Emily
“LUNCH WITH A client is no big deal,” I said, sliding my laptop into my bag. “I do these all the time, Jay.”
He laughed. No, more like cackled. “Oh, honey, with that man, it’s a very big deal.”
“Why?”
“After watching big, strong, and sexy intimidate the sparkles out of skinny, wimpy, and sleazy, I went home and read a couple of motorcycle club romance novels to uh… get the lay of the land, if you will.”
I had no idea where he was going with this, but I was already terrified.
“What Link’s doing now, that’s called inviting you on to his turf. He’ll probably introduce you to all his “brothers” and you’ll drink and talk while club whores do the nasty with bikers around you.”
“Wait, what?” I froze.
“Apparently these clubhouses are like big orgy centers. We’re talking sex everywhere. For everyone. You should probably take me with you. For… you know, protection. And maybe research.”
“It’s called fiction for a reason.” And although sticking Jayson in a room full of bikers would be entertaining, I did fear for his safety. “You don’t worry about the bikers being homophobes?” I asked.
“Nah. Link would have my back. I told you, we’ve come to an understanding. Which is why I know this lunchisa big deal.”
“He told you that?”
Jayson rolled his eyes dramatically. “He didn’t have to tell me. Em, the man is sprung on you. How can you not tell? You’re usually a lot more observant than this.”
“He oozes sexual energy. I bet he’s like that with all women.”
“He looks at you like you’re a T-bone steak and he’s a desperately anemic carnivore who’s been forced to live as a vegan.”
“Dramatic much?” I asked.
“Just calling it as I see it.”
“So, he wants to have sex with me. Not interested.”
Jayson laughed. “If it was just sex, I don’t think he’d have bothered threatening Lance.”
I shrugged, still uneasy about that. Yes, Lance had it coming, but it wasn’t Link’s place to threaten my ex. Although, I hadn’t heard from the asshole since, and his absence from my life was nice.
“Do you know why you dated Lance?” Jayson asked, his tone suddenly somber.
Another shrug. “Temporary insanity?”
“Be serious.”
I thought back to four months ago when Lance had asked me out. Why had I said yes? I had plenty of excuses—I was lonely; I’m in my early thirties and can feel my biological clock ticking away; he was attractive—but none of them sounded compelling even in my own mind.
“You dated Lance because he’s safe,” Jayson finally provided.
I turned on him, throwing my hands in the air. “The asshole broke my heart. How is that safe?”
Jayson snorted. “Right. You were such a sniveling mess over him. Thought you’dneverstop crying.”
We both knew the truth. Sure, I’d shed a few tears over the douchebag, but they had far more to do with anger and betrayal, than some broken organ.
“Lance didn’t break your heart, because you never even gave it to him. That’s why he was safe. You could date him, keep him at an arm’s length, use him to occasionally dust the cobwebs off that cucumber canal of yours, but you never had to worry about catching a feeling.”
“Cucumber canal?” I asked.
