"How in the world is being treated so well a problem?"
"Because,"I hedge, looking down, my cheeks still hot."I keep forgetting this is only temporary. I'm going to fail my experiment if this keeps up."
Tishasettles back against her car, her fuchsia-stained lips pursed."Why?"
I scoff."Why do I keep forgetting? Because I've never felt as good as I feel when I'm with him. And it's not only thesex, which, by the way, is still in the oral stages."
Tisha's eyes widen."He hasn't slipped the magic sausage to you?"
"No, and,"I faux-gag,"Please never say that again."
Tishasnort-laughs."No, I mean why does it have to be temporary?"
I stare at her in astonishment."You know why. I need tobreakmy serial monogamy habit, remember?"
"Yeahhh,"Tishadrags out the word."However–"
"’However’ what?"
She flips her hair over her shoulder."I'm just sayin', he treats you like gold,givesyou the best orgasms of your life with no expectation in return, he respects your job, he's hot—he's like the unicorn of boyfriends."
"Except for the part where he doesn't do commitment and has a different woman on his arm every week."
"Yeah, except for that."Tishaunlocks her car and puts her bag on the seat."Havefuntonight. But pencil me in for some girl time this weekend. We've got a lot to talk about."
The whole way home, I think about whatTishasaid.Charlieisacting like the perfectboyfriend, which is a problem. Because while he is havingfunpretending, it's becoming all too real to me.
Iwalkinto Poe's a little after eight to find most of myteamand several of the front office staff occupying various tables and barstools. I wave hi to the mediateamsitting at the same table as last time, notingCharlieisn't among them, and make my way to where Marisol, Vera, Andi, Jewel, and a few other women sit laughing. Colorful drinks in oversized cocktail glasses dot the table, which theypickup and toast her with when she approaches.
"Goalie's in the house!"shouts Marisol.
"First round's on the Captain,"Vera says, motioning to thebarwhere Avasitswith her husband, JJ Jennings. JJ and Ava had grown up together and were reunited a few years back when JJ was traded from the Memphis Ducks to the Red Hawks for what would end up as his lastseason. I'd heard the story of how JJ had once broken Ava's heart, but after being forced together for publicity purposes and having to pretend they got along, they'd healed their rift. They'd married a little more than a year ago in a small outdoor ceremony I'd attended.
"Glad you could come out,"Ava says, pulling me into a hug."Order anything you want. JJ's paying."
JJ winks at his wife."Anything for my love."
"You guys are too sweet,"I sigh.
"Sickening, right?"
Charlie'sbreath ghosts across the back of my neck, raising goosebumps over my flesh. I turn, my breasts brushing hischest. A flame sparks in his eyes at the contact, and my nipples become obvious peaks under the thin Kermit the Frog croptopI'mwearing. He glances down and thequickflick of histongueacross his lips is a zap to my center.
"Hey,"I say, my voice sounding ridiculously breathy to me. I clear my throat and try again."Hi."
I move to the side,puttinga few inches between us.Charliequirks a brow andgivesme an amusedgrinbefore acknowledging Ava and JJ."How's married life treating you?"
"Every day's a honeymoon,"JJ answers, his arm draped around Ava's bareshoulders. She'swearinga racerback tank-style dress that drawsattentionto the muscles in her arms and back. I'd kill topulloff a look like that, but myshoulderswere too wide to look cute in that kind of outfit.
I lift my finger to catch the bartender'sattention."I'll have one of those cocktails my friends are drinking."I point toward the table.
"Rum punch?"sheasks."Sure. Guava, Orange, Pineapple, or Passionfruit juice?"
"Passionfruit,"Charlieanswers for me. The bartender raises a pierced brow and looks to me for confirmation. I nod.
She jerks her chin atCharlie."What would you like?"
"Guinness Blonde, draft, please."
