by Piper Rayne
“How about a rain check on that kiss?” I say, trying not to laugh.
“Abe shut your eyes,” Reed instructs, not taking his gaze off me.
“Um…”
“Just one,” he says in a low voice that makes it hard to resist.
Then he slides forward, his strong thigh presses to mine, his hand moves to my neck and his lips land on mine. The kiss is brief but heart-stopping and by the time I’m opening the door to get out of the car, Abe’s cheeks are as flushed as mine.
“Sorry,” I mumble.
“No worries, I’ve heard worse.” He salutes me as a goodbye and I exit the vehicle.
Reed and I both laugh as he walks me to the door of the office tower. I bet Abe has some stories that are better than the Second Date Update ones.
“Don’t you have a job to get to?” I ask when he steps into the small foyer of the office building.
“I’m not sure I’m going to survive waiting until Friday.” He wraps his arm around my waist and hugs me to his body.
“Well, you’ll have to.” I kiss his chin, the stubble from his neatly trimmed beard pricking my skin.
“Keep doing that and I will stalk you.” He squeezes me tighter to his body.
I pull back. “Something tells me you know way more than you should about me.”
I know he has connections to a database that probably shows my underage drinking ticket from high school.
He says nothing which I take to mean he has looked me up. I don’t really mind though because in all honesty, I’d have done the same.
“Have a good day, counselor.” I let my hand drift down his back and take a quick squeeze of his firm ass.
“You’re playing dirty,” he whispers in my ear, my earlobe finding its way into his mouth.
“Two can play that game.” I kiss his lips, short and chaste. “Bye, Reed.”
“Payback is a bitch,” he says as he takes a step away, walking backward. “I’m going to open my door naked on Friday.”
A woman who looks to be in her mid-fifties is approaching the elevator at that exact moment and glances over to him in disgust.
“Sorry, Ma’am.”
She presses the elevator button as Reed and I stare at one another. I wave, and he steps back until the door is in his hand and he’s gone with only a smile.
The woman and I step into the elevator, each pressing the buttons for our floors.
“If I was your age, I’d be showing up in a trench coat with nothing but my birthday suit on under it on Friday.”
The elevator doors open on her floor and I’m too slack-jawed to respond.
I know that things with Reed will probably escalate into his bedroom, or more likely his kitchen table on Friday night and that has me mentally taking inventory of my body. My post-baby body. The one where nothing really went back to where it started.
I cup my breasts, lifting them then letting go, and watch as they fall back down like two sad sacks of flour.
I don’t even turn on my computer after I walk through the office doors.
“CHELSEA!” I scream. “Divorcee dating meeting—stat!”
Chapter Twenty-One
Chelsea walks out of the break room with a coffee in one hand and a donut shoved in her mouth, powdered sugar sprinkled down the front of her blouse.
“What are you doing?” I ask, tossing my bag on the chair in front of my desk. “Those need to leave this office immediately.”
I stomp past her and she follows me in.
“They’re sooo good though. A gift from the new bakery around the corner.” There’s a whine in her voice as she watches me throw them in the trash.
“I need your help and I can’t have donuts around at a time like this.”
She sits down at the table, licking the sugar off her fingers. “What’s up?”
“What’s up is I’m going to be naked this weekend and this body has been consuming refined sugar and complex carbs for the past two years. The only way I’ve worked up a sweat is by eating spicy food or cleaning the bathroom.”
“Naked?” Her eyes light up with mischief. “The steak?”
“Yes.”
“So, the date went well?”
“The date did and now he’s asked me over to his house on Friday.”
“And the plot thickens.” She leans back in the chair and crosses her legs in front of her with a smirk.
“This isn’t some mystery. He’s a man. I’m a woman. We’re both old enough that we’re not holding our V cards, so sex is absolutely on the table for Friday and—”
“Let’s hope it’s on the table. Table sex is all kinds of fun.” She bites her lower lip and I’m sure she’s remembering some escapade she’s had in the past, but I do not want details.
“Can you focus for a second?” I can hear the panic creeping into my voice.
She gives her head a little shake and looks back in my direction. “Vic, when he unwraps you, he’s going to be drooling over what he finds.”
“No, he won’t. I’m pretty sure he’s never slept with a woman who has had a child before. I have five days to lose fifteen pounds.”
Chelsea eyes my coffee and I follow her line of sight. “Shit.” With one last sip to remember it by, I throw it in the trash.
“Only black coffee from this point forward.” She sits up straight in her chair and leans forward, game face on.
I nod.
“We’re going to cleanse.” She stands and heads to her office.
I follow her. “But I shower every day?”
She stops walking and spins around to face me. “Not that kind of cleanse, woman. And you’re heading to the gym with me after work. Tonight, is boot camp.” She resumes walking to her office.
“But last time I went with you—”
She stands behind her desk, her fingers pressed to the hard surface, her gaze on me. “Okay, yes overdid it and had spaghetti legs for a few days, but—”
“Besides, I have class later.”
“Ladies?” Hannah’s voice rings through the office.
“In here,” I say, peeking my head out of Chelsea’s office.
