Page 99 of Daddy By Design

“Really? I’ve only seen her in the window.”

Avery took a healthy sip from her glass, then she finished it. “Yum. Bring the bottle. It’s on me.” She pulled out a crisp fifty-dollar bill.

“Where the heck did you get that?” TJ snatched the bill from her.

Cordelia plucked it out of TJ’s hand. “I’ll get the bottle.”

Avery grinned. “When I was at the Mavis’s house, their neighbor asked me to help them with bougainvillea. They wanted me to chop it down, but I just made it pretty and took clippings for my collection. They gave me a hundred bucks for my help.”

“Dang. Well, now I don’t mind letting you pay.” TJ threw her shot back.

I filled them in on what happened in the secret library. TJ had been there for most of it, but I had a few more details from the second time I’d sneaked in.

By the time I finished, Cordie came back for a food order. We decided on a handful of apps instead of a full meal.

When I was feeling sufficiently warm from the tequila, I leaned forward. “So, I had the best sex ever. Twice.”

“Way to brag.” TJ blew raspberries at me as she refilled our glasses.

“Once in your office.”

“What? When?” TJ’s brows knit together.

Avery grinned. “Probably today if that beard burn is anything to go by.” She snagged a jalapeño popper off the sampler tray.

“Why not in your office?” TJ asked with a huff.

“You had the condoms.”

Avery threw her head back with a cackle. “Since when?”

“You are a bad friend.” TJ tore off a hunk of chicken tender, baring her teeth before she started chewing.

I laughed. “I know. I’m so sorry, but safety first! Especially since we have an infected girl in the office.”

TJ snickered as she dunked the rest of her tender. “Pregnancy is not catchy.”

“This girl is taking no chances. I’m legit on baby lake.” I waved my fry at her. “I can’t help if you took those condoms from the trivia night. You stole mine.”

“Because you haven’t needed any in ages. Besides, they were my backups.”

“Since they were still in that drawer since Christmas, I guess your dry spell is as bad as mine. Or you forgot.”

“Bah.” TJ threw a piece of popcorn chicken at me.

I snatched it out of the air and shrugged before popping it in my mouth.

“So, what’s this guy look like?” Avery asked. “I’ve only heard you rant about his attitude.”

I sighed. “Intense. Cordie was right about that. Tall. Great shoulders. He’s got these full lips that can—what?”

TJ arched her eyebrow at me. “What did he do with those lips?”

“Many things. Is it hot in here? Maybe I need a water.”

“What kind of things?” Avery grinned.

A flash of Nolan spreading me open on my bed came to mind. I peeked around the back of the booth. “Have you seen Cordie?”

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