Page 65 of Single All the Way

I looked around the circle, meeting their eager, curious gazes one by one, unable to get the hint of a smile off my face. “Maaaybe,” I said simply, which elicited laughter and a “Yessss!” with a victory fist from Olivia.

My smile faded. “Please,” I emphasized quietly. “Keep it between us?”

“Absolutely,” Olivia said.

“Your secret’s safe,” Chloe added.

“Of course, Em.” Maeve’s eyes were lit with joy. “I was hoping for that news.”

I laughed again. “Why?”

She shrugged. “You deserve some sexy times.”

“We all do,” Olivia said. “Even those of us who are getting it on the regular.” She gave Chloe a lighthearted, accusatory look.

“A ten-month-old makes it trickier,” Chloe said, “but”—she shrugged—“guilty.”

Olivia threw a wadded-up napkin at her, then lifted her glass. “Here’s to all of us having Chloe’s luck.”

There were clinks and laughter all around, but the party was so loud and crowded no one took any notice, which was how I liked it, particularly considering the topic.

“So…” Olivia’s grin widened as she zeroed in on me again. “How did it happen?”

“Olivia London, you should be ashamed of yourself for being so nosy,” Chloe scolded.

“Don’t lie,” Maeve said to Chloe. “You’re dying to know too.”

“I am,” Chloe admitted.

All eyes turned to me. My closest friends waited expectantly. I wasn’t one who’d ever give them graphic details, but I said, “Five words for you.” I glanced around to make sure we hadn’t captured anyone’s attention. “Snowed in without the kids.” I counted the words on my fingers as I said them.

All three of them laughed, and Olivia held up a hand for a high five.

“That’ll do it,” Maeve said. “Or so I’ve heard.”

“It just proves your attraction was off the scales,” Chloe said.

That was the truth.

I took another swallow, glancing around, worried about being overheard again. Kemp Essex, Chloe’s husband, Holden, and Max’s brother, Levi, were engrossed in a conversation nearby but paying us no mind.

“So are there feelings involved here?” Olivia asked in a hushed voice.

“No,” I answered quickly. “It’s just the bicycle thing. Getting back on with someone I trust.”

An uneasiness rooted in my gut, but I shut it down.

“The bicycle thing is legit,” Maeve said. “I might need to find a guy to help me back on the bike one of these days.” She laughed.

“What’s going to happen when you move out?” Olivia asked me.

“Nothing.” My answer came automatically, but I couldn’t help but imagine a flash of living in a different house with my kids but without Ben and his girls. It would be…different. Quiet. Another adjustment.

Lonely.

Especially at night.

“You don’t think you’d keep seeing him on the sly?” Olivia asked.

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