“What’s the scuttlebutt this morning? Chelsea’s date?” She tosses her bag next to mine and takes off her designer coat, hanging it up on the coat hook.
“No date this weekend. It was my cousin’s bridal shower.”
“Oh, that must’ve been fun,” I say.
She raises her eyebrows. “Have you ever been to a fun bridal shower?”
“Mine was fun.” I shrug.
“Because you got all the gifts. Not to mention, my cousin insists on having a super-short engagement and so it was all just thrown together. And she let the guys crash it, so one of these things is not like the others.” She points to herself.
My lips turn down.
“Add on the fact that my family already thinks there’s something wrong with me since my marriage lasted all of two-point-two seconds and I get to re-live that whenever we’re at something remotely wedding related.” Her body shivers. “Hence my weakness to sugar donuts this morning. I’m an emotional eater.”
Hannah glances my way, a huge smile on her face. “Donuts?”
“Don’t waste your time, Vic threw them out.”
Hannah pouts. “No donuts?”
“Nope, and we’re going on a cleanse,” Chelsea says.
“Oh, I want to join.” Hannah sounds like we just said we’re going to Vegas for a girl’s weekend, not beginning a liquid funk. “I have just the person to help us. Wait, why are we doing this?”
Chelsea and I laugh at her train of thought.
“Victoria’s getting naked this weekend.”
Hannah’s neck twists my way. “So, he’s that good?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“Did you kiss?”
“Yes.”
“And?” she asks and both their eyes zero in on me.
“It was phenomenal.”
“Then he’s gotta be good in
bed. I’ve never had a bad kisser be good in bed or vice versa.” She leaves the office. “Okay, I’m calling my guy. Clear our schedules for this afternoon.”
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why I love working for Hannah Crowley.
* * *
Later that afternoon, Chelsea and I follow Hannah into a storefront that looks nothing like a gym. And when I see that the guy who approaches us is wearing a unicorn hat on his head and purple leotard leggings, I’m wondering exactly what the hell I’ve gotten myself into.
“Um,” Chelsea winds her arm through mine. “This is odd. Even for me.”
“Tad.” Hannah approaches him, and they kiss on the cheek and hug. Tad’s gaze lands on us over Hannah’s shoulder.
“These are them?” he asks, eyeing us top to bottom.
Hannah turns nodding at us with a big smile. “These are my girls. Victoria and Chelsea.” She points to each of us as she says our names.
“Pleasure,” he approaches and does the double air kiss on each side of our cheeks, where you never actually make contact with the person. “Excuse the get-up, we’re not your typical sweat center. I like things to be fun.”
“Fun is good,” Chelsea says.
“So…which of you is the desperate one?” He looks between us both.
“This one.” Chelsea thumbs my way.
He winds his arm through mine. “Let’s get started. That ass isn’t gonna lift itself with us just standing here, sweetie.”
I give Hannah my best wide-eyed help me look as I pass her, but she just chuckles under her breath. Traitor.
“So, who’s the guy?” Tad asks, his other hand patting my forearm.
“Um…”
“He was the best man at her wedding,” Chelsea calls out, walking with Hannah behind us.
“Oh!” He turns his head and his gaze finds Hannah for a second. “The body always wants what it shouldn’t. Right, Han?” His eyebrows waggle.
“Quiet, Tad.”
Chelsea moves her finger sideways between the two of them. “What are we missing?”
“Nothing.” Hannah shoots Tad a look of warning. “We’re here for Victoria.”
“Right.” He stops when we reach a long reception counter, takes my hands and pulls them out, taking in my body again. “First. You’re gorgeous, honey and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“Thank you.” I smile at him in appreciation.
“But anyone can use some cleansing and a detox. All that bloating will disappear, and your skin will look ten years younger, fifteen in candlelight.” He lets my arms drop and heads to a cabinet, taking out several bottles and placing them on the counter.
“Three, right Hannah Banana?” he asks, never turning around.
Chelsea and I laugh at his nickname for her, but she glances our way quickly and we rein ourselves in.
“Yes, we’re doing this together,” she says.
He looks over his shoulder. “I love the girl power thing, ladies. Which reminds me, did you secure that venue for the gala? I can’t wait. Zak wanted to head to New York that weekend, but I said, nope, my girl is coming out in style and I need to be there to support her.”
“Tell Zak I’ll make it up to him,” Hannah says, and the warmth and appreciation in her voice can’t be missed.
“Come on now. I love when I get to make things up to my man.” He winks at us while he positions all the pill bottles he’s removed from the cabinet in three different piles in front of him. “’Kay, so here’s the deal. We’ll do a cleanse and you girls come here every night or at lunchtime, whichever you want. Shake and a probiotic for breakfast, sensible lunch and a shake for dinner. Actually, I’ll bring you girls lunch to make it easier, so I know you’re staying on track.”
Chelsea grabs the box that says strawberry smoothie, reading over the ingredients. “I’m all for health, but—”
“It’s good for the body.” Tad winks and Chelsea shrugs.
“You’re awesome, thank you,” Hannah says as she watches him bag up the supplies.
“Well, don’t thank me yet because you’re going into the locker room and changing. I have a class in twenty minutes and you girls are going to be in it.”
