Page 112 of Unhinged

Amos laughs as he crosses his arms and leans against the kitchen sink. “I don’t understand. I assume your marriage is sexual.” I’m not in this for the sex, but it’s a magical bonus.

I make a face at him. “Is there a point?”

“You’re more excited about seeing the Taj Mahal from afar than of touring the grounds?”

I frown as I think about that. “Don’t get me wrong, the tour is phenomenal. I’d go again and again, but seeing it from this angle gives me another perspective, and I’m able to appreciate it differently.”

“Eloquent, Simone. I’ve not thought of it that way before.”

I shrug as I dump my mirror into my purse. “Plus, I get to crush him in mini-golf and stuff my face with French toast. Win-win.”

“Ah. I see. Will you be bringing your date here afterward? I’ll be up late, working, so…”

“It’s only our first date, Amos.” I giggle again. I’m so damn ludicrous. I’ve blown Greg twice and fucked him three times. A first date should be nothing.

But it’s everything. It shows he wants to spend time with me outside of using me as a glory hole.

“Well, you’re not a regular couple.”

I nod, biting my lip as I shove my pill disk aside in my purse and search for mints. “We’re not a couple at all.”

“Greg cares about you. I’m positive about that.”

“Not enough.” Tears threaten, and I shake my head. “Don’t ruin my date or my makeup. Can’t I just have one night with him where it’s not about anything but us? I won’t have any more of these. I want to have a great time and hold on to the memory forever.”

Amos’s sad smile worries me more. “Of course, Simone. I just don’t want to see either of you get hurt.”

“We know what we’re getting ourselves into,” I mutter as a knock interrupts our convo. Guaranteed heartbreak, but it’s better than not having him at all.

Amos says, “I’ll get the door. Go upstairs. Make him wait for five minutes. You don’t want to seem overeager, right?”

I giggle. “Absolutely right.” I go upstairs and lean against the wall of the hallway. Frenchie follows and sits at my feet.

“Greg, I wasn’t expecting to see you this evening. Is there something wrong at the bar?”

“Nope. I’m off tonight. I’m here for Simone.”

“Really? Why is that?”

Greg clears his throat. “We’re doing miniature golf.”

“Like a date?”

“Whatever you want to call it.”

“You definitely want to call it a date, Greg. Don’t downplay it. This would be important to her.”

I hear his sigh. “I’m not.”

“I didn’t know you wanted to date Simone since you don’t care for her company.” What the fuck is Amos doing?

“I never… I like her. We’re friends.”

“She’s my friend too. Don’t hurt her. Simone is special to me.”

“It’s not like I’m setting out to do that. I know what she is.”

I pet Frenchie before bouncing down the stairs. “Hey, swizzle stick.”

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