“And?”
“From one to ten, you’re at twenty-five.”
He pulled me to him, kissing me again, only letting me go when we heard the front door open.
“Josie, our Uber is here,” Tess called.
“I’ll be right out.”
I walked past Hunter, sending him an air kiss, enjoying that feral glint in his eyes, giving an extra sway to my hips as I moved. I loved getting a rise out of him.
The girls were in an excellent mood, already looking at the bar’s menu on their phone in the car.
“If they have a good DJ and quality cocktails, that’s all I need,” Skye said.
“Don’t forget great finger food. That’s also a must, or those cocktails will do a number on us,” I said.
They exchanged conspiratorial glances, and I instantly knew I’d been right about tonight. They had two purposes. One: have fun. Two: make me spill the beans.
As soon as we arrived at the bar, Skye ordered daiquiris and tacos. The place was relatively full, given that it was a weeknight. I loved the diffuse lighting and low-key music.
“So, anything you want to tell us?” Tess asked.
“What do you mean?” I tried to sound innocent.
Skye whistled. “She’s gonna make us work for it.”
Tess sat up straighter, winking at me. “I don’t mind. Secrets are more satisfying if I have to earn them.”
I felt my ears burn hot, and I didn’t look Tess in the eyes, afraid she might see right through me. Unfortunately, that just seemed to tip her off.
“You and Hunter looked cozy tonight,” Skye said.
Oh, boy. Our daiquiris weren’t even here. How was I supposed to survive this?
“We noticed both of your clothes all over the master bedroom,” Tess added. “And you both had stuff in the bathroom. Your conditioner and body lotions, his shaving stuff.”
“Wow. You noticed all that in the two trips you took to the bathroom?” I asked, just to buy myself some time.
“Don’t be silly. I noticed it on my first trip. The second was just so I could confirm they were actually used, not just put there so people could see them.”
“Of course.”
“Plus, your lips were a bit swollen when you got out of the house. So we’re guessing Hunter didn’t just give you a pep talk when you were alone.”
That was it, I was a goner. I couldn’t lie to them anymore. I also didn’t want to. Being dishonest was so exhausting.
I hadn’t told my family about the arrangement, and I hadn’t told Tess and Skye about the rest. I wanted to be one hundred percent honest with someone.
“Wait a second, is she blushing?” Skye said.
“Yes she is. Holy shit, we’re onto something. Aren’t we?” Tess shimmied in her seat, drumming her fingers on the table just as a waitress placed cocktails in front of us. I looked from Skye to Tess, then took a sip of my daiquiri and nodded.
“You’re having sex. I knew it,” Tess exclaimed.
I dropped my face in my hands, feeling like a schoolgirl sharing with my girlfriends that the boy I liked had kissed me. I felt my face become even hotter.
“So... what exactly does that mean?” Tess asked.