Page 12 of Crazy Imperfect Hearts

So hewaswatching me.

I turn my head and smile. “I’m great. But tipsy and tired, so…”

He chuckles. “So, you’re kicking me out.” He hops up, ties off the condom, and throws it in the small trash can by my dresser.

“I open early on Saturdays.”

“Right.” He pulls on his boxers and the rest of his clothes then sits on the chair in the corner to put on his shoes. “Are we… good?”

I grab my robe off the bedpost. “I know what this was, Lucas. Believe me, we’re fine.”

“So you’re not going to go all batshit crazy the next time you see me?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Isn’t that what chicks do after a drunken hookup?”

I tilt my head. “Lucas, this isn’t your first one-night stand, is it?”

He shrugs. “I’m more of a long-term-relationship guy.”

I cover my mouth and laugh. “Oh my god, it is.”

“Yeah.” He stands, looking out of sorts. “So I’m not exactly sure how this works. Like, do I say thank you and leave? Obviously, I don’t stay and cuddle.”

Still snickering, I say, “Thank you will do just fine.”

Joey jumps on the bed, rubbing himself on my thigh. He doesn’t settle next to me as he usually does. He stands, tail twitching.

“Okay then.” Lucas leans down and pecks my cheek with his lips. “Thank you.” Joey hisses and Lucas pulls back quickly. “He really doesn’t like me, does he?”

I study my cat. “That is super strange.”

Lucas walks through my bedroom door and turns. “See you around,Lucas,” he says with a wink.

“Yeah.” I lift my chin. “See you around, Lucas.”

He smiles. Then he’s gone. A moment later, I hear the front door shut.

Joey curls up next to me. I cock my head and wonder what his problem is. Animals are usually very good at judging people. Lucas is a nice guy. Why wouldn’t Joey like him? Joey likes everyone.

“Well then,” I muse aloud, “it’s a good thing he’s not going to be a permanent fixture in my life.”

I lie back and relax, not bothering to go down and lock up the shop, and think of how I’m glad it was Lucas up here and not one of the McQuaids—or at least one of the McQuaids from back in the day who would blab all over town about their conquests. I doubt Lucas would do such a thing. Heisa nice guy, despite the fact that he’s a total commitment-phobe. Which is completely fine with me. I’m the last one who needs to be committed to anyone more than the furball at my side.

Still, though, part of me wishes I could have a do-over of tonight. I’m thirty-five. Isn’t that the age where women become more sexually aware? More in tune with their bodies?

Feeling defeated, I reach over and open my nightstand, determined to get the release I deserve, and shuffle through my plethora of toys until I find just the right one.

“Shoo, Joey,” I say, pushing him off the bed. “I need a minute.”

Chapter Four

Lucas

I’m going over Marti’s latest updated designs for our rebranding. It’s something she’s been working on for months. As Chief Marketing Officer, I’m working closely with her. We’re on the cusp of being able to debut Montana Winery’s upgraded look. We’ve wanted to compete with the big wineries for a decade, and I think this is the first step in accomplishing that.

I glance at all of the Post-it notes lining my desk. Then I look at my calendars—all three of them—when my mind goes back to Friday night. I’d bet my left nut Regan Lucas doesn’t even own a calendar. She said she opens early on Saturdays. But I have it on good authority that she opens when she damn well pleases. Sometimes eight am, sometimes ten forty-five. I guess it depends on her mood and maybe the general state of any given hangover.

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