Page 5 of Winning the Nightcap

“She fell victim to an epic diaper blowout and headed home to shower,” Dom explains. “I’ll give you the full story later.” He winks at Ellie.

“Shit, was it bad?” Ellie cringes. I’d rather not be here to listen to Dom animatedly share my humiliation with his wife.

“Well, it wasn’t great, but I’ll let Dom explain. I should let you two get back to Luca. I’ll get out of your hair. Oh, and here.” I reach for my wallet and hand Ellie a gift card for their favorite Italian restaurant. “I had no idea what to get a baby, but I figured you two would probably enjoy a night of not having to cook.”

“That’s so thoughtful, Aiden. Thank you. We’ve been surviving on snacks and takeout, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Here, Dom, I’ll take Luca to nurse. Come back over soon, Aiden. We’re so happy you’re back in town. It’s been too long.” I smile and nod as Ellie gently takes Luca from Dom and goes back into the house.

I make my way to the front yard toward my car and hug Dom with a pat on the back. “Congrats again on the baby. It’s wild to see you as a parent, but you and Ellie are knocking it out of the park. I’ll be sure to sendmultipletext messages before I come back over here.”

Dom laughs and rocks back on his heels, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Yeah, I’m blaming the lack of sleep for that slipup. Ipromise I’ll write it down next time. I can’t trust myself to remember shit anymore. Not until Luca decides to sleep for more than two hours at a time.”

“And hey, next time you talk to Bec, apologize again for me,” I say. I’m still rattled by our run-in. I wish she hadn’t sprinted out of here and I had time to give her a real apology. And maybe a minute to catch up with her…find out what she’s been up to since I last saw her. Maybe casually ask if she’s single.

What the fuck is wrong with me?There’s a better time to ask than when she’s changing a diaper.

Now that the season is over, I’ll finally have time for a social life. I’d love to be able to visit friends without making an ass out of myself. And maybe even consider going on a date. Jesus, how long has it been?

Today was…not a great start.

Dom sighs. “Trust me, I’ll be apologizing for both of us for a long, long time.”

Chapter Three

Bec

The girls and I rotate hosting responsibilities for our book club, and this month is Dee’s turn. We sometimes end up staying the night after a few drinks, but since Luca was just born, Ellie will get picked up by Dom since she’s not ready to be away from him overnight. Tonight, Carissa is my snuggle buddy.

We’re sitting around Dee’s glass coffee table, littered with take-out containers. I’m in her oversized, plush velvet, green chair with my back against one arm and my knees hooked over the other, feet dangling off the side. Her apartment is comfortable and stylish with rich, earthy fabrics and colors and soft lighting. Her incredible view of downtown is framed by huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the entire exterior-facing wall of her living room giving us a picturesque view of the twinkling city lights. I live just a few blocks away, but my view has nothing on Dee’s.

“I need a new vibrator, who has a good recommendation?” Dee surveys the group. “Bec, didn’t you say you found one that was panty melting? Help a girl out.”

Yes, I did say that, and yes, I meant it. My new not-so-little friend has kept me company for three glorious months now, and I couldn’tgatekeep. I’m a better friend than that. “Let me send the link in the group chat. Everyone, and I meaneveryone, needs one of these.” I wiggle my eyebrows at Carissa, who laughs, looking down, her auburn hair falling over her face, shielding her from my targeted stare.

Her ex, Sir-douche-a-lot—sorry, I mean Damien—constantly put her down when they were dating, including when it came to expressing any type of sensuality. In my experience, only the most insecure men feel the need to shit all over women like that, claiming they’re doing it to “protect them.” I watched as my strong, confident, bubbly friend retreated into herself until that relationship ended. We were all relieved and trying to help any way we could when she began to share the painful truths as their entire relationship broke down. If anyone needs to find her confidence and feel sexy again, it’s Carissa. And I guess maybe myself, too, if I’m being honest.

Dee squeals when she gets the link, already getting out her credit card. “This book was so hot. My vibe finally kicked it, but we had an amazing run. He went out in a blaze of glory two chapters before the epilogue.” She stares at the ceiling wistfully, like her last vibrator and she had a sentimental relationship.

I mean, I guess my vibrators outlasted the only serious relationship I had in the last few years. Holy shit, my human relationships have been outdone by my vibrators. When was the last time I had sex? I need to go on a date…immediately.

“Chapter twenty-five…wow. I may be operating on zero sleep and have next to no energy or sex drive, but that was just unreal. I almost wished I could wake Dom for some fun.” Ellie is expecting to be cleared for sex by her OB at an upcoming appointment but shared that she and Dom are going to wait a while longer.

Another reason I love their relationship is how comfortable and understanding they are with each other. I guess when she told him she didn’t feel ready physically or emotionally, he was incrediblysupportive and reassured her that there’s no rush. When she’s ready, he’ll be ready too. Ellie and Dom are over here making it seem impossible for anyone on my dating apps to stand a chance at reaching the bar they’re setting sky high, but my book boyfriends certainly rise above all expectations, so for now, they’ll have to do.

“I’m still not over the shower scene. Something about crazy, hot shower sex does it for me. And the mouth on that guy, I swear I replayed that part on my audiobook at least ten times for the dirty talk,” I say, reaching for my margarita.

We run a very sophisticated book club, choosing a new romance novel every month and then regrouping to rehash all our favorite smutty moments while eating too much takeout. We’re real scholars here, all bibliophiles.

I can devour a good read in a day if I’m not working—so long as it has a healthy dose of spice. I consider it critical to debrief in a meeting of the minds with plenty of time for serious plot analysis. Like, would the heroine really be able to straddle the mafia boss and bounce on his dick, coming three times while he drove his hot rod car on the highway at ninety-plus miles per hour? You know…purely intellectual debates. The answer is clearly yes…if she’s flexible.

“Seriously, when it’s done right, the dirty talk alone can get me there. I about screamed when he grabbed her chin and told her to look him in his eyes and ride him until she felt him bottom out.” Dee grabs the pitcher to top off everyone’s drinks.

“Oh god, I forgot about that part. I wish it was a duology. Another book with that man? Yes, please,” Ellie adds.

“We could choose another book by this author for next month if we want,” Carissa proposes. “We don’t have the November book picked out yet.”

“I love that idea. I checked out the author’s website after I finished this book, and she has another stand-alone novel that came out lastMay. And best of all, there’s an audiobook version,” I share, downright giddy at the thought of reading another book by this author. I was planning to anyway, but it’s more fun to share it with the girls.

“I do not understand your obsession with audiobooks. Don’t you get worried your phone will start playing the book out loud when you’re out in public?” Carissa looks like she wants to crawl out of her skin just imagining the embarrassment.

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