Page 80 of The Marriage Policy

“Yeah. We keep fighting, and I don’t know why.” She flops down on the couch. “Well, I do. It’s me. I’m the one causing the issues because I want him and it’s hard.”

I sit beside her. “I’m sorry. I wish there was something I could do.”

“You’re lucky things are so easy with you and Donovan.”

I am lucky, even though our situations aren’t the same. “We’ll have fun tonight, though.”

“Absolutely. I need to paint my nails,” she says, then slides to the floor and opens one of her bags. She gets set up at the coffee table, using a pink color she brought with her.

“Hey, can you do mine too?” I’ve never painted my nails before, but it looks pretty. Why the hell don’t I do mine too if I like it?

“Sure. Same color? I have some others in here.” She eases the bag my direction. I choose a blue that I think will look good with my eyes.

When Ana finishes her nails, she gets started on mine.

I wonder what Donovan will think when he sees it. Does he like men with painted nails? I think he probably just likes men who do what makes them feel good.

“I like it,” Ana says when she’s about halfway done.

“I like it too. And I like you. I’m glad we’re friends. If I were moving, you would help.”

Her forehead wrinkles in confusion. “Of course I would.”

“Not everyone feels that way.” Donovan would too, of course, and the Jilted Exes and the hockey guys.

“You’re kinda perfect. Do you know that?” Ana gives me a soft smile.

I wink at her. “Donovan thinks so too.”

We finish up with my nails. I already popped dinner in the oven, so Ana and I sit on the couch together, talking and laughing, until Donovan gets home from work.

“It smells good in here,” he says when he comes inside.

“It’ll be done soon. Look what Ana did?” I hold out my hand, and Donovan comes over.

“I like it.” He grins. “It matches your eyes.”

“That’s why I chose this color.” I stand and kiss him. Donovan looks surprised but doesn’t say anything about my public display of affection. “We’ll eat dinner and then get ready for tonight. I think it’s gonna be a good night.”

I feel Donovan’s smile. “I think so too.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Donovan

I’ve never beenthe kind of guy who likes to go to clubs very often. I’ve never even been to Lush, but I’m excited to go with Eric and the crew tonight.

It’s so strange to think that—the crew. I have a crew. Sure, almost half of us are jilted exes from the same asshole, but who gives a shit about how we all came together. What matters is we’re friends now.

The ride share drops me, Eric, and Ana off on North Robertson Blvd. There’s a line out front. Lush is a newer WeHo club, but it got popular quickly. Whoever the owner is must really know his shit.

“Did you say we don’t have to wait in that?” Eric nods toward the group of people waiting to get in. At the same time, he takes my hand and laces our fingers together. I grin, but then glance down to see he’s got Ana’s hand in his other one, so we basically just look like a queer throuple. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

“Ant said to give the guy watching the line our name, and he’ll bring us in. I’m pretty sure Rylan and Mads got pulled in the back.”

“Hey, where’s our back-door service?” Eric teases.

“I’m sure you two have that planned for later,” Ana jokes, and I nearly choke on my tongue.

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