Page 105 of The Plus One Pact

"No, I am." By any objective measure, I'm in a good place, financially. But it's like Sasha said: I'll have to keep working until my dick falls off. This isn't forever. It didn't bother me a month ago. Why does it suddenly bother me now?

"From your consulting work?" he asks.

"Is it that hard to believe?" I ask.

Mercifully, the buzz of my phone delays his reply.

Ivy: The search for a third for tonight? You're good with two guys, right?

Romeo: If that's a bluff, I'm calling it.

Ivy: And if I bring a guy to your mom's house?

Romeo: We can say it's part of your guest lecture on spicing up your marriage.

Ivy: Can you imagine?

Romeo: I can. It would happen. She'd say yes. "Don't be so upright, mi vito, pleasure is an important part of life. How can you have a happy marriage if you have a stale bedroom?"

Ivy: She would say that to you?

Romeo: I was thinking Daniel. Why? Do I need to hear it?

Ivy: Not yet. Time will tell.

My lips curl into a smile. When is the last time a woman challenged my sexual skill? It feels good, to have someone push me. To not coast.

When is the last time anyone looked close enough to wonder?

And it implies a future together. A future of sex together, yes, but that’s still a future. Even Daniel would agree sex is an important part of a relationship.

I like the vision of a future with her. There’s a beauty to it.

I like her.

Daniel chuckles in that knowing older brother way. Like we’re still close. Like he approves of me.

I try to ignore the pride that fills my chest, but I can't. So, I let it fill me anyway.

Romeo: Are you good to stay out with Cynthia all day? Or do you need help there?

Ivy: I'm good. But thanks for checking.

Romeo: You two talking about me?

Ivy: Constantly.

Romeo: What are you saying?

Ivy: Oh, you know how it goes, "Romeo's dick this, Romeo's dick that."

Romeo: Comparing me and Daniel?

Ivy: We did stop at the supermarket to look at some zucchinis, but that was totally unrelated…

Romeo: Really. Is she okay?

Ivy: I think so. Just nervous about the wedding. She's sweet. She loves him a lot.