Page 48 of Take It Offline

“Do you?” she asks, her tone too knowing for my liking. “Because all I’m hearing is that you’re sleeping with someone who has told you on multiple occasions that she hates your guts.”

As if I need the reminder.

It’s better this way. Less chance of getting my hopes up. I’m a means to an end for Emma, even if I think her problem isn’t a problem at all. Even though I’m sure this asshat she wants to get back with needs his head examined for making her feel that way.

“Charlie.”

“What?”

There’s a sigh behind me.

I don’t need the lecture. I’m walking into this with my eyes wide open.

Hell, I’m sure Emma already has a plan drafted. With a hundred points and a performance review at the end of every session.

When I can’t avoid Reese’s judgment any longer, I turn. “It’ll be fine. It’s just sex.”

“You know what? I don’t think it is. I’ve seen you with your one-night stands. And the way you talk about her is different. You actually like her.”

I rear back, my pulse jumping. “Whoa, don’t go putting words in my mouth. She’s hot, all right? So it’s not exactly a hardship to be the one helping her out. But that’s it.”

With her lips pressed together and her arms still crossed, she stares me down. It’s no use fighting it. Reese will wait me out all night if she has to.

“Fine. Maybe I like her a little.”

Reese rolls her eyes, but I barrel right through it.

“But I’m a big boy. I know there’s no chance of anything happening.”

Her eyes shine with a hint of sympathy I don’t like. “This has disaster written all over it. I want that noted for the record.”

“Yeah, yeah. I heard you the first seven thousand times.”

With a hum, she pulls out her phone and types furiously. I don’t have to ask to know she’s talking to Mae. “This goes down as the most ridiculous game of Duck, Duck, Gray Duck, you’ve played yet.”

It’s fascinating to watch her type while holding eye contact.

“Can you even see what you’re writing?”

Reese smiles, her thumbs still moving. “I don’t need to see it. It’s called muscle memory.”

“It’s called a worrying addiction to social media.”

She manages to flip me off without stopping. A heartbeat later, she’s got Mae on speakerphone.

“She’s right,” Mae says. “If you really like her, you should be up-front about your feelings.”

“I don’t have feelings,” I say, offended.

Reese snorts. I definitely walked into that one.

“Anyway,” I say, barreling on, “you’re her girlfriend. You’re legally obligated to agree with her.”

“Yes, it’s the first law of lesbians,” Mae says, so dryly I could age a steak with it. Reese couldn’t have chosen someone whose personality was less like hers, but they’re the most solid couple I’ve ever known. There’s a U-Haul joke in there somewhere I’m not qualified to make.

With the wave of a hand, I get back to feeding Ziggy. Fuck, it’s time to change the subject.

They coo at each other a bit before Reese finally hangs up.

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