Page 23 of Just a Number

Hey, what’s up?

Dammit, Mel, pick up. What’s going on?

How very dare you send me a mayday text and then ignore me. If I don’t hear from you within the next hour, I’m going to make Tom drive me to your house to check on you.

Oops!

I check the time. Thankfully, I’m still within the hour window she gave me. When I call her, she answers before it’s barely had a chance to ring.

“Mel… Thank god. Are you okay?” Relief sounds in her tone.

“I’m fine. Sorry to worry you.”

“Why the hell did you mayday me?”

I look over to the office door and decide to close it. Zack will probably go back to his gaming after tidying the kitchen, but it’s best he doesn’t overhear this.

“I kissed him. Well, he kissed me. But I kissed him back.”

“Who?”

“Alex,” I whisper.

“Alex? The twenty-something-year-old? Yass, Mel, get in there.” I don’t think I’ve ever heard her so gleeful.

“He’s twenty-five.” It seems important to point that out. “It was a mistake. I don’t know why I gave in, but he got down on his knees and said he wanted to worship me. Apparently, that’s all I need to give into attraction and leave my morals at the door.”

“He got on his knees?” Her voice pitches high with excitement. “Sweet mother of god, you need to keep him. He sounds like exactly what you need.” I heave a sigh. “What happened next? Tell me you got further than kissing.”

“We got interrupted. He’s gone to work. I’m grateful for the time to cool off, to be honest.”

“Honey, I don’t think you need to cool off. I think you need to jump into this situationship with both feet. I say you seduce him when you see him next. When will that be?”

I gasp. “I can’t do that,” I almost shriek. “He’s Zack’s friend. And he’s staying here for a couple of days. It would be like taking advantage of someone in my care.”

“Mel, stop. He’s twenty-five. He’s a grown-ass man. And from everything you’ve said… he’s hot. This doesn’t have to turn into the love of your life. Just let yourself have some fun and blow off steam.”

I close my eyes, not that Cassidy can see me. I don’t know why I thought she’d help me see sense. I should have guessed that the sex-crazed, smut author—who, until very recently, was part of a throuple—would be trying to enable me to sleep with Alex.

“I say you jump his bones. When does he get back from work?”

“It’ll be late. He’s at the pub. I didn’t get the chance to tell you, but he works at The Thirst Trap. I think he’s the new blood Abby mentioned.”

Cassidy breaks into hysterical laughter. “Oh my god, that’s perfect. The universe wants you to do this, Mel. There are too many coincidences for you not to give in and get railed here.”

“The universe wants this forty-year-old divorcee to fuck a twenty-five-year-old? Albeit a tattooed, motorbike riding one. But really? That’s how you think you’re going to convince me?”

“Oh,” she gasps, “it all makes sense now.”

“What does?”

“Abby texted me earlier to say she thinks the new blood would be perfect for you. Apparently, she saw him with his shirt off and gave the Abby seal of approval.”

“What?” Fury bubbles up from my feet. “Did they sleep together? Why did she see him naked?”

“Not fully naked, Mel, just his shirt off. I dunno why. But I’m pretty sure she didn’t sleep with him. I would have got more details from her if she had. Wait a minute… you’re jealous?”

“Fuck you. No, I’m not.”

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