Page 8 of Fractured Rhythm

Chapter 3

Jamie:Here’s my number, so kale me maybe?

Cassie:[eye roll emoji]

Jamie:Get your ass to DC and join us on tour. We miss you.

Cassie:I’ll think about it. Miss you, too.

CASSIE

“Those chocolate espressocake pops were insane. I maybe ate almost the full dozen in one sitting,” Holly said as we walked down the street Thursday night.

I laughed. “Glad you liked them.”

“You know I’m friends with you for more than just the almost perfect desserts you give me,” she said, linking her hand through my arm.

“Nice to know I have other qualities you enjoy.” Sometimes we had less than photo-perfect treats and I sent them to Holly whose sweet tooth was epic.

“Numerous. So how was lunch with Griff?” Holly all but batted her eyelashes at me.

I snorted. “Just jumping right in, aren’t you?”

“Hey, I said thanks for the cake pops first. I’m not an animal.”

“It was lunch,” I said nonchalantly.

“And?” Holly goaded.

“And nothing. We’ve been out a few times now…” I trailed off.

“But he’s boring as shit? His breath smelled when he tried to kiss you? He spent all of lunch talking about his mother? His cats?”

Another snort slipped out, and I shook my head. It never failed. “His cats?”

“I don’t know. You’re lacking on the intel, and you’ve gone out on a few dates already. Something must have happened by now, or what is the point? Not even a kiss?”

“He’s a nice guy. There’s nothing wrong with him. No mention of cats, and his breath was minty fresh.” I caught the twinkle in Holly’s eyes.

“So you did get some?” Holly tutted. “So inappropriate. Sneaking a nooner in the restaurant bathroom before going back to work.”

“Seriously? Why am I friends with you? There was no nooner. He just stood super close to me while we were waiting to be seated, and I noticed the mint.”

“First, you’re friends with me because your life would be boring without my entertainment.”

I laughed. “So modest.”

Holly shrugged. “And second, I’m sorry there’s nothing there. You haven’t dated in forever. When was the last time you got laid?”

“Shut up. I’m doing just fine. And maybe he did kiss me after lunch.”

“You brat, you could’ve started with that. So how was it? Sloppy? Perfect tongue? Ooh, it was just nice, wasn’t it?”

I lightly punched her in the shoulder. “Shut up. It was nice.” Though there had been nothing behind it. No spark. No tingle to speak of. Nothing that heated my body to a boil like someone I’d rather not think about. It’d just been a nice kiss… on the cheek. I left that part out.

“AKA boring. Yeah, you need to get laid, and it’s clearly not going to happen with Griff.”

“My sex life is fine, thank you very much.”

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