Page 89 of Happily Never After

“Sounds good.”

When she stood up, I thought two things.

Fuck, she had stunning legs.

She was still wearing her work shoes, which wereverytall pumps.

“Aren’t your feet tired?” I asked as we walked around the other patio tables and followed the sidewalk around the corner.

“They’ve actually lost all feeling,” she said cheerfully.

“Do you want a piggyback ride?” My feet were sore, and I was wearing steel-toed boots that didnothave high heels. Hers had to be fucking throbbing. “So you can take them off?”

“No, thanks,” she said, waving a dismissive hand. “My building is close by.”

“Please let me,” I insisted, tugging on her sleeve to pull her closer as we got to the ice cream shop. “I want to.”

“No,” she said, grinning up at me. “One more beer and I probably would, but I’m far too sober for such shenanigans.”

“Bullshit.”

“Shut up and buy me a malt,” she said, grabbingmysleeve and pulling me into Ted & Wally’s as she pushed open the door.

“Fine.” I let her drag me forward, trying not to enjoy the feeling of her hands on me, and then I got an idea as she was placing her order.

I pulled out my wallet, grabbed my credit card, and handed it to her.

“Wha—”

“Please order me a malt, too, and I’ll be right back.”

Her eyebrows furrowed but she took the card. “What are you doing?”

“I’ll be right back. Just come outside when you’re done.”

thirty-nine

Sophie

I stepped outside,glad the summer evening still had a little heat left in it.

I glanced around but didn’t see any sign of Max.

Wonderful.

“Sophie!”

I heard him before I saw him ride up.

On a rent-a-bike.

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