Page 39 of Bang Buddies With Benefits
“Sorry. Long day. I’ve been working this big case and—”She doesn’t care, Cat.“Fries would be amazing.”
“Okay, I’ll bring out three baskets. And to drink? A Long Island Iced Tea?”
My usual at Paddy’s. Come to think of it, I mostly ordered whiskey highballs at the Drunken Kraken for nostalgia’s sake, and wow, how hadn’t I seen my current predicament coming?
That realization tempted me to say yes, as my friends were better advisers when it came to anything involving lov—strong like—anyway. But then I might accidentally admit guilt, and I wasn’t ready to declare myself that quite yet. Or ever. “I’ll wait for my friends, thanks.”
As soon as I’d confirmed she’d actually left this time, I glanced at my watch, choosing it over my phone so I wouldn’t see anything involving my current case. Another thing I’dassumedI could handle perfectly well. Make no mistake, I’d nail the other party to the wall and ensure a significant settlement for my client. I only wished I could do it without my emotions being so ragged and raw by the end of the day.
Where are they?Despite living and dying by my carefully planned schedule, I used to be the least punctual when it came to chill hang outs. Work, along with the whims of the partners at the firm, always overruled everything, much like a cranky judge.
Which stood as another reason not to get distracted by romance. My goal was within reach. The halls of justice were still dominated by members of the good ol’ boys club, and without more diversity, whether previously disregarded genders, skin colors, or all of the above, too many glass ceilings remained. Not only for those who worked in the legal system, but those constantly oppressed by it.
The fries arrived in time to toast that thought, a sad substitution for alcohol.
“Do I have perfect timing, or what?” Penny’s arms came around me, one in a side hug, and the other snatching a handful of fries. I guaranteeshe’dhave no qualms toasting with the cup of ketchup. “Sorry I’m late. Press showed up at the complex and wanted to interview me—insert hair flip here—and traffic out of there was a bitch.”
“I’m so proud.” While she wasn’t used to the spotlight, and often made light of what a big deal it was to have landed the project, she deserved the acclaim and then some. “About the interview, not so much the traffic.”
A snort-laugh came from Penny as she plopped down in the chair to my right.
About a minute or so later, Ellie rushed over, rattling off an apology and details about the new office space she’d checked out on her way over. She’d recently branched off and started her own web design company, and it was going so well that she was already looking to expand. Both my friends were checking off career goals right and left, and while I understood it wasn’t a race, I didn’t want to get left behind, either.
“Honestly, the only reason I’m hesitating on renting that space is that it’ll mean putting on a bra and/or pants for work will no longer be optional. It’s one of Luke’s favorite things about surprising me at work, too.” A dreamy grin spread across her face, and that corresponding twinge in my chest was absolutely not longing.
Not that anyone asked, but still.
“I just have to decide before Luke and I leave for our trip to the Alps. Speaking of, did you know that there are these vests for hiking and running that hold several liters of water? They call them bladders—whichew—and instead of stopping to rest, you just twist your head and sip and keep going. Luke was so excited as he told me they weren’t cumbersome at all, and I’m like, but we’re going to stop and restsometimes, right? And you guys, he laughed like it was a joke.”
We all snickered at that.
“Yikes,” Penny said. “I find hiking to be too cumbersome in the first place, and a big no thanks on drinking out of anyone’s bladder.”
“Yeah, that’s a hard pass, although it reminds me of the night Luke was ranting about Bear Grylls, and how he’s always convincing people to drink pee when it’s not a necessary survival skill.” Thanks to Ellie’s relationship with Luke, we’d learned about rare desert creatures, cultural rituals around the world, and tips for surviving extreme temperatures. “You know what might be, though? Fill the vest with rum.”
We shared a laugh over that, and then Ellie’s gaze turned serious as she leveled it on me. “Enough about me…”
Penny twisted in her chair to face me, and suddenly I felt like the subject of an intervention. “What’s going on? You hardly ever request help, and I’m trying not to go DEFCON five here. Don’t tell me that prick made partner over you.”
I shook my head, but before I could respond with words, Ellie’s voice pitched up an octave. “It’s worse than that? Did someone threaten you?” She glanced around, eyes wide, and then huddled closer. “Could they be here now?”
“Whoa, guys. No reason to go zero to sixty in two seconds flat. For the record, if Mark makes partner over me, I might need bail money. Especially since landing the promotion is the entire reason I agreed to the fake engagement with Zac in the first place.”
I hesitated, unsure how to proceed with the moment of truth in front of me. I couldn’t exactly bitch about all the hot sex and fun times I was having without it coming across as the silliest of #FirstWorldProblems. Evidently, Ishould’veprepared a presentation instead of sitting at the table twiddling my thumbs as I waited for my friends.
“Let me guess, he’s freaking out because even a fake relationship is crimping his bachelor ways, and he’s decided to be a big jerk about it.” Penny cracked her knuckles. “I was already preparing an offer to take out Mark in the parking garage, so I might as well pop over to the Drunken Kraken and pay Zac a threatening visit, too.”
“I’m in.” Concern crinkled Ellie’s forehead. “We’re just going to make threats, right? Not, like, roughing them up for real?”
Pen pressed her mouth into a tight line and placed a hand on Ellie’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. Catalina’s no rat. Besides, we have client-attorney privilege.” Her attempt to stifle her smile failed, and I smothered my own grin with my fist. Ellie was the rule-follower of our group, not that any of us would actually assault anyone.
“Ugh, you guys suck.” Ellie picked up a worn coaster and tossed it at Penny’s head, and she shrieked and dodged. Not that she needed to have bothered. It soared between us and skidded across the floor, and at least giggling helped ease the heaviness that’d burdened me all week. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m still in, but drinks are on Penny tonight—just saying.”
Both my friends looked to me once again.
“Okay, we’re done guessing. The floor is all yours.” After Penny swept her arm, gesturing for me to go, she mimicked zipping her lips.
“Zac’s not being a jerk.” At the beginning of the week, he’d texted to ask how my case was going and to wish me luck, and yesterday he’d relayed a funny story from the bar. I’d replied to the first with “fine” and marked the second with a lame “ha-ha,” so if anyone fit that descriptor, it was me. “He’s being…the opposite.”
