Page 49 of About That Night

“Chastity believes that old adage that bad things come in threes,” Nevaeh says with a grin. “Don’t prove her right.”

“They also say third time’s the charm.” He waves the oyster in front of me like I’m a little kid he’s trying to coax to eat at mealtime. “Come on. Open up.”

I do, because I don’t want to back down from the challenge.

Hank tips the oyster between my lips, his finger brushing my bottom lip. I instantly close my mouth, which forces him to withdraw. This one isn’t too bad. It has more flavor, and it’s easier to chew it.

I nod. “That was better.”

“It’s the bacon,” Hank says. “I loaded it with bacon.”

That makes me laugh. “Well. There you have it.”

An hour later, Josiah is worn out, and it’s time to head out. I’m proud of him for trying the oysters and not complaining. He actually liked the baked ones.

“We’re going to go hang out downtown,” Nevaeh tells me. “You can go home without me.”

I nod. “Of course. Have fun.” I turn to Hank and Conway as Josiah sits on the floor, shoving his feet into his sneakers. “Thanks again, Young boys.” I’m striving for casual. “This was a lot of fun, and I am now an oyster expert.”

“It was good to see you,” Conway says.

Hank nods. “Thanks for the feedback.”

That’s all he says, so I head out with Parker and Nevaeh and Josiah. Nevaeh eyes me. “You okay?”

“What? Of course. I’m great.”

Which may be overstating it. I’m confused. Happy. Disappointed.

There is a longing deep in the pit of my stomach that I don’t want to acknowledge exists.

For a second there, I had a fantasy of what it would be like if Hank were mine and we were together, raising Josiah.

Then I am instantly annoyed with myself for getting swept up in a future that won’t ever happen.

“Chas…” Nevaeh gives me a long look.

Parker, who is clearly very intuitive and sweet, takes Josiah by the hand and walks him a few feet over to the flower bed on the property line. “Look, there’s an ant hill.”

I cross my arms over my chest.

“Just admit you like him,” Nevaeh whispers. “He likes you too. If you gave him any encouragement, he’d be all over you.”

“He just wants to have sex with me,” I whisper. “That’s not what I want. Well, I mean I do. But you know what I mean.”

“If this is about that alleged curse, I swear I will stop speaking to you,” she threatens.

I’m too confused to even really defend myself.

“You heard Hank,” she adds. “Third time’s the charm.”

She leaves me standing there and goes to put her hand on the small of Parker’s back. Parker turns, and the smile they give each other leaves no doubt that something is brewing between them.

“Chastity.”

It’s Hank’s low voice. I turn, heart swelling.

He’s holding Josiah’s backpack out to me. “You forgot it.”

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