Page 24 of Foul Territory

“Your need to be pragmatic is annoying.”

“You can call Charlie to fill your head with romantic fantasies. You have me and Wren to keep you safe and sound in reality.” She pats my arm. “You should at least ask him what he looks like.”

“I’m sure that will be an accurate description and not exaggerated at all.” I roll my eyes.

“I doubt they would lie outright. Stretch the truth maybe, but why lie about your hair and eye color?”

“True.” If he has dark hair and brown eyes, I’m out. There’s a reason I’ve tried to only date blonds the past few years.

“Can you video chat in your forum?”

“I am not doing that,” I say, shaking my head.

“Why? Whoever is on the other end would lose their mind when they see you on the screen.”

“You think? Even when I’m wearing my face mask and reading robe?” I joke. Reading in my bright pink robe is like being wrapped up in a fuzzy blanket. It’s helpful when you get to a part of a book that requires pacing the floor. You can focus on the book and not holding your blanket in place. It’s honestly life changing.

“Yes, because that’s your thing. It makes you happy. And if it makes you happy then whoever you’re with will like that too.”

I drop my head into my hands and groan. “I’m so pathetic. I’m a senior in college and the highlight of my day is putting on my pajamas and reading a book.”

“I said it makes you happy. You are also happy when you’re at work, hanging out with the girls, or working on your latest experiment in our bathroom and making a mess everywhere,” she teases.

“I cleaned it up,” I grumble.

“My point is you are not pathetic. You’re incredible. And Joe and whoever this online guy is will see how amazing you are too. Do you know what you’re doing for your date?”

“Maybe dinner or coffee and dessert. Somewhere we can talk.” I shrug. He didn’t give me any details. He only said to dress casually.

The front door creaks as it opens. Hart, Koa, and Nash enter the living room laughing. Hart drops his bag by the stairs and heads straight for Lauren.

“Smells good in here,cariño,” he says, giving her a quick kiss on the lips.

Nash pops open the oven and Hart smacks him on the arm. “What? I just wanted to take a look. Damn.”

“Be patient,” Hart scolds him.

“It’s almost ready.” Lauren stands and offers her seat to Hart. “You can hang out here with us to wait or come back in a few minutes.”

Koa and Nash choose to sit in two of the empty seats at the table, while Hart heads toward the closet in the hallway and grabs an extra folding chair for himself. We shuffle the chairs around the table to make room for everyone.

Somehow I end up sitting next to Koa. His thigh brushes against my knee, and while it was an accident the results are the same. My skin grows hot to the touch and heat slowly travels throughout my entire body.

Pressing my palms on the table, I begin to stand. Koa’s fingertips graze over the top of my thigh, halting my movement.

“What do you need?” he asks. His warm brown eyes meet mine.

I need to get away from you because every time you’re close to me, I want you even closer and I can’t allow myself to want you again.“Water. I need more water. Do you want something to drink?”

“I’ll get it.” Koa stands and I’m gifted a moment to breathe.

“What’s this?” Nash asks, pointing across the table. His eyes focused on the notebook Lauren was writing on. I snatch it off the table before anyone can read it.

“Nothing,” I answer swiftly.

“Uh, a story I’m working on,” Lauren says at the same time as me.

I glare in her direction. She’s always getting after me about giving away more information than necessary. She should know better. I can’t help it. I’m a Southerner. It’s in my genes to overshare. It’s what we do. I have to work hard not to tell my life story tostrangers.