“What?” I ask, not prepared.
“Here.” Tad steps around the counter and leads us to a shelving unit filled with workout gear. “Hannah,” he says, throwing some clothes over his shoulder. “Chelsea.” A pair of pants land on her head before she catches them. “Vic.” I’m prepared and manage to catch my clothes. He turns, his finger padding his lips. “Shoes.” His eyes light up immediately. “Sizes?”
“Can’t we just start tomorrow?” Hannah asks.
“No, time is of the essence.” He claps his hands in front of him twice. “We have until Friday, right?”
I nod.
“You get changed and I’ll be right back.” He walks toward the door of the supply room. “Go!” he says, and we scramble to find our way.
We follow the signs to the changing room and each set our clothes on a bench that runs down the center of the room.
“Tad’s nice.” Chelsea strips down in front of us. I don’t know why I’m surprised to see she has zero inhibitions about nudity. “These are so soft.” She touches the fabric.
“We’ve been besties since high school. Opened this gym a few years ago. His partner Zak is awesome, too. They make a great couple.” Hannah folds up her clothes and places them in a nice pile in an empty locker.
I can’t help but notice how pretty and feminine her lingerie is. Lace and satin. Probably La Perla. Trying to hide my cotton bra and panties, I hurry and get in the yoga pants and endorsement apparel Tad gave us.
Reed comes from the same type of upbringing that Hannah does. Is that what he’s expecting of me? A woman who is always put together? God, I hope not.
My phone dings in the locker.
While Hannah and Chelsea talk about Tad and Zak and how they met, I check to make sure the call isn’t from my mom or something to do with Jade.
Reed: Favorite dish?
I fight the smile that wants to stretch across my face.
Me: I’m half tempted to pick a hard dish like lamb.
Reed: Do you like lamb?
Me: Not particularly.
Reed: Ding. We’re a match.
Me: Not many people like lamb, so…
Reed: Are you underestimating our fate?
Me: Um…I’m clearly stating that it’s some sign that we both don’t like lamb.
Reed: Fine. What about duck?
Me: Never had it.
Reed. What about sushi?
Me: Depends where from and please don’t make that Friday.
Reed: Why? I could get all the supplies. We could do it together and then I can eat it off of you.
Me: Cliché alert.
Reed: Fine, you can eat it off me.
I laugh and Chelsea slides along the bench until her hip checks mine.
Me: As much as I like your body, I’m not sure about eating sushi off it.
Reed: Well I am VERY sure I’d enjoy eating anything off of you. Or just eating you in general. ;)
What was a slight tingle between my thighs a second ago is now an incessant throbbing.
“Shit, this guy,” Chelsea says.
I turn the phone away. “This is private.”
“Fine, I’ll leave your kinky ass to yourself.” She stands and puts her hair in a ponytail.
Me: Can we talk about this later?
Reed: We can test all this out on Friday.
Me: You really are relentless.
Reed: Only when it counts.
My stomach flips a few times.
“Girls!” Tad screams into the locker room. “You have nothing I want to see, but if you don’t get your butts out here now, I’m coming in.”
“Let’s go.” Hannah and Chelsea leave the locker room and I sit on the bench staring down at his text, not knowing how to respond.
Me: Gotta go. Have a great day
.
Reed: I’ll be thinking of you.
I shove the phone into my locker, shut the door and lock it, feeling a little overwhelmed by the feelings taking over me. It all seems too quick, too early, too fast. It also seems as impossible to stop as a runaway train.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Thursday night, I arrive home from working out early enough to have dinner with Jade, so my mom could leave for a girl’s night out with her friends.
I prepare my shake and watch Jade eat chicken nuggets as my stomach grumbles. The first day of the cleanse was brutal, but I’m getting used to the feeling of my stomach eating itself.
“How was school?” I ask.
“Good.” She mumbles over her food. “I think I have a crush on Logan.”
Oh boy. Is this stuff really starting already? “I think maybe you like him as a friend,” I suggest.
“A lot of girls have crushes on the boys.” She takes a drink of her milk.
“That doesn’t mean you have to. There’s plenty of time for that.” I walk over and smooth out her hair, wondering if I could be the first mom to stop her kid from growing older. Her innocence is slipping away from me.
“It’s not a big deal. He asked me to go to the carnival with him and his mom.”
I sip my shake, my eyes closing while I try to pretend to myself that it’s a real strawberry shake with whip cream. “What about Henry? He probably wants to go with you.”
“That’s what I told Logan. That Henry had to come with us.”
“What did Logan say?”
“He said he’s not into three-ways.”
My shake spews out of my mouth all over the table.
“Mom!” Jade screeches and we both get up to grab the paper towels.
“Sorry,” I say, taking them from her hands and cleaning up the mess while she sits back down to finish her dinner.
“I told Logan that we do four-ways all the time,” she goes on to say while she watches me clean up.
Please, please hold it together, Vic.
“Four-ways?” I ask.
“Yeah, you, me, Henry and Reed,” she says it in the tone of, like ‘duh mom get a clue.’
“At your age, group outings are a good way to have fun.” I walk over to the garbage under the counter and toss the paper towels in.