One to Love (One to Hold 4)

“He’ll be fine.” Derek cuddled his little boy. “Now go before I change my mind.”

His eyes twinkled, and I knew he was teasing. Regardless, Melissa hesitated until Elaine grabbed her by the wrist.

“Good lord, you two are going to drive me crazy. Enough with all the hermit behavior.” She dragged her friend out the door with Melissa still glancing back at her gorgeous husband and darling infant.

Following, I couldn’t even criticize her. I remembered when Lane was that age. He’d stayed with me at first because I was nursing him, and I didn’t want to leave him for anything. Of course, I didn’t have any reason to leave him—he was all I had.

“He’ll only be an infant once,” Melissa argued, going slowly to the car. “I can’t help it if I hate to leave him.”

“I know how you feel,” I said giving her a smile. “I understand it a lot.”

Her blue eyes met mine, and she ducked, crinkling her nose. “I’m sure Elaine’s right, though. It’s good to get out of the house.”

The Dancing Gypsy was a small place with beaded curtains and colorful accents. A stage was in one corner and a bar in the other. Several wooden, diner-style booths were peppered around the room. I ordered a cosmopolitan while Elaine had a margarita. Melissa got a glass of white wine.

It didn’t take long to get our orders—the place was pretty empty. Still, we were decked out. Elaine had changed into a bright red top over her jeans, while I’d pulled on khaki jeggings and a long-sleeved black tunic. Melissa wore a sleeveless black dress with a fun, flippy skirt and heels.

“I really shouldn’t drink, since I’ve got to feed Dex,” she apologized, taking a small sip from her glass.

“And now you’re done!” Elaine used best teacher voice. “No more baby talk! It’s a Saturday night, Kenny’s getting laid, and you’re having nothing but adult conversation.”

My mouth dropped open, and Melissa burst out laughing. “I got the better end of that deal!”

Glancing around the room, I couldn’t help agreeing with her. The place was pretty empty, and it didn’t look to be filling up anytime soon. Even less encouraging, I was pretty sure the elderly couple in the back corner ordered waffles.

“Get talking, Jones,” Elaine continued. “We’ll figure out the guy situation when the lights go down.”

“Define adult conversation.” Melissa sipped her wine. “Vajazzling? Penis rings? Prince Alberts?”

“I knew a guy with a Prince Albert.” I lifted my drink as Elaine bounced in the seat beside me.

“Now we’re having a girls’ night! What did it feel like?”

She caught me mid-sip, and I almost snorted vodka up my nose. “It was my boss,” I coughed, and her eyes grew wider. “No! I mean, I didn’t see it or sleep with him or anything. Carl at the tattoo place was licensed to do piercings. I knew he had one.”

“What a letdown that story was!” Elaine flopped back against the booth and frowned at me before licking the salt off her glass. “I would love to try sex with metal.”

“If you convince Patrick to impale his peen, I’ll... I’ll—”

“Don’t say anything too outrageous.” Elaine took a big gulp of margarita.

“Get him convinced, and I’ll figure out something,” her friend finished.

I attempted not to snarfle as I sipped my cosmo. The waiter appeared, and Elaine waved her finger in a circle over our heads. “Another round for the table!” Then she turned back to her friend, green eyes narrowed. “You’d better think fast, Jones. Patrick is refreshingly open-minded. As opposed to some people I know.”

“I know you’re not talking about Derek.” Melissa sipped her wine, eyebrows raised. “There is nothing wrong with my man.”

I could believe that. Elaine gulped the last of her margarita. “You know who I’m talking about, and he isn’t Derek.”

“It takes a really long time to heal,” I jumped in.

“How long are we talking?” Elaine rested her head on her hand as the waiter placed drinks in front of all of us.

I lifted mine and took another sip, shaking my head. “Depends, but at least two months.”

“Two months!” She flopped back against the booth again. “Kenny, you are officially the little black cloud at the party.”

My face fell, but Melissa laughed. “You are such a pill! She can’t help it if you’re a nympho.”