My One And Only (Very Irresistible Bachelors 5)

She smiled, nodding. “Okay, then, let’s go.”

She put on her coat, and I took my leather jacket. Once we were outside, she added, “You always know what to do when I’m pissed.”

“We’ve been friends for a long time.”

“Should we call David too?”

“No, he’s probably running sprints. I’ll deal with him later.”

We each had our coping mechanisms. Becca put up a wall between her and everyone else while David exercised until he was exhausted.

“So, tell me,” she beckoned.

“He just wanted to annoy me. Said he was bored not coming in to the office.”

“I hope you told him to fuck off.”

“Of course I did. I also added that we’re going to get a restraining order if he shows up again.”

“I don’t think we can do that.”

I chuckled, putting a hand around her shoulders. “I don’t think so either, but I wanted him to understand that no means no.”

“I’m always so on edge when he shows up. Reminds me how shitty it felt to realize he was an ass. Stealing from us. Lying to me. I thought we were in love, you know?”

I knew. It was why Becca was so beside herself whenever he showed his face.

“He’s not going to bother us again.”

“How can you be sure?”

I wasn’t, but I just didn’t want her to worry. If he did, I’d just deal with him when the time came.

I took her to the same coffee shop where I went with Tess the other day. It was chock-full today with teenagers wearing uniforms.

We sat at a table that gave me a direct view of the spot where I kissed her. I instantly felt my limbs relax, like I just downed a shot of tequila. My mood changed while I replayed the kiss in my mind, and then last night.

“What are you thinking about?” Becca asked. “You know what? Don’t even tell me. Just keep doing it. You look happy suddenly.”

“I am.”

She tilted her head, smiling. “You’ve always known exactly what to do to help me and David cool down, but we’ve never figured out how to help you.”

That was because I hadn’t known how to cool down either. But thinking about Tess had this unbelievably positive effect on me.

Becca ordered a latte, and instead of my usual black coffee, I asked for the sugary drink Tess ordered last time. It wasn’t something I’d ever order, but I wanted to do things differently for a change, taste life from Tess’s perspective.

“Okay, now I’m suspicious,” Becca whispered after the waiter left. “You’re changing your coffee order? Did aliens body swap you or something?”

“Ha! Can’t I change things from time to time?”

Becca tugged at her necklace, grinning. “You’ve had the same car for ten years.”

“It works, and I don’t need it in Manhattan. It sits in the garage all the time anyway.”

“I mean, change isn’t exactly your thing,” she said on a laugh.

When we received our order, it became clear why I didn’t like change. This drink was atrocious. Nothing but sugar and milk. I barely swallowed one mouthful. Becca burst out laughing.