Our eyes met once more before I checked the screen.
David:It’s taking everything in me not to come over there. You are KILLING me in that gold dress, honeybee.
10
Stirring from my wine-induced mini-coma, I stretched my legs under the covers. Bill’s arm around my middle pulled me closer. He slid his hand up my front, his need pressing into my backside.
“I can’t,” I said softly when he nuzzled my neck and kissed my jaw. “I’m hungover.”
Bill flopped over and sighed. “How was last night?”
“Nice,” I said. “Spirits were high, and the food was good.”
“And the head chef? Jeff, right?”
“Seems really sweet. Poor guy doesn’t stand a chance against Gretchen, though.”
Bill laughed. “How does she do it? She’s hot and all, but damn. I wouldn’t touch her.”
I sat up and looked back at him with a frown. “Why not?”
“Who knows how many guys she’s slept with? She’s always seeing someone new. Gives me the creeps just thinking about it.”
“Babe, she doesn’t sleep with all the guys she goes out with.” I got out of bed and pulled on a t-shirt. “Even if she did, who cares?”
“I’m just saying, it’d be a deal-breaker for me.”
Bill had a tendency to tease Gretchen, but it was all in good fun. What he was saying now, though? It didn’t feel the same. “So if you’d found out I had a reputation, you never would have gone out with me?”
He remained quiet. Probably wise.
“You wouldn’t say that if she was a man,” I pointed out.
Irritated, I went to the kitchen to make coffee.
Eventually, Bill stumbled out in a t-shirt and boxers. “I just couldn’t deal with knowing half of Chicago had seen my wife naked.” He came over and kissed the corner of my mouth, his breath minty on my cheek. “I’m not going to find that out, am I?”
“Bill.”
“I’m teasing.” He took two mugs from a shelf and passed me one. “You’re nothing like Gretchen.”
I turned to face him. “See, what do you mean by that?”
“Babe. Seriously?” Picking up the coffee pot, he continued, “Sometimes she’s dating more than one guy at a time. That’s disgusting.”
“She’s our friend,” I said as he poured two cups. “Don’t call her disgusting.”
“She’syourfriend. And let’s be honest, she’s a little slutty. One day it’ll catch up with her.”
I picked up a mug from the counter and warmed my hands with it. “I know for a fact there are guys at your firm who sleep with a new woman or two every weekend. I don’t call them names.”
“They’re assholes,” he said.
“Youare acting like an asshole.”
“Okay. You’re right. I’m wrong.” He raised a palm in surrender. “The chef could be the one. I mean, look at me—I never thought I stood a chance with you, yet here I am.”
He sipped his coffee.
