“My life is in shambles,” I said as I taped a box shut. “This is no time for partying.”
“It’s the perfect time for partying,” she countered. “You need to get drunk while looking at a giant fire. I promise it’ll help you relax. It’s like country therapy.”
“The fire might help me relax,” I said, wondering if I should finish the thought out loud. Jessie was my closest friend in the world though, so I went for it. “But Luke Whitaker won’t.”
She shivered like she’d just gotten a chill. “Luke Whitaker makes me ovulate.”
“Gross.”
“What does he have to do with anything?”
“He’s going to be there tonight.”
Her eyes widened. “No way. How could you possible know that?”
“Um, because he helped me move the first batch of boxes earlier.”
“Liar, you said Nic helped you.”
“He did. And Luke was with him,” I informed her.
“And you waited this long to tell me? What the hell is wrong with you?”
“I tense up around him, that’s what wrong with me.” I shook my head and grabbed another box. “That man is the opposite of relaxing.”
“Oh, I bet there’s something he could do to relax you.”
“Stop. He’s famous and… and he wouldn’t want to have anything to do with me.”
“It’s not what he’ll do with you. It’s what he can do to you.” She waggled her eyebrows.
“Is sex all you think about?”
“When you mention, Luke, then yes. From the front, from behind, upside down. I’m picturing it all.”
“Stay away from him,” I said before I even realized I was going to say it.
She gave me a look. “Well, well, well, looks like someone is staking her claim.”
“I’m not. Although purely for the sake of argument, if one of us were to call dibs on him, it would certainly be me. I’ve known him longer.”
“You can’t call dibs on a person, but point taken. You’re into him. I’ll back off.”
“I’m not.” I huffed.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’re a grown woman and he’s hot enough to scorch the sun. Go get him. Shit, do it for me.”
“If it ever happens, I promise you’ll be the first to know.”
“I want pictures.”
We laughed.
“My landlord was cool enough to let me out of my lease, even though it was such short notice,” I said. “I won’t have to worry about rent in December, which is a Christmas miracle all on its own. Especially now that my car needs fixing.”
“Nic charges you? That’s cold.”
I smiled. “He only charged me for parts. But my point was, I need to be out of my place before the end of the month. So, please, help me pack this shit up.”
