Page 20 of My Heart Still Beats
“I think just home,” I say.
I see Sherlock’s eyebrows rise in the rearview mirror. He’s surprised, and I can’t blame him. Since when do I go home before ten o’clock on a Friday evening?
But it’s been a rough week at work. Braden and Skye are in New York, and frankly? I’m exhausted. Home, a glass of Wild Turkey, and a little Netflix marathon sounds great.
“Just home,” I say to Sherlock again.
This time he nods.
…
The next night is Saturday, and I usually spend it at a local downtown dance club called Ballroom Blitz. The owners have been known to look the other way if people get a bit physical on the dance floor.
I dreamed about Tessa last night. The funny thing is, it wasn’t even a sexual dream, but when I woke? I felt a pulsing need that was new to me.
I’m feeling horny, but I don’t have any desire to do anything about it. That’s new.
My phone dings. I glance at it.
Apple:I know you ended our mutual fun, but…I’m kind of horny.
She sends me the devil emoji, with horns and all.
I send back a laughing emoji. She texts back.
Apple:Your place or mine?
Apple and I have been friends with benefits—on-again, off-again—since she was barely eighteen. She and her twin sister, Addison Ames, had a huge party at their daddy’s mansion while the parents were out of town, and somehow Braden and I ended up there. We were both working construction at the time for our father, Bobby Black. Addison chased after Braden big time, but Apple and I? We just clicked. Nothing romantic at all. We love each other as friends, but nothing more. And we have a good time in the sack.
I consider it, given my raging hard-on over Tessa, but then I text her back.
Ben:Sorry. I’m busy.
Apple:Are you?
Ben:No.
Apple:It’s okay. You don’t have to lie to me. You okay?
Ben:Yeah. I guess.
Apple:How was your date with Tessa?
Ben:Are you kidding me? That was hardly a date.
Apple:Yeah. I could see it wasn’t from her end, but I saw the way you were looking at her.
Ben:Why shouldn’t I look at her? She’s a gorgeous woman.
Apple:She is. And she’s Skye’s maid of honor. The two of you will be thrown together a lot during the next couple months.
Ben:I suppose so.
Apple:Are you hoping something will happen there?
Am I? Tessa Logan has baggage. Baggage I’m not equipped to handle. So no matter how attracted I am to her—and I’mdamnedattracted to her—I need to leave well enough alone.
Apple texts back before I think of how to reply.
