“Technically, I asked for a month beforeseeinghim with someone else,” Yasmine said with amusement.“But you don’t have to apologize.I knew you two were going to end up together.”
“You did?”Even as Audrey said the words, she remembered how she’d felt like Yasmine had been pushing her toward Mason, maybe even giving her blessing.Though she hadn’t come right out and said it like that.
“You two are either very dense or were very much in denial.”Yasmine shook her head.“I’ll admit, it was beyond me to flat-out say ‘go hook up with my ex’, but I really did think I was pretty clear.”
“You were,” Audrey reassured her, even though she hadn’t been sure at the time.
Yasmine eyed her but didn’t comment on the fact that obviously Audrey hadn’t believed her.
“Anyway.Mason assured me that he’d let you know I’m fine with everything, happy for you, actually, but I had a minute and wanted to come say it in person.”
Because she was nice.Too nice.So nice it made Audrey’s heart hurt for her, knowing her own happiness was coming at Yasmine’s expense.
“Thank you.”That didn’t seem quite right.“I really am sorry, though.”
“Stop apologizing.”Yasmine shook her head.“It’s my own fault.I’m the one who thought I’d found a workaround to the curse.I set myself up for this.”
“You couldn’t possibly have known that Mason and I would… well… I mean, we didn’t do anything before you two broke up, but…” Audrey fumbled over her words before sputtering to a stop and dragging in a deep breath.
“I know you didn’t.”How could Yasmine be so calm when Audrey was a hot mess, and Yasmine was the one who had been wronged?“But I know how my curse works.I’ve had enough experience with it.”
“Well, we’ll do whatever we need to in order to make you comfortable,” Audrey said quickly.“More than a month, if you don’t want to see us together.And we don’t have to go back to the club at all.”
Although she wanted to, if only to learn more about kink and be with their friends, but whatever Yasmine wanted, she would do.
“I’m fine, and you guys shouldn’t avoid the club.I’m not planning on going back there for a while, anyway.”
“But… I thought you had a good scene with Master Cole…” Audrey felt even worse now, no matter what Yasmine said.
“I did.But I also think I need a break from the club.Do you know how many of my exes are there?”Yasmine shook her head.“Too many.I’m going to start doing some of the house parties with Jennifer when I need to scratch the kink itch.I told Mason that, too.”
“I’m sorry.”
“If you apologize one more time, I’m going to start keeping a count and telling Mason to spank you for each time.”Yasmine eyed her.
Audrey pressed her lips together to keep from apologizing for apologizing.She didn’t want to make Yasmine have to tell her ex to spank Audrey.Even if it was Yasmine’s idea.As threats went, it made for a really good one.
Yasmine’s lips quirked up in a small smile.
“Anyway.That’s what I wanted to come say.Friends?”
“Of course!”Relief flooded Audrey, and she opened her arms as she got to her feet.Yasmine stood up into her hug and squeezed her back as Audrey hugged her fiercely.She felt a lot lighter than she had before.“Thank you for coming and telling me yourself.”
“You’re welcome.”Yasmine pulled back and smiled at her.There was still sadness in her eyes, but she was clearly trying.Maybe Audrey could try to find someone to set her up with.“I’ll see you at book club?”
“I’ll be there.”Though the reminder of book club made her want to stay in the office and hide, because once Yasmine left, she was going to have to go face her grandmother.She could only imagine that Cassidy would have updated her, Mary, and Karen by now on the triangle of awkward between Yasmine, Mason, and Audrey.
Hopefully, it wouldn’t be as awkward after this.
Audrey let Yasmine out of the office, giving her another hug goodbye, then shut the door firmly behind her.She still needed to yell at Mason for not giving her a heads-up.That was a good reason for staying in.It wasn’t avoiding her grandma; it was dealing with something else that needed to be dealt with.
Except when she opened her phone, she realized she’d had it on Do Not Disturb, and there were two missed calls from Mason, along with a voicemail and several texts.
He’d tried to get in touch with her.
Which was better, right?Even though it meant she had to go face her grandma sooner rather than later.
But she could put it off a little longer by giving him a call back and telling him that Yasmine had stopped by.
