No One Else (The Ladies Who Brunch 2)

“Good to see you, man.” Nick greets me as soon as he takes a seat in the booth across from me. We shake hands and settle in as the restaurant buzzes with conversation around us.

It’s Friday night, and Oliver is staying the night at my mom’s house again. His friend that lives on her street wanted to have a sleepover, and my mom offered to host it at her house. I told her she didn’t have to, especially since she takes Oliver every day for me before and after school, but she insisted.

“It’s not a big deal. Now that Oliver is in school, I miss our time together. And you deserve some adult time too. Maybe you should see what Amelia is up to?” she said with a suggestive lilt in her voice.

The truth is, I really contemplated it for a good hour, wondering if she would be available. But then my brain had me retreating and remembering not to send the wrong message. Taking her out to dinner would imply that we are dating, and we’re not. We’re just two friends who occasionally enjoy a meal or two together and partake in oral sex on our lunch breaks.

That’s not dating—that’s consensual fucking, and every person needs to eat to survive.

So what did I do instead of seeing if Amelia had plans tonight? I texted her brother.

I’m not gonna lie, sitting across from him now after knowing what I’ve done to his sister is making my stomach churn just slightly. But like I told Amelia, there’s no sense in really telling anyone what’s going on with us if it’s just about pleasure.

And besides, I’m not really sure how Nick might react.

We’re not best fucking friends, but our friendship does have a history, the kind that bonded us through shared experiences and mistakes early on in life.

Fooling around with his sister might have been something he could overlook when we were still in our twenties. But we’re in our thirties now, and I’m not sure what the cut off is to qualify what Amelia and I are doing as inappropriate or boundary crossing.

“Thanks for coming out. I was sure you’d have plans with Elena tonight, so I was surprised you could come.”

“Oh, I’m meeting up with her later. She had to chaperone some event at her school for her extra duty hours, so I figured I could have a couple beers with you in the meantime and then spend some time with my girl later on.”

The waitress comes by, and we order a couple beers and two appetizers to share.

“Your girl? Are things getting serious then?”

Nick can’t even hide his smile. “Yeah, they are. I’m actually going to introduce her to my parents in a few weeks. Amelia is coming over for dinner too, so it’s kind of a big deal.”

“Sounds like it.”

“What about you? Still on the vagina ban?”

I look off to the other side of the restaurant, laughing but avoiding his eyes. “Well…”

“Since you’re avoiding looking at me, can I assume that means no? Did you find a hot little piece of ass to help you loosen up?” I still don’t answer him, but I can feel his eyes locked on me, waiting for a response. I don’t give him one, so he keeps prodding. “Come to think of it, you do look a little more relaxed, not as uptight, like someone may have removed the stick from your ass. I bet it was like the Sword in the Stone, and only the right woman could remove it, right?”

“Jesus, Nick. Stop talking.”

He bursts into laughter, slapping the table. “Then spill.”

“I may have found a friend to help ease some aggression, but it’s casual,” I reply, hoping he accepts that and doesn’t keep digging.

“You don’t want to date her?”

“Ha, no.” Then why are you mad you didn’t get to have lunch with Amelia for the rest of the week, huh, Ethan?

After eating together on Monday and Tuesday, I was eager to continue our meals on Wednesday, but I got called into an emergency hearing that morning over a custody battle. From then, shit just spiraled. Luckily, since I finally had Amelia’s phone number, I was able to text her and let her know I would have to work through lunch for the rest of the week to deal with everything. She understood, of course, but deep down, I was a little disappointed.

And I wonder if she was too.

“Why not? It’s been years since Monica, man…”

“Look, you don’t get it. It’s not just me that stands to be disappointed, Nick. Oliver risks getting hurt too. He’s already had one woman leave him, a woman who is supposed to love him unconditionally and be there throughout his entire life. She was supposed to be the only woman who would never let him down, but she did. I already know he’s going to be screwed up in multiple ways from that, so the last thing I need is to introduce him to a multitude of women that all have the potential to do the same.”

He nods slowly. “Okay, I get that. But you’re telling me you don’t ever plan on dating?”

Originally that was my mindset just after the divorce. But now, I’m not so sure. “Honestly, I don’t know. I just know that it’s complicated, and I’m trying to figure things out as I go.”

“So does this friend of yours know that things are casual? I mean, in my experience, women tend to agree to casual at first and then expect more down the line.”

Fuck, I hope Amelia doesn’t get it twisted. I only gave myself permission to pursue her as long as it remained physical between us. But then she showed up in my office, put me in my place, and suggested we get to know each other better. And now, I can’t seem to stop myself from doing and wanting the complete opposite—wanting and needing her, craving her company—and it’s been a long fucking time since I’ve felt that way about a woman.

“Yes, she’s aware. And I’m not saying it can’t turn into something more, but I also don’t want to give her false hope. So, for now, we’re just getting to know each other and reaping the physical benefits.”

Nick shrugs. “Can’t argue with that. And hey, if things work out, perhaps you two can go on a double date with Elena and me sometime?”

I cringe internally. First, I’d have to admit that it’s his sister I’m planning on fucking sideways all over her office. Once he finds that out, I’m not so sure that offer will still stand.

“Yeah, maybe,” I reply, appeasing his suggestion and then turning the conversation to safer topics. “So how about them Cowboys?”

His head falls back, and boisterous laughter emanates from him. “Dude, why on earth do you insist on supporting a team that’s only going to break your heart every year?”

Chuckling, I drain half of my beer. “It’s about loyalty. I’d rather be loyal than a bandwagon fan.”

“Hey, I’m not a bandwagon fan,” he admonishes.

“The only reason you cheer for New Orleans is because Maddox Taylor is the quarterback.”

“He’s fucking awesome, Ethan. People are saying he’s the next Tom Brady.”

“Tom Brady is overrated too,” I fire back, smiling around my beer. “And Maddox is also notorious for taking advantage of his fame. He’s constantly in the press for partying and enjoying his stardom.”

“Wouldn’t you do the same?”

“Nah. If I got paid that kind of money to play football, I’d live and breathe it and wouldn’t let anything derail my priorities. Are you saying you’d act like him?”

“Not at all. I like my quiet life too. I just want a good woman, a nice house, and a family. I think those are the things that make you truly rich.”

“Damn. Well, when you put it like that, it sounds so simple.”

“Yeah, because it is.”

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