Page 19 of Breathless With Her

“Don’t think of dick while you’re eating it?” Zoey asked, and I closed my eyes. “Please, can we move off this conversation? We can talk about anything else. Just not this.”

“Well, how about we talk about the sparks flying between you and Erin? Because, wow.”

“Shut up.”

“I will not shut up, Devin. I saw the way you two were with each other.”

“So, Erin… Jennifer’s sister? The one you let spend the night at your house?”

“I didn’t realize it was her,” Zoey said quickly. “I mean, I heard the story from Amelia and a similar one from Erin, but I didn’t put two and two together because there were key details left out. Including mention of a sequined dress.”

“It was her high school reunion,” I said. “It’s not like we went on a date or anything.” I didn’t know why I was so defensive, but I really hated talking about women with my little sister. And considering that I wasn’t sure Erin was even interested in me, or the status of her marriage at this point, I didn’t really want to go there.

“Anyway, that dress was for the high school reunion,” Zoey began. “With that bastard Nicholas.”

Amelia lifted her lip in a snarl, and Tobey raised his brows.

“We don’t like Nicholas?” Tobey asked.

“No, we do not,” Zoey said with a scowl. “He’s an asshole. A cheating asshole who did horrible things. But the divorce is final, and they are no longer together.”

“Well, that was quick,” I said. I tried to sound casual, but from the looks that all three of them gave me, I knew I hadn’t been very proficient at that. Well.

“Yes, she’s all single and ready to mingle,” Zoey said with a laugh. “Okay, maybe not ready to mingle, but she is single. And I’m going to text you her number so you can see if sparks are indeed flying.”

“Don’t do that, Zoey,” I said quickly.

“What? You don’t want her number?” Zoey asked, frowning.

“I didn’t say that.”

“Yay. Oh, you two will be so cute together,” Amelia said, hip-bumping Tobey.

Tobey just gave me a sad smile. “I think you’re going to lose in this,” he said quietly. “There’s two of them against you.”

“I thought you would be on my side. That way, we would be two against two.” I mock glared, and Tobey just shook his head.

“I can’t really win against Amelia. Ever. We know this. We’ve been friends since we were little. She always wins.”

“I really do,” Amelia said with a very smug smile.

“Zoey, you shouldn’t meddle.” I tried to sound stern, but I couldn’t help but want the number. I really wanted it. Erin was single? Well, that changed everything. Didn’t it?

“I’m just saying, she’s already slept over at your house. What’s a few conversations by text? Or dare I say maybe even a phone call?” Zoey put her hand on her chest over her heart, and Amelia mock-gasped.

“A phone call? I mean, that’s next-level communication.” Amelia just grinned as she spoke.

I sighed. “I can’t with you. Either of you. I should go anyway. I need to clean up before I head to Greg and Laney’s.”

“Invite Erin,” Zoey said quickly. I froze.

“You want me to invite Erin to my friend’s birthday party?”

“Yes. She doesn’t have any plans tonight. I checked. And even though it would be weird to ask her any other time for a date the same night, this is different. You could always word it so it’s almost like work. You know, like her wanting to check on the cake or something.”

“Oh, yes, make it all chemistry-like but add in the work so she doesn’t feel overwhelmed.” Amelia and Zoey began talking about ways for me to ask Erin out, and I quit listening. I just looked at Tobey and shook my head.

“How does this happen?” I asked. “Please, Tobey. Tell me how this happens.”

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