Page 17 of Unleashed

When she glances toward Rhonda, I groan, “Jesus. Let it go.”

Rhonda gathers her trash. “How do you know I’m single? I could be dating a married man.”

Record scratch.

Hadley and I turn to Rhonda, whose face reddens. I stutter, “Say what?”

She hurries to amend, “I’m joking.” It makes me wonder.

“It’s not Wilder, is it?”

Hadley tosses a crumpled napkin at me, hitting the side of my head as I stare at Rhonda.

Flustered, Rhonda spouts, “Not Finn!” Like he hasn’t done it before, intentional or not. I mean, accidentally cheating? Does that happen?

Hadley and I both laugh, which relaxes Rhonda somewhat and pulls her back from the ledge. Rhonda says, “I would never do that to my friend. And Finn even has your name tattooed all over him.” Yet that still didn’t stop the fucker.

Hadley smiles. “I know. I’ve been wanting to return the favor for a while now.”

I sigh. “If it’s a face tattoo, just put a bag over your head now.”

“No! I want his name on my left ring finger. Like he has mine. I want it to be a surprise. Which of you will come with me on Thursday at 6 p.m.?”

“Just in time for our first practice? Yikes.”

“I won’t be wearing a softball glove on my left hand. Finn will be doing the Wild Side, and Finley will be with a sitter. Please?”

Rhonda says, “I wish I could, but I can’t.”

When Hadley turns to me, I say, “I hate needles. Maybe he won’t notice it on your finger. You should put it somewhere that’s more in his face.”

“Like where?” When I giggle, Hadley cocks her head and narrows her eyes. “Hilarious.”

Checking the time on my phone, I stand. “It’s been a blast, but I must return to work.”

I wave and hurry off to my office to do nothing. I’ve reached my limit of stimulating convo with Hadley about her stellar marriage. I’m happy for her, but fuck this. I’m supposed to be a newlywed, grinning from ear to ear and reveling in ball-tingling sex with Simone.

Arriving at my desk, I do as promised and stare at the computer screen. Unfortunately, it makes me conjure mental images that involve me exploring Simone’s naked body.

Through my pants, I stroke my hard-on, pissed off I have to face her. But seeing her so indifferent to me today, she should be the last woman I think about ever.

Rubbing my face with one hand while still clutching my junk, I try to find something else to focus on, but it’s impossible.

I think about Hadley. She used to affect me in every way, but now I feel none of that shit anymore. I need to do the same thing with Simone. Maybe she was another placeholder in the search for my soulmate. And when I find her, Simone will be a meaningless flash in the rearview mirror.

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