Page 5 of Sticking Around

“Just make sure the cod is cooked,” I warn, trying for my most stern look, or at least one that says I’m only in this for the food, but from his grin, I guess I failed. I wave toward the door. “Go, I need to call Brighton and straighten this out, thanks to you.”

“At least I didn’t say anything about banging.”

I pick the pillow up off the sofa and toss it at him. He laughs, catches it, and sets it down before heading out the door, and despite everything I said about not hooking up with this man, I stare at his ass until the door closes.

With a heavy sigh, I phone Brighton and her voice is full of surprise and mischief when she answers with, “I want all the details.”

“There are no details,” I blurt out. “Nothing happened and nothing ever will happen.”

She makes a sad noise, like she’s upset by that. “Then what did he mean?”

“He didn’t know I was here and he heard a bang?—”

“Bang?”

“Ohmigod, Brighton, really? You’re as bad as Brady.”

“If I remember correctly, you were the one who told me to be bad where Noah was concerned. I sure am glad I took your advice.” I exhale a happy sigh and I have no doubt she’s rubbing her growing tummy as she stares lovingly at the man of her dreams.

I lift my chin a little higher, even though she can’t see me. “That’s because I give good advice.” I’ve been working my butt off on my masters, getting the highest grades in my class, and I’m quite proud of my accomplishment.

“That’s right,” she tells me. “Your problem is, you can dish advice, but you can’t take it.”

“First, I didn’t know I had a problem, and second, I thought your degree was in business management and tourism, not psychology.”

“Truth, now tell me about this poke and bang.”

“It’s the other way around,” I begin, remembering how I had the kiss and screech order mixed up. “I had just showered after getting in and Brady didn’t think anyone was here, and I was banging around, and when I came out of the bathroom, he had a fireplace poker in his hand. So, bang and poke. All innocent.” As I let her mull on that, curiosity gets the better of me, I ask, “Anyway, what is this advice you think I should take?”

“That maybe a bang and a poke is just what the doctor ordered.”

“And now you’re a doctor,” I shoot out, exasperated, as my mind goes down a path I shouldn’t let it.

“You have been working too hard lately, Mel.” She goes serious when she adds, “You need some you time. Or rather you and Brady time. He’s totally into you, and don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you’ve been eyeing him.”

I square my shoulders in defense. “I have not been eyeing anyone.”

It’s a lie. I have been staring so hard I’m pretty sure my eyeballs are doing that bulging cartoon thing. I mean, the man in his jersey is one thing, but a bathing suit at the rooftop pool, showcasing a hard lean body that makes me want to rip my panties from my hips…

A small chuckle from the other end of the phone pulls me back. “Are you still there?”

I plop down onto the sofa, happy the summer will soon be coming to an end, and the men on the Boston Bucks team won’t be having rooftop pool parties that heat me up more than the hot summer sun.

“You know who he is and what he’s like.”

I nod and toy with a loose thread on the hem of my pajama T-shirt. I never thought about how unflattering this old thing must look on me. Not that I thought I’d be entertaining the opposite sex tonight and it’s been a long damn time since I bought anything remotely sexy for bed.

Don’t think about sex.

“True.”

I hear Noah in the background, and realize I’m probably keeping them from bed.

Don’t think about bed.

“You know he’s not looking for anything serious,” she continues.

“Again, true.”

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