“Or we could. Lorraine’s a vet. You could have her check them out, make sure he didn’t hurt them.”
“That’s fine. I’m sure Lydia will appreciate it. I'll clear it with CSU and let her know.”
“Thanks.”
I headed for the door, stopping just within to look at him. He’d shown there was more to him than I’d thought. I could see some of what drew Stacey to him. “Stacey does want a forever relationship. She just doesn’t believe they exist, and she’s not willing to risk seeing if they do.”
He looked at me in surprise. “I can’t tell if you’re saying I should keep trying, or if there’s no hope for me.”
I shrugged. “All I know is you can’t win if you don’t play. Think hard, though. You can’t change her to fit your idea of the perfect woman, any more than she can change you. Either you want her, warts and all, or you don’t.”
He nodded. “I hear you.”
“Look at that. Progress already. Nothing sexier than a man who listens. Nothing harder to find, either.”
I waved my fingers at him and left, smiling when I heard him laugh.
Maybe he wasn’t as fuckwitted as he’d been acting. Only time would tell.
ChapterEleven
We gatheredat Luke’s after we escaped from Flannery’s party. He’d been perp-walked out in front of all his guests, and even though he was taken to the hospital, it was obvious he was no longer a free man. Videos had been flying up onto the net from all the guests who’d managed to capture the moment. With any luck, the video Lorraine had taken would end up there, too.
“Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy,” I said from where I sat on the floor. Ajax lay between my legs with his head pillowed on my thigh. I leaned against the couch where Jen and Stacey sat. Luke sprawled in an overstuffed chair. I lifted my beer toward the TV, where Flannery had just shuffled to the ambulance, hands cuffed, and trying to scratch the incessant itches plaguing him. “May he reap all that he sowed,” I said, and then took a swallow of my beer.
“Amen,” Jen said.
“When does the pizza get here?” Stacey asked. “I haven’t eaten all day, and this beer is going straight to my head.”
“Best stay away from Luke, then. He’s not above seducing you when you’re drunk,” Jen said.
“You’d stop him,” Stacey said confidently.
“Or we’d wave good-bye and tell you to have fun,” I said.
She nudged my shoulder with her bare foot. “You wouldn’t.”
“I might.”
“Traitor.”
“You’ve said it many times: orgasms are the best way to release stress.”
“Says the woman who's been sharing a bed with a stunningly handsome man and has yet to play ride ‘em, cowboy,” Jen drawled.
“I have issues,” I said.
“And he has blue balls,” Luke said. “I can relate.”
“As if,” Stacey said. “Your sperm turns over faster than condoms at a sex club.”
“French fries at McDonalds,” I suggested.
“Coffee at Beck’s house,” Jen added.
“You three are a pain in the ass. Why did I let you into my house again?”
“You’re horny and hopeful,” Jen said.
