No. Fucking. Way.
Literally. No fucking way.
Corrie about choked.
“Why not?”
He shrugged. “With everything going on with my parents and some changes at work, I haven’t had time for dating.”
“There’s always time for sex. Takes five minutes if you’re efficient,” she said matter-of-factly.
“I thought women didn’t like men who couldn’t last more than five minutes?”
“It serves its purpose. Sometimes all you need or want is a five-minute fuck.”
“Wow. You really are comfortable with your sexuality, aren’t you.” He didn’t say it like it was a question. It was definitely more of a statement. And a correct statement at that.
“Aren’t you?”
“Not anymore.”
“Maybe you need to try Tinder. It’s great for boosting your confidence.”
“You use Tinder?” His eyebrow raised.
She nodded. “Sometimes. What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m surprised, that’s all.”
“Why? Because it’s slutty?” She hated that stereotype. Why couldn’t women enjoy sex with random hookups as much as men did?
“No. Because I... I guess I thought you would be in a relationship.”
Corrie laughed. “What? Me? Oh no no no. I don’t think so,” she said shaking her head.
“Like, never?”
“Not in a long time. As you’ve acknowledged, our lifestyle doesn’t exactly lend itself to having stable relationships.”
“I mean, itcan. It just didn’t work for me and Addison. Lots of archaeologists and professors are married or in relationships.”
“Yeah, well, not this one. Think about it, Ford. Would I even be here right now if I were in a relationship? You gave me less than a week’s notice to fly out. What would I say? ‘Sorry, honey. Gotta go, but see you maybe in a few weeks or months’? And then, if you add kids to the mix, it only gets more complicated. I don’t see how that’s feasible. Not with all the things I want to do.”
“Things like what?”
“Like find Chimalli.”
“Okay, what if we find him here? What if, in a few weeks, we’re packing up with a crate of his bones and all these years of research and study finally culminate with the biggest archaeological discovery of our time? Then what?”
Corrie had never thought about life after Chimalli. Maybe because she’d never thought she’d actually have the opportunity to find him. Whatdidshe want to do with herself after that, assuming there wouldbean after?
“Then... I don’t know. But at least I have the freedom to explore the options.”
“I have to say, Corrie. You never cease to amaze me.”
“You’re amazed because I don’t want to be in a relationship and I use Tinder?” she asked, raising her brow and pursing her lips.
“No, I’m amazed because when I think I’ve started to figure you out, there’s something new I learn about you.”
