I straightened. “We’re co-CEOs. Partners. In a way. I’m focusing on the long-term success of the company.”
“You go, girl.” Lucie lifted her glass in a toast. “Fuck the patriarchy!”
We all toasted that. Then I leaned toward Lucie. “Rough day?”
“Actually, I’m celebrating. Mia is fully weaned. I can drink whatever and whenever I want. Woo!” She lifted her margarita again, and some of it slopped onto the table.
“It’s a milestone,” Savannah said. She was the only other one of our friend group who’d given birth. “Though you’ll be a lightweight for a while, since you’re not consuming as many calories. Maybe slow down?”
“Are you telling me to stop? You can never, never ask me to stop drinking. That’s a line from a movie, you know,” Lucie said.
“I remember,” Savannah said.“Leaving Las Vegas.”
“Ugh, Lucie,” Carly said, sipping her drink, “why would you bring up such a sad movie on margarita night?”
“Sorry, sorry,” Lucie said. “Let’s talk about happier Nicolas Cage movies.”
My friends had made it too easy for me. I wouldn’t have to lie at all while Lucie argued with Savannah about whetherMoonstruckorAdaptationwas his best film, with Justine advocating forFace/Off.
Lucie took a break to pour everyone another round, and Carly said, “Bridget, what a nightmare to lose your passport while you were traveling. I’m so glad you made it back safely.”
“Me too,” I mumbled, holding my glass up for Lucie to slosh more margarita in. “Tell me about your Thanksgivings.”
“It was exactly the nightmare you’d imagine with my future mother-in-law. But we were worried about you. Were you lonely?” Carly asked.
Not at all. Cole hardly left my side.“No. It was fine.”
“Or bored?” Justine asked.
“There was plenty to do.” Byplenty,I meant Cole’s magnificent cock and equally impressive refractory period, not to mention his stamina. I bit my lip.
“No one offered to stay with you?” Savannah’s blue eyes, a lighter shade than Cole’s, were soft with sympathy.
It was an expression I’d never seen on his face. Cole Campion was all hard edges and pushing his agenda. He’d been persistent in getting me to let down my guard and slip into his bed, then relentless in pleasuring me. When we returned to reality, he readily agreed when I’d said we’d never sleep together again and tell no one about our vacation sexfest. Like none of it mattered to him. He’d said we’d be “better together,” but he only meant after we’d fucked the sexual tension away.
I hadn’t fucked anything away. I missed our closeness. Though I’d give up John’s desk of power before I’d ever admit it to him.
“Bridget?” Tessa said.
I blinked. “Sorry. I was thinking about…work.” I hated lying to my friends, and I hated Cole Campion for giving me something to lie to them about. Or did I hate myself for giving in to his sexy, “Can I kiss you, Bridget?” and then letting him do so much more than kiss me?
“No more thinking about work. It’s margarita night with the goddesses. Woo!” Lucie lifted her glass, unbalanced, and slipped to the floor. Then she roared with laughter.
“Okay, babe.” Danny was suddenly there, a rag tucked into the back pocket of his faded jeans. He hoisted her up, and she draped herself over him, still laughing. “Time to tuck you into bed.”
“Mmm, I like the sound of that,” Lucie said. “Wait, where’s Mia?”
He kissed her forehead, and something popped behind my breastbone. “Ma put her to bed an hour ago. She’s in the apartment with her. Say g’night to your friends.”
“Night, ladies.” With Danny’s help, she circled the table to hug everyone. She smelled like tequila and a massive hangover tomorrow but also like contentment. Danny steadied her, his hand under her elbow, his eyes scanning to ensure she wouldn’ttrip over a purse strap or errant stiletto. What was that tightness around my heart?
Longing. For the first time I could remember, I wantedthat.His hand on her hip supporting her, his hard body reinforcing her softer one, even his indulgent smile that carried the promise that he’d hold her hair back if she needed to puke.
Foolishly, I’d let myself believe Cole could be that for me. Honestly, he’d been that for me for five days, but now we were something else. Not quite the adversaries we were before I’d ended up stranded in a foreign country, but not inseparable like we’d been in Costa Rica.
And I missed it.
I tossed back the last sip of my drink and stood. “I’m heading out.” When my friends booed, I said, “It’s a work night. You’re going to regret it if you also have to be carried out of here.”
