Page 5 of The Upgrade

Sara beams. “Brilliant.”

I’m still not convinced. “I see the appeal of annoying two exes at once, but couldn’t he get a supermodel or something?”

Camille scoffs. “He’s well-known in psychology circles and shrinks loooove citing his research, but he’s notfamousfamous, you know?”

“Maybe.” I guess I’d be up for it.

“Where’s his new job?” Sara shoots me a secretive, hopeful look.

“Is Kit moving closer to home?” I’m thinking the same thing Sara is.

Ever since Camille’s father died, she and her sisters have floundered. Having the prodigal son home for good might help our friend heal.

But Camille only shrugs. “He’s doing a short-term study somewhere sunny. Houston or Austin, maybe. I don’t know the details.” She waves a dismissive hand. “Anyway, you’ll go to the release event with Kit. And if it leads to a little anger bang, that might be healthy for both of you.”

“Oh.” That’s not where I thought she was going with this. “Wouldn’t that be weird?”

I may not know Miranda, but there’s a key thing I have in common with Kit’s ex: She also lived with the Pliers in high school. She was an exchange student from London, while I was Camille’s classmate. Miranda and I never crossed paths, since she was six years older, but the fact remains that we’ve both been surrogate sisters in the Plier family.

And only one of us still is.

“I love my relationship with your family, Camille.” I may as well spell out my concerns. “I don’t want to do anything that could screw that up.”

“Please,” she scoffs. “You’d be fucking him once, not dating him. You’re both consenting adults.”

I guess I can see the difference. “A one-night stand before he jets off to his next job doesn’t count.”

“Exactly.” Camille plucks her phone from her purse. “I’ll text him right now. See if he’s up for the plan.”

“Wait, no.” I grab for her phone as she pivots toward Sara. “You’re not seriously asking your brother to anger bang me, are you?”

“Of course not,” she says, typing away. “Just letting him know I’ve found him a beautiful date for the event, and whatever transpires afterward is good practice before you head off to your sex resort.”

“Camille!” I swipe at the phone again and she laughs. “You are not seriously writing that.”

“I’m not,” she swears, and I believe her. She gives me a look steeped in kindness. “I won’t say anything about the sex resort. Or your cheating fuck of a fiancé. But I could subtly plant the seed that you’d consider a one-night stand.”

“No way.”

Except…this doesn’t sound like the worst idea.

I’m way out of practice with commitment-free sex. The sort of fun-loving fling I wish I’d enjoyed a lot more before committing to Brock. The healthy pursuit of sexual pleasure that was nearly shamed out of me.

If I’m really considering the Jilted Brides Honeymoon Club, shouldn’t I scrape the rust off my coochie?

“Eve?” Camille tilts her head. “You can read my text before I send it. And I promise not to make this weird.”

“Me banging your brother isn’t weird?”

“Not as a one-time thing.” She gives me a kindhearted smile. “I think it could be good for you, lording your hotness over my brother’s ex. Getting your groove back, you know?”

I can’t believe I’m considering this. Not just a one-night stand with Camille’s brother, but traveling to a freakin’ sex resort. This isn’t me.

Except…it might be.

Once upon a time, Eve Goodrich had the raw material to become a sex-positive, uninhibited woman. Before Brock tied me down—not in a fun way—I had my share of hot flings. I miss that.

But I can’t really do this, can I?

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