“It’s not the same for men. When women buy dildos, it’s a symbol of eroticism and empowerment. Some bloke going into a sex shop and buying a fleshlight has much seedier connotations.”
I tilted my head as I sat back. “I don’t know. The image of you going to town on a fleshlight is very erotic, in my opinion.”
Neil gaped at me. “Afric!”
I chuckled loudly. “What? I’m joking. Well, kind of. But you’re right. There is definitely a discrepancy between men and women in that area, but there shouldn’t be. Everyone is someone’s cup of tea, you know?”
He glanced at me, an odd expression on his face when he said, “Yeah, I know.”
“Neil, introduce us to your friend,” came a voice, and we both looked up. Leanne and Callum stood before us, a handsome couple if ever I saw one. They had that glossy attractiveness that marked them as celebrities. I suspected it was down to being able to afford fancy skin treatments and personal stylists the rest of us didn’t have access to.
Next to me, Neil sat up a little straighter.
“Oh, hi, um, this is Afric,” he said as both of them took me in with interest.
“I’m actually a friend of Michaela’s,” I said. “I met Neil through her. It’s great to meet you both, though. I’m a big fan of the show.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Leanne said, her eyes going from me to Neil and then back to me. “You wouldn’t happen to be the friend Neil’s been sending selfies to?”
I laughed and looked at Neil. “You’ve been telling people about the selfies? That was supposed to be our little secret.”
Neil rolled his eyes. “Don’t listen to her. There’s no secret.”
“Or is there?” I went on, waggling my eyebrows, and Leanne and Callum both laughed.
“Well, it’s nice to finally meet you, Afric,” Callum said. “Neil hasn’t shut up talking about you the whole time we were in New York.”
“I was not—” Neil began to protest then gave up when he realised Callum was just trying to embarrass him.
“I’m not surprised. You are kind of obsessed with me,” I said.
At this, Neil laughed and shook his head. “You’re all horrible. I’m going to get another drink.”
“You said I wasn’t to let you have anymore because of the jet lag, remember?” I said as he stood.
“I know, but one more won’t kill me. Do you want another?”
“Yes, but no more canned cocktails. I’ll have a beer this time.”
Neil looked to Callum and Leanne. “What about you two?”
“I’ll come help you,” Callum said, ushering Neil away while Leanne sat down across from me. I had a feeling I might be in for a bit of an interrogation. It was clear that both she and Callum were protective of Neil.
I watched as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the edge of the table as she surveyed me. “So, how long have you two been friends?”
“Not long. Three months, maybe?”
“Do you like him?”
“Yes, I like him a lot,” I answered honestly.
“Good.”
I started to smile. “Anything else you’d like to know?”
“No, just don’t hurt him. Neil’s a sweetheart.”
“Um, we’re just friends. This isn’t—”
“It’s none of my business what it is or isn’t. Just be kind to him. He deserves someone who’s kind because he’s the kindest, most generous person I know.”
I glanced across to the bar where Neil and Callum were grabbing our drinks. “Yeah, he is,” I whispered before looking back at Leanne. She smiled at me.
“I like you.”
“I like you, too. Well, I like what I’ve seen on TV.”
“Then you like the highly edited version of me. Maybe by the end of tonight, you’ll discover whether or not you like the unedited version,” she quipped just as Neil and Callum returned. Neil slid in next to me, and again, his arm brushed mine. I wished I could keep my arm resting against his. The contact was shockingly addictive.
“You okay?” he whispered, his breath washing over my cheek.
I nodded. “I’m great.”
“What did Leanne say to you?”
I tapped the side of my nose. “Sorry. I can’t break the girl talk code of silence.”
He narrowed his eyes. “There is no such thing.”
“Oh, yes, there is.”
“Okay, everyone,” Michaela announced loudly from where she stood by the bar. “Isaac’s on his way up, so we need to all be quiet.”
I made a show of zipping my lips as I grinned at Neil. He didn’t look impressed that I wouldn’t tell him what Leanne had said. The entire place hushed, and someone dimmed the lights. I felt Neil’s attention in the darkness and glanced at him again. His eyes were on my profile, and there was a look on his face I hadn’t seen before. It was a sexy look like he was imagining doing sexy things to me, but that couldn’t be true … Could it?
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I whispered.