Page 19 of Where We Bloom

“I’m pretty sure I know. Okay, maybe I should get Connor off my brain and have sex with one of these lucky men tonight.”

I turn in my chair, and we scan the room. The guy at the pool table, the one who told me he’d make sure the asshole didn’t bother me again, is handsome. He’s muscular with blond hair and blue eyes, and his forearms are sexy when he leans over the table to shoot at a ball.

“I think the one you’re looking at is gay,” Alex says, leaning toward me.

“Why?”

“Because he’s been holding hands with the other hot guy all night.”

As soon as she says that, hot pool guy walks over and kisses the other hot pool guy, and I grin.

I know that guy.

“Well, damn.” With a fresh idea in my mind, I grin at my friends. “Wait. Maybe they’re bi, and they’d like a third.”

I smile at the girls, who all whoop and clap and encourage me to go ask.

This is gonna be hilarious.

“Idareyou to go ask them that,” Dani says. “You’re safe. We’re right here. Do it. Right now.”

“What do I get if I do it?”

“Free yoga classes for the rest of your life,” Skyla offers.

“You already give me that.” I laugh at her as she frowns into her glass.

“Oh yeah.”

“I’ll pay for your dry-cleaning for amonth,” Dani says with a knowing smile and winks as she sips her drink. “And I’m not kidding.”

“That’s a lot, friend.”

“I know.”

“I’ll split it with you,” Alex offers, getting in on the action.

“I’m in too,” Skyla says. “We’ll pay for your dry-cleaning for a month if you go ask those sexy boys over there if they’d like you to join them with their …sticks.”

“You guys think I won’t? Just watch.”

“Go proposition those men, friend. If they accept, be careful. Make sure they wrap it up.” Alex pats me on the arm.

“Oh my God, what if they say yes? I never considered that!”

My friends laugh some more, and I’m on the verge of laughing.

“You don’thaveto do anything,” Dani reminds me,patting my shoulder. “This is all in fun. Go do it. Think of all that free dry-cleaning.”

“Fine.” I down the last of my margarita in two gulps, then stand and straighten my dress. As I walk to the two men playing pool, I’m determined not to be embarrassed or panic. I can do this. I look good tonight.

“Well, hi there,” Number One says with a charming smile. “Do you need us to save you from that jerk?”

“I think you know the answer to that,” I reply with a wink. “I don’t usually need saving from much.”

“Good girl,” Number Two says, and I can’t help but remember the way Connor said that in my ear.

Good fucking girl.

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