Page 90 of Charlie

"Who's next?"

"Lach on Tuesday, Jack on Thursday."

"Damn, girl." She whistles, her eyebrows almost to her hairline. "Then what?" she asks, snatching some chocolate-covered almonds from the board.

"Then we only have sex together."

A line forms between her eyebrows. "What about other stuff?"

"Other stuff is fine, just no sex." My face heats under her scrutiny.

"Good fucking luck," she murmurs, then downs the rest of the wine in her glass. "That sounds like a recipe for disaster."

"What? Why?"

"What happens when things get hot and heavy? You know how it is when you're in the moment. Do you really think there's not going to be a mistake or two or ten? Or what about when Lach or Cam leaves for work? You're going to abstain the entire time they're gone?"

I groan. Why hadn't that ever occurred to me? "So what do you think we should do?"

"I think there should only be two rules: respect and communication."

"How are you single?" I laugh, impressed that she had broken down something that seemed so complicated into two words.

"Honestly? I haven't given anyone a chance. I'm working on it." She claps. "Okay! That's enough guy talk." She pulls out the nail polish and I choose a color.

"So, what are your plans at the pub?" I ask, knowing there has to be something behind her working there, especially since it seems like she's practically running the place.

"I'm going to buy it from the guy that owns it once he's ready to retire." She grins, her whole face lighting up. "I have so many plans for it. I can't wait."

"I bet it'll be amazing."

"What about you? What will the next six months look like?"

I pull out my phone and open my notes app. "I have a list," I chuckle, "First, obviously, is finishing the family tree. I'll go home to deliver it, settle the divorce and apply for a work visa while I'm there."

"You realize how hard it is to get a work visa here, right?"

Lead settles in my stomach at the reminder. "Yeah, I did hear that. I guess I just have to hope it'll work out."

She carefully sets my right hand down and picks up my left, painting my thumb ballet pink. "Why don't you marry one of them, Charlie? It would be so much easier."

"Do you want the honest answer or the easy answer?"

"Honest."

"Because I've been relying on men my entire life, and look where that got me."

"Where are you now?" she asks, looking up at me.

"No man's land."

Isla shakes her head and continues painting my nails. "You're just being stubborn. Your way or the highway. It doesn't work like that in relationships."

I blink hard, pushing back the tears. "I know it sounds ridiculous, but I need to prove to myself that I can do it on my own, Isla. It may seem like I'm just being stubborn, but it's way more than that."

"Fine." She caps the bottle and puts it back in the bag. "Would you be okay with Jack hiring you? He could sponsor you."

I think about it for a second. "As long as it's for a legitimate job."

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