Page 58 of Recon Rendezvous

“What would be easier?”

Flopping back, I look up at the ceiling as I say, “I took your advice and I’ve been enjoying Xander like a sex toy.”

When she doesn’t say anything, I wrench my neck to look up at her. “Hello? Did you hear me?”

“Of course, I heard you. I’m waiting for the problem. Is it that the sex is bad? The other times were just flukes? Or is the dick good, so good, that boy has you running from it?”

My head falls back with a groan. This is so much more than that and I can’t put it into words for her until I can figure things out for myself.

“Ooooh, bitch. Is it that good? Like, it’sgoooood?!” Her voice drops into the most suggestive of tones and I can’t help but laugh.

“It’s that good and he fucking knows it.”

“I’m still waiting for the problem. It sounds like you’re getting those cheeksclapped. Don’t tell me you came all this way to rub your good fortune in my face? That would just be rude.”

I cackle. “I would never. But, you know. I have plans. Plans that don’t include him.”

“How does fucking him right now derail your plans for the future?”

I hesitate, unsure how to explain that Xander’s making me question everything

“Exactly. It doesn’t. People come into your life for a reason, season, lesson, or blessing. You know that, so why are you really here?”

“I talked to Travis and now my head’s all over the place.”

“Say no more. Let’s go get your girls and get you under Jose, Jim, Jack, and Tito. Fuck it, let’s add Bobby, Ronnie, Ricky, and Mike, too.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

LONDON

“You're gonna love the house I rented,” I tell Zuri as the Lyft driver turns onto the street of our Capitol Hill rental. The apartment I’d been renting was nearby, but it was nowhere near big enough for all of us. This home was two-stories with six bedrooms and six bathrooms and included a game room in the basement.

All these women dropped everything to spend a few days with me. I wanted to ensure the home was comfortable and spacious.

“It’s been recently renovated, and even though it’s enormous, it still feels homey, kind of cozy. It’s a craftsman with original wood floors, white walls and comfy couches, prime for girl talk. Five of the bedrooms have king-sized beds, but only two have ensuites. So, we may have to draw straws for those.”

She snorts. “No, don’t worry about it. This is your trip. If I wanted an ensuite, I would have stayed at home.”

“Aww, aren’t you sweet.” I make kissy face noises at her as we pull up in front of our little oasis.

She grabs her bags from the trunk and ignores me as I say, “What did you pack? You know I’m only here for a few days,right? Anyway, the girls are great. You’re going to love them. They remind me of us at their age.”

“Tell me their names again.”

“You know Sasha, Ty’s wife. She’s the tiny brunette and she’s sweet as pie but secretly feisty. Gem and Mia are her best friends, and they are equally sweet. Mia is blonde and is the spitfire of the group, and Gem is like walking talking sunshine. Be prepared, she’s all over the place, she’ll probably smack you around with her hair. And they are all huggers.”

“Youthful exuberance. Got it.”

“Yes. They’ve tried to kill me a few times with the shots and the all-night dance parties, but I’ve been keeping up pretty well. I’ve kind of missed my party girl days. It’s been fun having a little redo.”

“Look at you, Miss Thang. Don’ moved to Chicago and been turned out by the wild underbelly of the city. Who would have thunk it?”

Opening the front door, I turn to her. “I know, but it’s just a little jumpstart. A temporary reprieve until everything settles with my new job and I find a place of my own.”

“Honeys, we’re home,” I call out.

Shouts, laughter, and what sounds like a stampede of elephants comes barreling down the stairs and I brace myself for impact.

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