Page 74 of One Last Time
I’m biting my tongue to avoid offering more information thanneeded.
“Glad you weren’t alone.” He pats my leg before turning and yelling, “Brendan!”
I release a huge sigh, which doesn’t go unnoticed byReagan.
Shit.
Thankfully, Reagan doesn’t say anything for the rest of the night, and we all enjoy each other’s company. Mom and Aunt Nina laugh about old times, Catherine and Jackson are getting the girls ready for bed, and Reagan and I enjoy a glass of wine by the firepit.
She tells me about her job, and I tell her aboutmine.
“Wait, so you’re getting paid to stalk hot guys?” Shelaughs.
“Intheory.”
“Here I am, a divorced lawyer with no chance of making partner, and you’re writing about celebrities and getting to hang out with Four Blocks Down. Man, I gotfucked.”
“You’renuts.”
“This is true.” Reagan grins. “So, don’t think I didn’t see you blush when Uncle Dan asked you what you were doing last night. Spillit.”
“Not on yourlife.”
She taps her fingernails on the glass. “You had sex, didn’t you?” she whispers—loudly.
“Oh my God,” Igroan.
“You did! Withwho?”
Like I’m ever going to tell her that. Hell no. I don’t even fully believe it happened myself. But the soreness in my legs—and other places—tells me it did. It’s the most liberating thing I’ve ever done. But I’m not telling anyone about it, notyet.
“There’s nothing to tellyou.”
“You know it’s my job to read people,” she remindsme.
“Read people doing what?” Jackson returns, taking a seat next tous.
My family is so invasive sometimes. “Nothing. We’re not talking aboutanything.”
Reagan smiles before drinking herwine.
“What are we not talking about?” Catherine sits on hisknee.
Great. A former Navy SEAL, a lawyer, and a publicist all ready to ask me questions. I feel like this is the beginning of a bad joke. One where I’m the punchline.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Noah
I’m driving backto my condo after watching basketball with Eli, and I make a right when I should’ve gonestraight.
Then anotherright.
Before long, I’m a few blocks from Kristin’shouse.
It’s half past midnight, and this is the last place I should be, but it’s the only place Iwanttobe.
How pathetic am I? I’m like some lovesickpuppy.
