Page 82 of Men or Paws

“Okay then . . .” She thought about it and then pointed to me. “You could be the recipient of one of Rocco’s mind-blowing kisses.”

I shook my finger at her. “Don’t go there.”

Holly ignored me. “Imagine being in Rocco’s arms and then he gently places his full, sexy lips on yours. Go ahead. Imagine that for a moment.”

I crossed my arms. “Why would you put something like that in my head? You’re not playing fair.”

She smirked. “I’m a cruel woman.”

“Remind me to find a new best friend.”

Holly smiled. “You already found him. His name is—”

I held up my hand. “Rocco. Don’t think I didn’t see that coming. Nice try, but we’re still getting to know each other. He’s not my best friend.”

“Yet.”

“And going back to your other point, how would you know if his kisses are mind-blowing? For all we know, his breath stinks from an undiagnosed stomach problem and he’ll constantly bump his teeth into mine while he jabs his tongue in and out of my mouth like a sword.”

Holly laughed. “You know Rocco won’t have any of those problems. Remember that kissing scene in the first Captain Clapton movie?”

How could I forget?

I was pretty sure I’d heard a collective gasp and then a sigh from every woman in the theater, all of us fantasizing that we were the woman he was kissing. I admit I was one of them.

Holly smiled, but kept quiet.

I pointed to her. “You really are cruel, sending my thoughts in that direction.”

She shrugged. “I can’t be trusted. And as for you, quit worrying about what will happen. Live life in the present and experience it the way it was meant to be experienced. Enjoy the journey.”

She was right, there was no doubt in my mind. I saw an interview online not that long ago where Deepak Chopra said that people should live in the present and embrace uncertainty. It wasn’t as if I hadn’t considered it, but it was much easier said than done.

“Seriously,” Holly continued. “I would rather have an amazing relationship that ended with my heart being ripped out and handed to me in pieces, than have a mediocre life of regrets, what-ifs, and what could have been.”

I sighed. “Josh would never rip your heart out.”

“I know that now, but I had no idea what was going to happen when I first met him. There were times when I thought my karma had arrived and Josh would break my heart, just like I did to those men. I lived in fear for a while and never told you because I rationalized it.”

“Wow,” I said. “I had no idea you felt like this.”

“Well, I did. So what if you have a whirlwind romance with Rocco and then he dumps you? If it happens, you know he’s not for you, you brush yourself off, and get ready for the one who is right. You can’t go into a relationship expecting it to fail. You need to be available to the possibilities and see what happens.”

“You’re right, I know.” I studied Holly for a moment. “But why are you pushing a relationship with Rocco so hard? You never did this with other men I’ve met in the past.”

Holly shrugged and then smiled. “I have a good feeling about this one. I want to see you happy. You deserve someone who’s going to spoil you rotten. Plus, I would love the chance to brag to everyone in the world that my best friend is married to Rocco Romano.” She laughed.

I jerked my head back. “Married? Come on, we haven’t even gone out on a date yet.”

“Yet?” Holly shouted gleefully. “That means you’re open to the possibility!”

Whoops.

I didn’t mean to say that, but it just slipped out. It was as if the right side of my brain had already made the decision to go out with Rocco, but forgot to send the memo to the left side of my brain.

“Yes!” Holly pumped her fist, looking way too enthusiastic about the possibility of me and Rocco going out. “Beth Romano, I like the way that sounds.”

I laughed. “You’re too much.”