Page 12 of Safe and Sound

“Dead serious.”

With a wink, I replied, “Thanks. Especially since I’m hella rusty.”

“Like I said. It’ll come back to you.” Giving me a knowing look, he replied, “Just like sex.”

I rolled my eyes. “Come on, Nick. We’ve had this conversation. I just became officially divorced today. I need some baby steps before I get to that point.”

“It’s been seven months,” he argued.

“Trust me. My vagina and I are more than aware of that,” I clapped back.

Preston abruptly not being interested in sex was what originally tipped me off that something was wrong in our marriage. From there, I’d used some detective skills I’d learned from my favorite True Crime documentaries and started investigating him. It didn't take much to uncover the affair. A few receipts for dinner for two that I didn’t attend. Phone records with numbers that didn’t go to any of our family and friends.

And finally text messages with his new flame’s name.

Nick’s dark eyes flashed with annoyance. “You and I both know you’re completely over that jackass.”

“I didn’t say I wasn’t.”

“Then why don’t you want to get back in the game?”

With a shrug, I replied, “I don’t know. I guess I just envisioned dating someone first before taking the sex plunge.”

“Trust me. Anonymous sex is hot.”

“I’m well aware of that. I haven’t always been a married stick in the mud,” I shot back.

Back in wilder college days, I’d had a couple of one night stands. But that seemed like another lifetime ago. Especially considering I’d just turned thirty, had a grown-up career, and a mortgage.

“Then why not take the plunge?”

Nick’s question was more than fair. There wasn’t one good reason I could give him. I was still relatively young. I’d been sex deprived not of my own volition. I should totally throw caution to the wind and have sex–preferably hot, hardcore sex–with a stranger.

While my vagina was more than onboard, my heart and head just wasn’t in it. Since I’d known Nick my entire life, I knew he wasn’t going to give up until I said yes. “Okay. Maybe I will.”

HIs expression brightened as he clapped with glee. “I’m so proud of you.”

I couldn’t help laughing at his reaction. “Sometimes I think a therapist would have a field day with our relationship.”

Nick wasn’t just my best friend–he was my nephew. Yes, I was thirty with a thirty-two-year-old nephew. I was the late-in-life-surprise baby to my forty-five year old parents, and Nick is my oldest brother’s son. One of my favorite pictures is two-year-old Nick holding me the day I came home from the hospital.

Considering my two brothers were in their twenties when I was born, Nick and I were raised more like brother and sister than aunt and nephew. We were even closer than he and his real sister, Melia, were.

“I’m pretty sure a therapist would say our line of open communication and support is very healthy.”

“I hope so.”

“Speaking of healthy let’s just imagine you find some hot stud to take back to the hotel. Are you ready to welcome him?

“I’m assuming you mean have I waxed in the last seven months.” At Nick’s eager nod, I replied, “The answer is yes.”

He appeared almost relieved. “I’m so glad.”

“Once again, we might need to revisit some boundaries.”

With a roll of his eyes, Nick pronounced, “I’m parched.”

“Already? We just got here. Not to mention all the pregaming we did at the hotel.”

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