Page 112 of Kismet

“Okay, okay. A daddy. I approve. Where’d you meet him?”

I can’t help another groan escaping me. “Well… that’s the funny thing.”

“Oh, snap!” he exclaims. “I love funny. Tell me, tell me!”

“I met him in Washington.” Avoiding all eye contact, I chug half of my beer.

“What? I didn’t know you visited Washington recently.”

“I haven’t. I met him while I was in college.”

“Oh, shit! Fucking spill, Cash. I’m sick of twenty questions. I want the fucking details, bro.”

“Fuck, I always forget how fucking annoying and persistent you are. Jesus.”

“I’m fucking waiting, dude. Don’t have all day. My husband’s gonna be home soon and he’s been sending me dirty photos every hour, so he’s gonna have my full fucking attention the minute he walks through the door… spill.”

“Wow. TMI, Knox.” I laugh. “Fine. Fuck. Remember Professor Philips?”

His face screws up as he cocks his head. I can tell the moment recognition hits him because his eyes go wide and a huge grin splits on his lips. “The English professor? The one I fucking told you wanted to fuck you?!”

“Yes, him. That’s who.”

“How the fuck didthathappen?!”

“Well… we kind of, maybe, had a brief fling when I was in college. And he might be the dean of the university I teach for.”

“Whoa,what?!Hold the fuck up, Cash.What?!You fucked this guy while we were in college, and you didn’t fucking tell me?!”

“He, uh… he was married. I didn’t tell anyone.”

“Cash, you’re blowing my fucking mind, my dude. He wasmarried?!Did you know he was the dean?”

“Yes, he was. And no, I had no clue. It was purely coincidental.”

“Okay, let me get this straight… in college, you fucked your professor—without telling me—and now you’re fucking yourboss?! Damn, dude. Didn’t think you had it in you.”

“Gee, thanks.” I roll my eyes, draining the rest of my beer before tossing it in the garbage.

“Listen, Aston just got home, and like I said… horny. But this isn’t over. I expect more details about your sexcapades.”

Aston comes into view, smiling when he sees me. “Cash! Hey, bud.”

“Hi, Aston. I hear you got some extensive plans between the sheets with your obnoxious ass husband, but it was good to see you!”

He laughs a deep belly laugh at that. “Yeah, you too. Let’s FaceTime soon and catch up.”

“For sure. Talk to y’all later.” With a smile plastered on my face, I hang up and grab another beer before parking my ass in front of the TV, with Houston curled up beside me, for the rest of the night.

******

My plane lands at the Miami International Airport at nearly ten at night. Two hours later than I should’ve landed. I fucking hate airports and flying. It’s always a clusterfuck. People always behave as if they’ve never been in an airport before, never flown. And who knows… maybe they haven’t ever flown before, but shit. Then you have everyone who packs around the baggage claim. Everything takes way fucking longer than it should.

It takes me almost an hour to finally get out front where Weston is waiting. He’s wearing a big ridiculous smile when he sees me, and our bodies hurl toward the other in a big, giant bear hug. It’s been too fucking long since we’ve hung out. It feels so good to see him in the flesh.

“Dude, that flight was ridiculous. Sorry you were stuck waiting so long,” I grumble as we pull apart.

“Ah, no big deal. Had nothing else to do with my night. It’s all good. Glad you made it.”

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