Page 7 of A Love That Broke Us
“Yeah, Matt. He’s a very successful real estate investor. He owns the building, actually. His parents have been buying up real estate all over the city for the past three decades.” Jensen gestures ahead. “Want to walk over to Hudson River Park?”
“Yeah, that sounds great. Are you good to walk that far?” My eyes flick to his knee, remembering how he was still on crutches last weekend.
“I should be fine for a bit. It’s not that far.”
We head toward the river, and I slow my pace so he doesn’t feel like he’s holding me back. It’s been an abnormally warm day for this time of year, but now, even with my heavy jacket, a chill lingers. I glance up at him with a teasing smile. “Does your friend give you free rent?”
He belts out a laugh. “No, but he gives me a discount. Even then, it’s still pretty steep. Matt lives in the penthouse. It’s total luxury. I guess I get to enjoy it by association.”
“Damn. I need to get myself a rich best friend. What’s he like?”
Jensen sighs, gripping the back of his neck as we walk toward the Hudson. “I don’t know… he’s Matt.” He chuckles softly. “If I had to sum him up, I’d say he’s fun, confident, loyal, and… kind of a slut.”
I can’t help but laugh. “A slut? A man slut? Is that even a thing? Sounds more like something he’d win a trophy for.”
“Oh, it’s definitely a thing. Matt’s a player, no doubt. He’s had his fair share of girlfriends, but he doesn’t stay interested for long. He doesn’t like feeling tied down. He loves his freedom, and honestly, he just gets bored easily.” He shrugs. “He’s always been that way.”
“Sounds kind of like my best friend.”
Jensen glances over, a smirk tugging at his mouth. “Growing a real estate empire or slutty too?”
A smile tugs at my lips. I appreciate his realness. I’ve never dated anyone like him. Someone who just says it like it is. He’s funny, and I find myself drifting closer to him as we walk. “Well, my best friend at work is Zach. But my ride or die is Scarlett. She’s not flipping penthouses, but she’s definitely got the freedom-loving, non-committal thing down. I wouldn’t call her a slut, but… she loves a good one-night stand.” Our arms brush together, and it feels like the most natural thing in the world, being this close to him.
“Okay. Let’s agree to never let them meet.”
I laugh again, then hesitate before asking, “What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Do you have one-night stands often?” I ask, keeping my tone casual.
I know it’s a personal question, and I’m not naive. Most single guys in New York aren’t exactly monks. I just want to get a sense of where he stands.
He chuckles, his pace slowing. “Whoa. Putting me on the spot here. No judgment?”
I raise my hands in mock innocence. “Never.”
“I mean, I’m a thirty-year-old guy, so yeah, I’ve had my fair share. But it’s not my go-to. If I’m into someone, I’d rather see where it goes. What about you?”
My cheeks heat. “Um… nope. I’ve never had a one-night stand.”
“Seriously?” He stops walking and turns to face me. “Not even one tiny drunken night in college?”
I shake my head, pressing my lips into a thin line. “Nope. Never.”
“Wow.” His eyes dance with amusement. “I’m completely shocked right now. I don’t know many women in this city who could say that.”
“I know… It’s just not my cup of tea, you know? I like my cup with a side of get-to-know-you first. Scarlett? She likes hers with a side of danger and a possible STD.”
He chuckles as he leans his back against the rail, and I follow suit. “You’re funny, Alley. And, in my defense, I’m not exactly Matt. So when a woman wants to sleep with me, and it’s been a minute… or months, I’m not turning it down.”
His smile deepens, his dimples popping, and I catch his eyes on mine. My heart stutters.Dammit. I like him—a lot. I haven’t had these butterfly feels in so long.
“What do you mean you’re not Matt? You’re a catch. And you have an incredible personality.”
“Ah… personality. The thing that gets me through life.”
I nudge him playfully. “Shut up. You know what I mean. You’re not just personality, you’re hot. Like, stupid hot. But honestly? I’d take a great personality over good looks any day. A hot guy with a bad personality? Hard pass. And by the way, all the nurses are still talking about the blue-eyed hottie who woke up with a boner and hit on me.” I smack my lips together, trying not to laugh.
