Page 9 of Mr. Scandalous

“This totally rocks!” Ashley did a little dance. “Now maybe you’ll have hot sex and get your groove back.”

“Hey, hey, don’t go jumping to conclusions. I’m simply meeting him for lunch.”

Now that Ashley had expressed out loud the thoughts revolving in her head, Eden’s prudent side kicked in and a panicky fear gripped her.

She wasn’t like her freewheeling, irresponsible mother. She could not have a wild affair with a stranger even if hehadjumped-started her libido and her imagination with a single rakish grin.

The fact that she was even considering such a thing tempted her to text him and break the date. He could fill out the form online. No need for a face-to-face.

Ah, now there was the rub. She had been listening to her naysaying, fussbudget voice for far too long. Playing it safe hadn’t gotten her anywhere. It was way past time she took a risk, moved from her comfort zone and stepped out of the box.

“Lunch could turn into a little something-something.” Ashley nudged Eden in the ribs with her elbow her.

“But I don’t know anything about this guy.”

“I do,” Jayne said, raising a hand. “He’s rumored to be an excellent lover.”

“You guys!” Eden rolled her eyes. “You’re putting the cart way before the horse.”

“And you’re just scared to take a chance.” Ashley made clucking noises and flapped her arms like a chicken. “Admit it. “

“Okay, guilty as charged. I’m scared spit-less.”

“What are you so afraid of?” Jayne asked.

“Oh, no!” Ashley dramatically clutched her head in her hands and moaned. “Now you’ve gone and done it.”

“Done what?” Jayne glanced from Ashley to Eden.

“You’ve given an ‘in’ to her worst-case scenario voice.”

“Her what?”

Eden glared at Ashley. “Thanks a lot.”

“Go ahead,” Ashley said. “Show Jayne how neurotic you can get.”

“It’s not neurotic to project future complications based on current information.” Eden pursed her bottom lip. “It’s merely prudent.”

“Let’s do it then.” Ashley sank her hands on her hips.

“All right,” she said, deciding to play the game her impertinent assistant had invented in defense against Eden’s worrywart tendency. She had to confess that the game often worked to quell her fears when little else did. She squared off with Ashley toe-to-toe. “What if he has bad breath?”

“Then give him an Altoid.”

“What if he’s a rotten kisser?”

“You teach him exactly how you prefer to be kissed.”

“What if he has an itty-bitty penis?”

“It’s the motion of the ocean that counts, baby. All that matters is that he rocks your boat.”

Jayne giggled. “You two are so funny.”

“Okay,” Eden said, growing serious as she risked expressing the real fears piling up inside her. “What if he thinksI’ma lousy lay?”

“Ooh,” Jayne said. “I can help you with that one. If there’s ever anything you want to know about driving a man wild in bed. I’m your go-to gal. Call me anytime.”

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