Page 64 of Forbidden Kisses

She looked at me for a few seconds before saying, "So, you’re sleeping with him, huh? But he also made you breakfast, which means you two are… I don't know… going out? Tell me what happened. I want to know what’s going on."

"I can explain some of it. I literally had the hots for him from the second I started the interview with him." I loved my sister. I could tell her anything—this was a judgment-free zone.

"Hey, I don't blame you. I mean, he's superhot. But he's kind of old, isn't he? Not that he looks it, but he’s got a kid and a good job, right?"

"He's only nine years older than me. But when we’re together, I don’t notice the age difference."

She winced. "Sorry, that sounds like a million years to me.”

I did understand her point of view. When I first started college, I would have considered an almost-ten-year gap monstrous. "He's a good person. I love watching him with Jeremy. One day, I was with Jeremy in the pool, and Duncan joined us. Honestly, sis, I basically melted."

"I can see that. I mean, he's hot with clothes on. I can imagine that in swim trunks, he's even hotter."

"Yesterday, we went to see a movie, and?—"

"And then I called," she said. "I would say I'm a cockblocker, but clearly that didn't keep you from getting down and dirty."

I laughed. "He was very considerate with me. Last night and this morning too."

"All right," she said. "Let me drink another coffee, and then we can make plans.”

I spent the entire day with my sister. We went to the beach and enjoyed the sun, and then we looked at some jobs. I offered to put her in contact with some of the places where I’d waitressed, and she agreed, thank God. I also tried to talk her into moving out, but she flat-out refused.

One thing at a time. When it came to Paula, I had to pace myself. She'd only said yes to changing jobs, though I didn't have to do any convincing. But she wouldn't agree to move any time soon.

Paula dropped me off at my house in the evening and I made myself a salad—Paula and I ate junk food all day on the beach, and it was high time for something healthy. As I sat on the small couch in the backyard with a bowl of salad in my arms, I wondered where everyone was.

Knowing my roommates, they probably went to some kind of party. That was a part of their usual schedule on the weekends. They went out on Friday evenings, slept until late, and then went out on Saturday again and on Sunday too. I'd always beenthe party pooper because I worked throughout my entire law school program. Most of my waitressing shifts were Saturday and Sunday because no one wanted those hours.

Even when I did go clubbing, I usually returned shortly after midnight, sometimes even before. The last few years of law school, I’d really noticed the change in myself. I enjoyed the blissful silence of our small yard. Yeah, my life was amazing and even becoming better.

My phone beeped, and I saw a message from my sister.

Paula: Just got home safe. I think I'm going to sleep again. We ate so much that I'm not even hungry.

Then I saw other messages. Oh my God, Duncan had texted me today. I hadn’t seen them before. I had three texts from him.

Duncan: Hey, gorgeous, how are you doing?

Duncan: You were right about swimming.

Duncan: Text me whenever you've got a free moment.

That was four hours ago. I typed back quickly.

Riley: Hey, sorry, I just saw this. I wasn't ignoring you. I was right about what?

He replied a second later.

Duncan: About the reason so many single women head out to the pool when I’m there.

I burst out laughing so hard that I nearly dropped my bowl of salad.

Riley: How could you tell?

Duncan: Because I started talking to one, and she full-on flirted with me.

My laughter died in my throat.No. What the hell? Just no!