staring at the kitchen clock. “I could drive you, you know. You don’t have to go anywhere with that guy.” He sat at the kitchen table pretending he was reading the paper, but Allie wasn’t buying it. Zeke had already read the paper that morning while drinking his coffee. Here’s the thing, big brother, Tom and I had sex, so not much else to worry about there…
Wouldn’t Zeke just love that reply?
She probably shouldn’t ask, but she couldn’t help herself. “Why don’t you like him?”