Page 101 of Daddy By Design

TJ snickered. “Our histories kinda suck.”

“They really do.” I threw back my shot and tried not to think about the little bit of conversation Nolan and I did have, the truth bombs notwithstanding, I also tried not to think about his darker words.

So wet for me. Soaking my fingers.

Let me inside, Hellcat. Ride me.

But they played in my head like a song on repeat.

Avery touched my hand. “You’re okay, though?”

“Fine.”

Both of them gave me heavy stares.

“Honestly, I’m fine. I’m not just saying it. The sex is astounding.”

“Braggadocious.”

I laughed and it was enough to push me out of my mood. “But he’s just...we’ll say, emotionally unavailable.”

TJ refilled all our shot glasses, then she lifted hers. “To orgasms. Sometimes they’re just what we need.”

We all clinked.

“Damn right.” I tossed back the shot. I was pretty sure my tongue was numb. Not a great sign, but I didn’t really want to care right now. I especially didn’t care when Cordie came back with a tray full of sweet treats.

TJ regaled us with a few of the funnier aspects of the Jefferson job. The husband was very hands-on. To the point that TJ was tempted to schedule herself around his hours at work. He had a good heart, but he just kept rethinking his plans. As sweet as he was, he was also the worst kind of client. It took weeks for us to order furniture, rugs, and fabrics most of the time. Change wasn’t a finger snap like they made it look like on television.

The éclair soaked up some of the tequila and I started getting tired. “I have to go home.”

“Aww. It’s early.” Avery pouted.

I pulled out my phone and shut one eye so the numbers cleared. “Not that early.” I turned it for them to see.

“Ouch.” Avery tipped her head onto TJ’s shoulder. “I was up early.”

I swiped my thumb over the wallpaper of my phone. Gizmo’s cute black and white face stared back at me. “Guys, what am I going to do with my cat?”

“Not it!” Avery straightened.

“I know. I’m so past my deadline. I can’t bring him to the shelter.” I sniffled as my eyes filled. “He’s my baby.”

A text popped up on my phone.

Nolan: You all right?

I dabbed the tears away. Why wouldn’t I be all right?

“I gotta go to the ladies.” I slid out of the booth.

“You can’t text that person in front of us?” TJ snatched my phone off the table.

“Hey!”

She quickly put in my code.

“How do you know my code?”

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