Page 13

HALLIE

“ D oes he not have any social media at all?” Lily whines, reaching for the wine bottle.

I’ve opted for whiskey instead.

“Nope. Nada. Just trust me—he’s sculpted like a Greek god. Hung like one too. Ink on every inch of his skin. And the mouth on him? I’m pretty sure he could get me off with his words alone.”

“You’re blushing!” she squeals, her blue eyes lighting up.

I bite back a grin.

“A girl can fantasize. It was one time. That’ll be enough to keep me going.”

She rolls her eyes and flicks her long blonde hair over her shoulder.

“Does it have to be only one time? I mean, you didn’t even get to the good part, right? You’re not working tonight... text him.”

I shake my head.

“No. I can’t. It’s too complicated. His brother is my boss. And who’s to say he even wants me again? He doesn’t strike me as the type to go back for seconds.”

Lily frowns and taps her rings against the rim of her glass.

“Give me your phone.” She holds out her hand.

“No!”

“You’re not telling me something. You can’t sit still, and you’re twirling your thumbs. Spit it out.”

I let out a huff. The only downside to having a best friend is she can read me like a goddamn book.

“He texted me earlier today.”

She grins like it’s Christmas.

“Saying?”

“Hi, trouble. You okay?”

I chew the inside of my cheek. I don’t know what I expected. More? Less? Nothing?

Resting my chin on my palm, I wait for her verdict.

“And you replied what?” she asks.

“Nothing.” I scrunch my face up. “I messed up, didn’t I?”

She nods, eyebrows raised.

“Yeah. You did. Reply to him.”

I don’t want to admit I got scared. That I assumed he’d be done. I bailed on him. He didn’t even get inside me. I figured he’d lose interest.

And now I feel shitty for assuming that. I guess I haven’t had many experiences that proved otherwise.

Men usually want one thing.

Except Conan is asking if I’m okay.

“He called you trouble. That’s cute. Does he know what else you get up to?”

My eyes go wide.

“No.”

“I bet he’d find it hot. He loved your car, right?”

I nod.

He did. And he made me laugh. Made me feel safe.

Dammit. Why didn’t I text him back?

“It’s not too late to reply. Tell him you were working. You seem giddy about him—don’t ignore your gut.”

I sigh and unlock my phone, staring at the message.

“What do I even say?”

She shrugs and lifts her glass of red.

“Just be you. Sounds like he’s into that.”

Chewing my lip, I type.

Me

Hi, beastie. Sorry, got caught up at work. I’m good, thank you. How are you? And are you looking after your stitches?

I hit send and down the rest of my whiskey, heat rushing to my cheeks as a vivid image flashes back—me spitting whiskey into his mouth. Right here. On this damn kitchen floor.

“Ew. You guys did it here, didn’t you?”

A sly smile pulls at my lips.

“Maybe. Maybe it was right on that chair.” I point at her.

“Ugh. Don’t. I need to get laid, Hallie.”

I laugh and turn my phone screen face down, already itching to flip it back over.

“Ben is single now,” I joke.

“Ew. Absolutely not. I wish Conan had thrown him through the window. Asshole deserved it.”

“Yeah, but it was funny enough without me having to pay for a new window.”

A pit curls low in my stomach.

“I have extra money this month from my extra shifts, I can pay you back.”

Lily places her hand over mine.

“Hallie. Don’t worry about me. I’m good. Just take care of what you have to and pay me back when you can. I’d rather you didn’t nearly kill yourself in that car.”

A shadow flickers across her face.

“I haven’t raced in weeks.”

She sighs and squeezes my hand just as my phone vibrates on the table. She hates that I street race. Even though I’m pretty damn good at it, it scares her. That’s why she gave me the money, she’s scared I’ll enter again.

“Yeah, but all it takes is a split second. I need you, Hallie. Now read that text before I explode with excitement. I have to get back to the gallery soon. I can’t live with the suspense.”

I chuckle and pick it up, a smile spreading across my face when I see his name flash on the screen.

Beastie

I would have preferred it if you checked my stitches rather than my brother. He didn’t call me a good boy. It’s just not the same.

I giggle just as another message comes in.

Beastie

I’m good, though. You did a good job on it. Thank you.

My heart flutters.

“What did he say?” Lily asks.

I read them out, and she grins.

“Cute.”

I nod. He kinda is.

Me

You’re welcome. And good boy for being brave having Dr. Quinn check them.

I watch the screen. He’s typing.

My stomach flips.

Beastie

You really are trouble, aren’t you?

Me

Maybe…

“You want a ride to work? I fancy going for a drive,” I ask Lily.

As soon as the words leave my mouth, Bertie bounds into the kitchen and plops at my feet.

“I think he wants to come.”

His tail wags like crazy and Lily jumps up, ruffling his head.

“Sounds good. Why don’t you swing by and see lover boy?” She wiggles her eyebrows.

“No! We’re friends. That’s it.”

And I have no clue where he actually lives.

She rolls her eyes and grabs my glass—thankfully I’ve only had a few mouthfuls.

“Flirty friends. Who’ve had each other’s genitals in their mouth. Yeah. That’s what friends do.”

“Lily!”

“What? It’s true!” She laughs, arms snaking around my shoulders from behind.

“I don’t want anything else. Ben’s put me off that for a long time. Conan is just… a friend.”

“Whatever you have to tell yourself, Hallie.”

I get up and grab my coat, but not before glancing at my phone again. A familiar ache pinches my chest when I don’t see his name.

Maybe it is for the best.

Or maybe…

Me

I’m going for a drive… want to join me?

I stare at the message. Then delete it before I hit send.

The phone vibrates in my hand.

Beastie

Have a good night, darlin.

Oh.

I guess that conversation’s over.