Page 50 of The Best Number

Jack sighs beside us before turning in the direction of our apartment block. It feels like it’s been a roller coaster of a day already, and it’s barely noon.

As we get back to the apartment building, I stand by my idea that the guys need time together alone, but I’m not sure if we need to talk it out anymore before that happens. As we approach the front door, Tom slows to a halt.

“Guys, I think I’m gonna head. I should move my car from the visitor's space anyway…”

I look between him and Jack, who looks disappointed, but isn’t forthcoming. Tom looks resigned.

“I thought you were going to spend some time together alone?” I remind them both.

Tom looks across at Jack. “Is that what you want?”

“Well, yeah, but don’t worry if you’ve got other stuff to do.”

“Do you want to come with me back to mine?” Tom asks Jack. Jack seems to light up at that suggestion. He looks across at me as if seeking approval. I keep smiling, but give no nod or acknowledgement. This is up to them. It’s not up to me to approve of them spending time together.

“Is that okay with you, Cass?” Jack asks. He’s shielding his forehead with his hand as he’s facing the bright sun behind me.

“Jack, you don’t need my permission. If you want to spend time with Tom, you go.”

“That sounds good,” he gives Tom a nod. “You want us to walk you upstairs?”

“In broad daylight? I’m good, thanks,” I say with a chuckle.

I fist his shirt and plant a kiss on his lips. He reaches behind to squeeze my bum, slipping me his tongue, which makes me giggle. As he lets me go, I take Tom by the hand and step up so we are standing chest to chest.

“Okay?” I ask him and he gives me a nod. So serious. I reach up to stroke his brow. His eyes close as he leans into my hand and I take the opportunity to kiss him too, before heading inside.

Chapter twenty-two

Cassidy

“Look at you. You’re glowing,” Mel declares when we meet outside the coffee shop for a long awaited in-person catch-up. “Must be all the orgasms. I’m jealous.” She pulls me in for a comforting hug, surrounding me with her honey-like perfume. “It suits you, Cass.”

“Hey, it’s not all fun and games. It’s exhausting keeping two men satisfied.” I smirk, which gives me away.

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, right. Shall we go in?”

I follow her inside and we place our coffee orders at the counter before finding a table in the window.

“I’ve been rubbish at staying in touch. Texts and quick voice notes just don’t cut it. How are you?” I ask her as we wait for our drinks to come.

She lifts her shoulders in a shrug. “I’m doing okay. Busy with work. Still avoiding the dating apps. But you’ve given me hope. If you can find two men willing to fulfil your every fantasy, surely I’ll find one, right?” Her brow lifts.

“No one you’ve got your eye on?”

“No, but I’ll keep looking. I want to be swept off my feet. I don’t want to deal with all the red flags and the ick of online dating. Why can’t a handsome young man just come and knock on my door one night and seduce me?”

“You never know. It might happen. And you’ve just given me an idea for a sexy short story. Want me to write it for you and we can see if it comes true?”

“Sounds like a better plan than the dating apps,” she says wryly. The barista shouts our names to signal our coffees are ready. “I’ll grab the drinks.”

I watch as she gets up and heads to the counter. She’s always impeccably dressed. Today she’s wearing a cream silk wrap blouse and brown suede pencil skirt and her blonde locks flow loose down past her shoulders.I really do need to base a main character on her.A frisson of excitement sparks inside me as snippets of the story idea come to mind.

“Any news on the divorce?” she asks as she places my latte in front of me before gracefully sitting down and crossing her legs.

“All the paperwork’s in. It’s just a waiting game now. I keep wondering if I should reach out to Grant and ask to meet up?”

“Why do you want to do that?” Her brows knit together.

---