Page 81 of Hot Shot

“And what about you?”

Well, that made me think. It’s not that I’m opposed to love and marriage and commitment. It’s just something I don’t think is going to happen for me. Anyone I get close enough to for that would realize I’m a big fake—someone who appears to have it all, but who’s really just an empty shell with no real accomplishments and no plan. Which is why I, too, am fine with this arrangement.

I glance at the menu. Since I’m starving, the lack of an adventurous menu doesn’t bother me. “Chicken fingers,” I decide. “And another glass of wine.”

“Oh, come on.” Marco taps the bottle of tequila he carried from the office. “You want more of this.”

When you own the place, you can carry around your own bottle, apparently. I grin. “I could drink a shot of that.”

“We need more glasses. I have to check on things behind the bar anyway. Be right back.”

One of the servers comes to take our food orders and then Marco returns holding a bunch of the special tequila-tasting glasses. He pours us all shots, except for Cade, who shakes his head, saying, “Someone needs to stay sober.”

“They need any help back there?” Beck asks Marco before picking up his own glass.

“Nope. They’re good.”

Beck leans back in his chair, his arm along the back of Hayden’s chair, looking relaxed and happy. As does Hayden. Then Beck reaches into his back pocket, pulls out his phone and peers at it.

“Put that away,” Marco orders.

Beck frowns. “What?”

“Put your phone away. Don’t you know that’s rude? Obviously you didn’t read that article I sent you yesterday.”

“What article?”

“I sent you a link to an article about how to be a good husband. You’re gonna need all the help you can get. One of the things is to put your cellphone away when you’re having dinner with your wife.”

Beck blinks at Marco. “Obviously I can’t read it right now, then.”

Marco grins. “True.”

“What else did it say?”

“You need to talk about expectations,” Marco says. “Like, do you expect big expensive presents on birthdays and anniversaries? Also, you should keep masturbating.”

I choke on my tequila.

Marco hands me a napkin. “Okay, belleza?”

I nod, dabbing at my lips.

Beck grins. “Okay, then. Best marriage advice I’ve heard so far.”

“That goes for both of you,” Marco clarifies with a nod at Hayden.

She smirks. “Good to know.” She turns to Beck. “That doesn’t bother your ego? Oh wait.” She slaps her forehead. “I forget who I’m talking to here.”

“Ha-ha. It would only bother me if all you wanted to do was fly solo. But I’m pretty confident in my abilities to make you want a copilot.”

I crack up laughing. “How do we always end up talking about sex?”

Marco grins. “Because sex is awesome?”

“Can’t argue with that.”

“Don’t worry, honey.” Hayden pats Beck’s cheek. “While I do enjoy ‘working in the garden’ from time to time, it doesn’t always have to be alone.”

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