Relief washed over her face, and she ducked back into the closet. “She was a one-of-a-kind.”
“No doubt.” I stared out at the fading sunlight over the tops of the buildings across the street. Veronica and I had been roommates in college, though she focused on partying more than anything else. After a few fights over missing food and her late night booty calls, we’d managed to become best friends. Once we graduated, she’d moved to the city to work as an editorial assistant at Vogue while I settled in at Trenton.
She reappeared wearing a short black dress with slits along the waist on either side. I glanced down at my modest cream top, gray skirt, and black flats.
“Yeah, are you sure you don’t want to change?”
“I’m sure.” I lay back on her bed and followed the ducts of the heating and cooling system with my eyes. “You’re going to freeze your lady bits off in that outfit.”
“It’s Friday night, and I want to have some fun after we get done with Link and his pals.” She bent over and zipped up some stiletto-heeled boots. “I’m still single, ready to mingle. How are things with Link, anyway?”
“They’re fine.” I drummed my fingers on my stomach.
“Fine?” She sat next to me. “That’s what people say when I ask them how their trip to pick up dry-cleaning went, not what you should say when I’m asking about your boyfriend.”
Guilt cascaded through me. “I meant they’re great. Things are going well at his job, and we spend time together whenever we can. He’s been really patient with me on the whole sex thing, so that’s good.”
“Why are you still holding out?” She lay next to me, both of us staring at the ceiling.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged.
“Don’t you want to do it?”
“Yes. We’ve gotten pretty hot and heavy a few times. He’s gorgeous and kind…”
“But? There’s definitely a but in there.” She grabbed my hand and laced our fingers together. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong per se. I just don’t want to make a mistake. If I take that final step, I feel like he’ll turn up the pressure on me moving to the city and giving up my job at Trenton.”
“That’s a valid concern.” She squeezed my fingers. “Once he gets a hit of that pussy, he’ll want it all the time.”
I laughed. “Thanks, V. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I guess I’m just being too cautious.” There was no way I was going to tell her about Sebastian. Though she was hiding it, she never cared too much for Link. Any possibility—even one as remote as Sebastian—would flip her busybody switch.
“You do you. If you’re not ready, then he can wait. He’s done a good job so far.”
“Right. Do you think he’s going to get mad about the Amazon trip?” I’d already told Veronica all about it. We talked at least twice a week and texted constantly. She’d encouraged me to fill out the expedition forms and return them so that I’d be all set to make my dream come true.
“Maybe, but if he loves you, then he’ll want you to go.”
Do you want him to love you? I swatted the unwanted thought away. Of course I wanted it. “I’ll talk it over with him tonight.”
“Good. Winter break will be here before you know it. I can’t wait to go shopping and buy all the shorty-shorts in this city for you to wear on your tropical vacay.”
I snorted. “I’ll be working the entire time. Maybe climbing trees, maybe providing analysis on the ground. And have I mentioned all the bugs? I’m not sure shorty-shorts are a wise choice.”
“Wrong.” She sat up. “Shorty-shorts are always the perfect choice.”
“Would it do any good for me to argue?”
“None.” She slapped my thigh. “Now let’s get going. I need liquor in these veins stat.”
The Slush Bar was already buzzing by the time Veronica and I walked in. Only one block from Link’s office building, the spot was perfect for after-work drinks. Patrons sat on benches along the mirrored walls and at the high-top tables scattered through the dark space. Music bumped and whined in the background to a techno beat. The bar was crowded, but Link waved us over to where he and Hal were stationed.
Link pulled me into his arms, his familiar aftershave washing over me. “I feel like it’s been months since I’ve seen you.” His hands roved to my ass and squeezed.
I jumped and stared up into his eyes. “Are you drunk?”
“Nah.” He pointed to a stack of empty shot glasses on the bar. “Just a little pre-gaming before you ladies arrived.” He glanced over to Veronica. “Nice to see you.”
“Sure.”
“Holy smokes.” Hal grinned. “Who do we have here?” He gave Veronica a once-over.
“Nothing for you.” She slid past Link and whistled to the bartender.