Page 12 of Imperfections Forbidden

“Are you sure?You sound like you’re out of breath.”

“She is.You’re interrupting, Ava.”

My eyes fly open wide and I slap him on the arm.“Nick!”

He mimics my expression.“What?She is.”

I jump out of his lap to the other end of the couch.

“Cat, is that Nick?Did you go out with him again?”

“Yes and no.”

“Explain yourself, young lady.”

No sense in trying to lie to her; she’s going to find out anyway.I might need her to be my alibi.“I didn’t go home last night.I’m spending the weekend here.”Ava doesn’t say anything; she’s as silent as a mouse.Nick gets up and gets a drink.I call her name three times before she answers me.“Ava, answer me.”

“I think I blacked out for a second…I’m stunned.Did I hear you right?You said you’re spending the weekend with Nick at his house?”

“That’s what I said.”

“I only said you should have dinner.You took took that ball and ran with it!Damn, one touch from him and you decide to drop your draws and become his sex slave, huh?”

“Ava—”

“No, no, no, don’t even deny it, he has you turned out, you’re his personal trick.”

“Ava, I’m hanging up!”

She’s laughing uncontrollably, exasperating me further.

“Cat, you know I’m only playing with you.I’m happy you’re enjoying yourself so much.He convinced you to stay?”

“Why do you assume it was his idea for me to stay?”

“Cat, please, it’s me you’re talking to, you didn’t want to be alone in the same room with him yesterday.I know it took a lot of convincing on his part for you to stay.”

“Not as much as you think.”

“I hear that, yes, I do.Is that why you were so out of breath?Girl, you are changing before my eyes, a little love in the afternoon.I love it.”

“There is no love in the afternoon.”

Nick yells from across the room where he’s texting on his phone, “Get off the phone, Ava, so she can actually get some love in the afternoon!”

“Woo, I hare that!Y’all about to put it down!”

“Will you two stop it?Incorrigible, both of you.Of course you’re related.”

“Darling, what the hell are you doing still talking to me?You have an impatient hot man waiting to rip your clothes off, throw you down on the floor full force with his bare hands and make sweet love to you.”

“The things that come out of your mouth.”

“I know.I can’t help myself.”

“I know that.I’m not getting off this phone until I know what’s wrong with you.”

“You don’t want to hear my issues right now—go enjoy yourself.”