Page 10 of Obeying the Owner

“You’re ridiculous. I no longer care to know.” I start walking toward the door, knowing she really wants to tell me.

She catches my arm, stopping me. “Wait. It was Juan.”

“Who’s Juan?”

“He also works in accounting,” she says.

“Is this something new?”

One of her shoulders offers a quick shrug. “We’ve hooked up a few times. But enough about me, I want to hear about your matches on Finder.”

I take a sip of my coffee, making her wait. “I only jumped on there for a few minutes last night. I matched with one guy, and we’re meeting tonight.”

“Ooh, where are you going?”

“I’m not telling you.”

She laughs. “You know I’d show up.”

“Exactly. I’ll have my hands full already.”

“Isn’t that the idea?” She raises her dark eyebrows at me.

“I’m not sure yet. I’ll see how I feel when we meet. If he’s giving off creeper vibes, I’m out of there.”

“Oh, definitely. You should listen to your instincts. Keep your eyes open for red flags, and don’t be swayed by good looks.”

I picture James’s profile pic. “I think it’s too late for that. He’s gorgeous.”

“Well then, make sure there’s more to him than just his good looks,” she clarifies.

“I want to hook up with the guy, not bear his children. I’ll be satisfied if he’s attractive and nice.”

She wrinkles her nose. “Do you want a nice guy in bed?”

If I’m honest, I don’t know what kind of man I want in bed beyond someone who’s able to make me come.

“I didn’t mean in that sense. I just meant I don’t want to end up going home with a serial killer.”

“Take him to your place,” she suggests.

“I can’t. I live with my brother.”

“Oh, yeah. Your sexy-as-fuck hockey-playing brother you’ve yet to introduce me to.”

“You mean my brother, who’s in a very serious relationship?”

She pouts her red lips. “Boo. All the good ones are already taken.”

I nod. “Sometimes it feels that way.”

“I hope you have luck with your date tonight. Send me a pic of him while you’re out,” she says, sipping from her cup.

“Yeah, that’s not happening. There’s no stealthy way to do that. And with my luck, the flash would go off or something.”

She laughs. “That would be hilarious.”

“Not for me.”

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