No Strings

“I will,” he says. “But first answer me.” I should’ve known he wouldn’t drop it.

“Yes, I fixed things. It’s all good.” I mean, technically, nothing’s wrong… so it’s not exactly a lie.

He eyes me speculatively, not buying what I’m saying. “You sure?”

“Yes.”

“Prove it. Invite her over for dinner tonight.”

I bark out a laugh. This fucking kid is too much like me it’s scary.

“There’s not enough food,” I lie.

Brody opens the oven, then slams it closed. “Fix it,” he barks, stalking out of the kitchen.

“In case you forgot, I’m the parent!” I yell after him.

“Oh yeah? Then act like it!” he shouts back, slamming the bathroom door behind him.

I finish cutting the veggies and set the salad on the table, then text Savannah.

Me: Brody thinks you’re not speaking to us.

Savannah: Why would he think that?

Me: He hasn’t seen you since last Friday.

Savannah: I’ll text him.

Me: Or you could come over for dinner…

Savannah: Can’t.

Me: Why not?

Savannah: I’m busy.

Me: Doing what?

Savannah: I’m on a date.

I drop my phone into the sink, and it clangs against the dirty dishes, cracking a plate. This can’t be right… She can’t be… I grab my phone and wipe it down, chuck the plate into the trash, and then type out a response.

Me: What do you mean you’re on a date?

Savannah: Bri asked me to double with her and Marcus.

Me: Who are you on a date with?

Before I hit send, I stop myself, realizing my text sounds a lot like a jealous boyfriend. Although, if Savannah were my girlfriend, you can bet your ass she wouldn’t be on a date with another guy.

I delete the text, then pull up Marcus in my contacts.

Me: Hey, how’s it going?

Marcus: Good, you?

Me: Chilling. What are you up to?

Marcus: Out to dinner at The Cove with Bri, Savy, and Scott.

What in the actual fuck? They set her up with Scott? The guy is a womanizer. He’s a divorce attorney who doesn’t believe in marriage. Of all people, him?

As I’m about to text back, another one comes in from Savannah.

Savannah: I have to go. I’ll text Brody later and let him know everything is okay.

I stare at my phone, wondering what the fuck just happened and how we went from fucking in the gym to her agreeing to go on a date with another guy. I’m still staring at my phone when Brody comes out and informs me that the oven has smoke coming out of it.

“Food’s ruined.” I switch the oven off and grab the pan from inside, throwing it onto the stove.

“Great, what are we going to eat? I’m starved.”

“I’ll make—” But then an idea hits me. “Let’s go out to eat.”

“All right.” Brody shrugs. “Where?”

“The Cove.”

“Can we invite Savy?”

“No, she’s out with some friends tonight. But you never know… maybe we’ll run into her.”

Chapter Fifteen

Savannah

“It’s a shame I didn’t know you during your divorce,” Scott drones on, refusing to drop the topic since I made the mistake of telling him about it. In my defense, he asked me what prompted my move to New York, and I gave him the abridged version. Only I didn’t think about the fact he’s a lawyer, and my vagueness would turn into him questioning me like I’m on trial. Next time Brianne suggests we double, I’m going to laugh at her and then politely decline.

“I could’ve gotten you a nice settlement, even if you were only married for a short time…”

As he rambles on about how much money he could’ve gotten me and how my situation is a perfect example of why couples should never enter a marriage without a prenup, I zone out, thinking about Ben’s texts to me. I might be overthinking it, but it seemed like he was almost jealous. Which doesn’t make any sense since he hasn’t contacted me all week. I figured, after our slipup—times two—he was second-guessing our arrangement and had moved on—and I wouldn’t blame him. He made it clear he doesn’t do commitment, and possibly knocking up your stringless hookup is kind of the definition of commitment. Yet when we were texting, he seemed way more invested in what I’m doing and who I’m with than he should’ve been.

“Savy? I thought that was you.”

My name being called shakes me from my thoughts, and when I look around to see who the owner of the voice is, I find Brody and Ben standing at our table.

“Hey,” I say to Brody, getting out of my seat to give him a hug. “How’ve you been?”

“Good. Haven’t seen you in a while.” I don’t miss the way he side-eyes his dad, who rolls his own like a teenager.

“We’ll have to change that soon,” I promise, needing him to know I wasn’t purposely avoiding him.

“What are you guys doing here?” Brianne asks.

“Dad burned dinner,” Brody answers, “so he suggested we come here.”