Page 57 of Indiscretion

“I like confidence.”

“There’s a difference between confidence and cocky.”

My sister grinned. “I like cock too.”

I laughed. “Dawson is just…not a good idea.”

“Because he’s your boss?”

“That and… This may sound weird, but I feel like the man could annihilate me.”

“Wow. You’re really into him.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Whatever you say.” Frannie sipped her tea. “Are you going to see your ex from college again?”

“Simon asked me to go to dinner and an art gallery with him tonight. He’s only home for a few days. His sister’s wedding was last night.”

“Are you going?”

“I’m not sure. He texted while I was looking at apartments, and I told him I couldn’t make dinner, but maybe I’d meet him at the gallery. I haven’t decided if I’m going yet. Let me ask you, do you think men and women can be friends?”

“Of course. You have male friends, don’t you?”

“Mostly they’re husbands or partners of my female friends.”

“Well, I have lots of male friends at work.”

“Right.” I nodded. “Yeah, of course. Women can be friends with men.”

“So does that mean you’re going to the art gallery?”

I took a deep breath and let it out. “Yeah. I think I will.”

***

“Hey.” Simon’s face lit up when he saw me. “I didn’t think you were going to come.”

“Sorry about being so wishy washy. It’s just…work has me sort of tangled up at the moment.”Not a total lie.

“Well, I’m happy you got untangled. Come on, let’s get some champagne.”

Simon and I found a waiter with a tray full of flutes. We nabbed two, and he introduced me to a few colleagues.

“You know so many people here.”

“Three quarters of the guests are dentists. The artist is the wife of the senior partner at our practice. You come if you want to stay on his good side.”

We walked over to the first painting and stood in front of it. I wasn’t an art aficionado, but it looked like a bunch of poorly drawn circles to me.

“What do you think?” Simon asked.

“It’s…interesting.”

He grinned. “I’m pretty sure I could draw better circles putting the paintbrush between my toes. What the hell is it supposed to be?”

I laughed. “I have no damn idea.”

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