“You know what I think?” The question is obviously rhetorical, so I drink my beer and don’t have to wait long to find out. “I think kissing Dallas has knocked something loose in your head.”
“Ha! Maybe.”
Her glass is now curled up in her hand like she’s cuddling it to herself. “Ooh, do tell.”
“I don’t know. He’s such a flirt.”
“That’s nothing new.”
“But it is with me. Well, sort of.” I pause, listening to Thomas Rhett crooning from the sound system. “He’s always been flirty with anyone who has two X chromosomes, me included. But he’s been more…intense since we got engaged.”
“Fake engaged,” Josie Mae corrects me.
“Yes, of course.”
“Just checking.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I wave her off. “But now he’s being all touchy-feely, even when nobody is around.”
She tilts her head, her sheet of midnight hair cascading down her arm while she chases her wayward straw with her tongue. “Interesting.”
“No, it’s really not. This isDallas. He has the sexual restraint of a fourteen-year-old boy. His dick has a mind of its own.”
“And what about you? Does Little Shelby have a mind ofherown?” Jo giggles. She’s always been a lightweight.
“Did you just call my vagina Little Shelby?” Her only response is a cackle, and because I’m now feeling a little tipsy too, I spit out the truth. “I don’t know what Little Shelby thinks.She’s never really slept around, you know? But at this point, Big Shelby is wondering why sleeping with a dirtbag like Shane is perfectly acceptable but sleeping with someone who’s a decent human being isn’t. It’s just sex. I don’t know. The last thing I want to do is ruin our friendship.”
Her response baffles me. “Dallas and Hallie are great friends.”
“What?”
“No.” She lays her palm on the wooden table between us. “I just mean Dallas and Hallie used to sleep together, but it doesn’t affect their friendshipnow. They’re just pals. Well, and parents, of course.”
Huh. “That’s true. I guess I never thought about it. But you’re right. There’s never any awkwardness between them. Not even with Bowen, and he’s well aware his wife slept with Dallas.”
“It’s called being adults.” Jo nods sagely. “Maybe they can sit Tad down and show him how to be an adult.”
“That may be the worst idea I’ve ever heard.”
“Eh, I was just spitballing.” She shrugs again and goes in for another sip of cranberry vodka but then pauses. “Spitballing…that’s such a weird term, isn’t it? I mean, it’s actually really disgusting when you think about it.” Her lip curls. “Chewing up paper and blowing it through a straw. Getting your saliva everywhere. Whatisthat? And what does it have to do with brainstorming?” She gasps. “Brainstorming! Another weird word! Is there a hurricane in your brain? What is this madness?!”
And I don’t know if it’s the beer or the actual topic, but now she has me going. “And what about the word disgruntled. I mean, really? Have you ever beengruntled?”
Josie Mae raises an index finger in all seriousness. “I havenot.”
“You ladies want another round?” Norinne asks.
My response is immediate. “Oh, absolutely.”
“Oh, Daaaaally,” I sing-song quietly as I toe off my sandals, not really calling for him but alsokind of? Norinne’s husband, Tank, just dropped me off after delivering Josie Mae to her house. Sophie is spending the night at a friend’s, so Jo will sleep it off before she has to mom again.
The house is quiet, but Dallas left the hall light on for me. He’s such a nice guy. And a great roommate.
“Feelings schmeelings,” I murmur to myself as I tiptoe from the entryway to the hall. “It’s time to bang.”
The bedroom door opens with a gentle creak, the light from the hall illuminating a bare-chested Dallas sprawled on his back on the bed. Is my mouth watering? I run the back of my hand over it to check. Nope. Just in my head. I look over at Nelly, who’s eyeing me like I’ve disturbed his slumber. I put my finger to my lips and shush him.
Dallas doesn’t stir as I step closer and watch his chest rise and fall in a slow rhythm. I wonder if the light smattering of hair would tickle against my bare skin. I really should find out. If only for science.
