Page 21 of Ask Me Something

“I would never be anything other than honest.”

“Oh, you mean like you were honest about the number of guys who wanted your number for speed dating? What was the deal with that, anyhow?”

Of course he’d picked up on that. “I’d gotten the same number as Catherine, and for the life of me don’t know why. I hated every minute of it and couldn’t get out of there fast enough.”

Brian laughed. “Speed dating not so much?”

“No, not so much.”

“Are you comfortable so far with the rules?”

The first two sounded reasonable enough and he’d already compromised. “I think so. Did you have them with Jamie?” I had to ask.

“What happened to prepping me with asking if I’m willing to answer this question?”

“I haven’t agreed to anything yet.”

“Why is this thing with Jamie bothering you? I came over to your place instead of going home with a sure thing.”

The way he phrased that instantly pissed me off. “Right, sorry to have ruined your evening, Brian.”

“That’s not what I meant. I’m only pointing out that you shouldn’t be jealous because I chose you, even knowing it would be much more complicated.”

“Wow, you definitely know how to make a girl feel special. You know what? If you wanted easy, evidently you picked the wrong girl.”

“This is coming out all wrong. Shit, I’ve gotta go. Colby is waiting on me. We’re heading out.”

“Out where? Everything is closed on Christmas Day.”

“Uh, well, not everything.”

It dawned on me. They were heading to a strip club. “Of course. Perhaps you’ll find something less complicated there.”

He muttered a curse. “I’m tempted to say, ‘maybe I will’ because you’re seriously pissing me off to imply that I’d want to.”

My stomach knotted with the thought. “Maybe I’m tempted to say that I’m interested when my sister sets me up with my ex-boyfriend tomorrow night.”

“Good thing neither of us are interested in doing that sort of thing.” His annoyance was obvious in his tone.

“Right. Good thing. Night, Brian.”

“Night, Sasha.”

And now I was back to feeling all out of sorts again, thinking about Brian heading out on the town with Josh’s younger brother, who was known for his wild nights.

* * *

The next eveningI decided to go to Ernie’s Oyster Bar with my sister because I was bored, and Ernie’s did have the best oysters in town. Plus there was the fact that I’d yet to hear from Brian today. My sister tended to get less bitchy when she had a cocktail in her hand and no baby at her boob, but unfortunately I found out shortly after arriving that she didn’t mix the two.

“I’m breastfeeding, and although some women think it’s okay to pump and dump, I don’t,” she proclaimed self-righteously.

“Don’t you worry, I’ll drink for you,” Ryan toasted.

My brother-in-law and I clinked glasses, which pissed her off even further. We continued to trade barbs until Eric came in the door.

Addison had been accurate; he did still have his hair, and he’d aged well. He came over with a smile.

Being accustomed to a man kissing me on the cheek; I was a little taken aback at being hugged like a rag doll.

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