“And is Odette still a wedding planner?”
“Yes, but she doesn’t plan to get married either.”
He laughs—like full-on laughs, which is a very rare feat with him—and shakes his head. “You’re an even bigger dumbass than I thought if you’re buying that shit.”
“No, I’m serious. She has this whole thing with her family. A curse is what they call it. Odette believes it’s going to be her downfall. She doesn’t want to get married because of it.”
“I’ve heard about that. I’ve also heard that all the women in her family don’t care and keep getting married anyway.”
“Not all of them. Not her.”
I’m not sure why I’m defending this so much, especially since I don’t fully believe in the curse either. Nobody’s life is dictated by something like that unless they let it be, and that’s what I think the Chambers women are doing. They’re letting the curse run their lives instead of living.
But here I am anyway, using the curse as an excuse so I don’t have to admit that the thing I’m doing with Odette is likely going to end badly if we keep going the way we are.
I shouldn’t be hanging out with her like I am. This was supposed to be just sex. Something fun. Casual. It wasn’t supposed to be late nights on the couch, cupcakes just because, or her cooking dinner for me.
We’re going way beyond what we agreed to, and it’s all because I can’t get enough of her.
“That may be the case,” Ezra says, pulling me back to our conversation, “but it doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. What happens if Izzy finds out?”
“She won’t.”
“But what if she does? You’re going to explain to her that you’re sleeping with her best friend, but it’s not serious? And that it’s not going to affect their friendship at all when you stop bumping uglies with each other? That it won’t make those combined family dinners weird? Is that really the kind of stress you want to put on her before her wedding? The wedding said best friend is planning?”
“No, which is exactly why Izzy isn’t going to find out.”
He holds his hands up at my not-so-subtle threat. “I’m not saying shit to her. But I am saying thatyoushould, especially if you’re going to be hanging out with Odette every night and letting this ‘casual’ thing turn serious.”
“It’s not turning serious.”
He chuckles again, shaking his head. “Whatever you say, man. I think you’re in over your head with no way out, but whatever. This is your shit show. I’m just here to watch.”
He packs up his laptop and the stack of papers he always seems to be carrying around, then heads toward the back office.
Ezra is wrong. This isn’t getting serious with Odette. Yeah, I’m spending a lot of time with her lately, but so what? It’s still casual. We’ve just become friends, is all. This is a good thing, even. We’re both stressed about the wedding. I want to get it right for my sister, and Odette wants to get it right to save her business. Us sleeping together is just a good way to blow off steam. It’s no big deal.
I keep telling myself that as I gather my things and head out to my truck. I repeat it as I stop by my house for a quick shower and to grab Pork, who is finally getting to meet Beans tonight.
I keep it right at the forefront of my mind as I stop off at the grocery store, grabbing some fresh garlic, a bottle of the wine I know Odette likes, and a dozen cookies with peanut butter M&M’s. Just before I reach the counter, I grab a six-pack of Stick Taps cider just so it doesn’t look like I’m only showing up with stuff for her.
I park my truck in the back of her apartment complex just in case, then climb the two floors to her door.
When it swings open and she smiles at me, I’m not thinking about Ezra’s words or how guilty I feel for hiding this from my sister.
All I’m thinking about is her.
“Noah.” She reaches out, grabs me by my shirt, and tugs me into her apartment. She presses to her tiptoes, then plants her lips against mine. “Hi.”
“Hi yourself.” I kiss her again. “It smells good in here.”
“I hope so. I spent an hour making the sauce for it.” She holds her hands out for Pork, who happily goes to her. “And how’s my sweet little baby?”
“Sweet?” I snort. “That thing’s a demon. He woke me up eight minutes before my alarm went off this morning. He’s as bad as Tootsie is when it comes to wanting breakfast by six.”
“Aww. He’s just a hungry, growing boy. Right, baby?” She rubs her nose against his. “You’re just like Beans, whom I know you’re going to love. If I can find her, that is.”
“She’s missing?”
