Page 44 of My First Time Fling

“Yeah, but it’s one thing to say that, and another one to actually follow through on it.”

“Yeah, but he wouldn’t jerk you around like that. He keeps inviting you out there, doesn’t he? He likes you.”

“He tolerates me. Which is to say, he looks very uncomfortable whenever I get within five feet of him, and then forgets I’m even in the room, the second he gets distracted by one of his books.” I snorted. “You know, come to think of it, maybe I should tell Cam that Mark is the one who’s really making the offer, because I think Camdoesactually like him.”

“Oh, really? Is he as obsessed with how Mark looks shirtless as you are?”

“I doubt it,” I said, laughing. “But on the Sunday morning that we were out there at the Sea Glass, Mark not only insisted on going for a twelve-mile run—which, ugh—but he decided to inspect the water damage Cam had mentioned up on the second floor, and he informed Cam that it’s not as bad as it appears. He also got the air conditioning up and running again.”

“Damn.”

“Yeah. And he insisted on leaving a note explaining what he’d done, telling Cam to call if it broke again.”

“Wow. Did he?”

“Of course not. I’m sure Cam forgot we both existed the minute we left. But I’m still pretty sure he likes Mark better than me.”

“Maybe you really should tell him that Mark is buying the place with you. Bring him to the closing and everything. Keep the ruse up.”

“God, I wish.”

Brooklyn gave me a considering look. “Do you think he would?”

“What? Go to the closing with me?”

“That…or buy the place with you.”

I sighed. “That’s a complicated question.”

“What’s complicated about it?”

“Well, for starters, there’s the fact that buying real estate with someone is a huge deal, and Mark and I have only known each other a few months.”

Brooklyn’s eyes narrowed. “And?”

“That’s not enough?” I asked.

“It would be, except you said ‘for starters,’ which implies there’s something more on your mind.”

I sighed again. “Like I said, it’s complicated.”

Brooklyn frowned. “Is something wrong? Are you having second thoughts about things with him?”

“What? No, of course not.”

“Okay, then what gives? I thought things were great between you.”

“They are great. Really. They are. Mark is so sweet. And he’s funny, and kind, and strong, and I know he likes me. And the sex—God, the sex is amazing.”

“Go on,” Brooklyn said with a lecherous grin.

I threw a lime wedge at him. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”

“What? I’m a little starved for the male body at the moment, sue me. Anyway, it’s fine,” he said, squeezing the lime into his drink. “I can imagine.”

“Imagine someone else, creeper, and not my boyfriend and me together.”

Brooklyn whistled. “Boyfriend. I didn’t realize you were using that word.”

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