Page 37 of Let Me Keep You

I don’t even have much to do since Robert hired a wedding planner.

“It’s still a huge fucking change. And it’s a forever contract. Hell, I’m nervous just thinking about it, and I’m the most eligible bachelorette in Lawton Ridge. I’ll probably be single with four dogs by the time I’m forty.”

Her exaggeration makes me snort. “No, there’s Old Lady Annette and her thirteen cats. Speaking of, where’s Sassy?”

Everleigh’s full-on laughing, the kind that makes her nose scrunch. “Annette was promiscuous back in the day, though. I heard stories of her breaking three different men’s hearts at once. Guess she realized she was too good for them. But if I ever get that many dogs, trust me when I say it’s a cry for help.” She gulps her wine. “Oh, Sassy’s sleeping on my bed. She was tired and put herself to bed.”

“Well, there’s no denying her name fits.” I chuckle, which feels good, considering the conversation we’re having.

“It sure does.” The room grows quiet except for the sound of Everleigh chewing popcorn.

“Robert met Tyler today.”

I don’t know what possesses me to bring it up, but I need to get it off my chest.

Her eyebrow shoot up. “And?”

“And Robert asked if there had been anything between us in the past.”

“Oh, God. What’d you say?”

I bury my face in my hands. “Well, I cut him off before he could fully ask, but I knew where he was going with it. So I didn’t technically lie, but I didn’t tell the truth either.”

“Why not? Everyone has past relationships. He can’t get mad about that.”

“Because he’d be jealous and insecure about us working together. How fucking stupid is that, though? I mean, come on…” I turn my hand around, showing off my ring.

“That’s hilarious.”

I tilt my head. “No! It was awkward.”

“Well, maybe it’s time to come clean about your previous relationships. It’s not like he didn’t date a decade before you were even legal.”

I roll my eyes. “He’s not that old.”

“At least tell me the sex is mind-blowing. Like if he’s the best you’ve ever had, I’ll forgive his old man traditional values.”

I think about it. Sadly, I barely remember the last time we had sex.

Her mouth falls open when I take too long to respond.

“If it was monumental, you would’ve immediately answered with a fat, cheesy grin.” She frowns. “It’s mediocre at best, isn’t it?”

I hate the pitiful look on her face.

“I seriously can’t get anything past you.”

“We used to exchange diaries, remember? I especially loved your middle school entries about my brother.” She giggles.

“That was your idea!” I remind her, blushing at the memory.

“Yeah, and I learned a lot about you that summer. And you learned a lot about me too.”

I nod as I remember reading about how much she missed having her mother in her life. We connected, and that bond has never been broken.

“Well, I’m not sure what to say, but sorry. You’re too young to be compromising hot as fuck sex. You deserve someone who’s not so vanilla—some hair-pulling, ass-smacking, throat-squeezing sex—Neapolitan would be more your style.”

“Jesus.” I chuckle at her description, but she’s not wrong. That sounds hot as hell. “You’re right. But I’m pretty vanilla too.”