“We’re making sugar and spice love bites.” I start stacking plates.
Anything to distract myself from my hard-on. I circle the table until my hands are full, then drop them off in the kitchen. I take a second to breathe, clutching the edge of the counter.
I’ve never reacted this way to a woman. I’m not even sure what it is.
The doors swing shut behind me when I re-enter and continue collecting plates.
“What are you wearing?” Jaclyn asks Shay.
“I haven’t given it a thought. Maybe jeans and—.”
Jaclyn waves her hands. “It’s formal.”
I pause, plate in hand. Shit. I didn’t tell her. I hadn’t even thought about it. I’ve been so absorbed with her.
“Black tie,” Zoe adds.
“Think gowns,” Zara says.
“Gowns?” Shay’s eyebrows knit together.
Laughter bubbles from the table.
“The Valentine’s Day theme was highly debated,” Jaclyn says. “Divorced, Not Dead.”
“Love is Canceled.” Zoe sets her fork down.
“Single, Selective, and Satisfied,” Zara adds.
“Burn the Rulebook.” Nettie winks at me.
I hear you, Nettie. You want to toss away our age gap and get naked.
Shay smiles, confused. “Those are your Valentine's Day themes?”
“Sweetie.” Jaclyn squeezes her arm. “This is an anti-Valentine’s Day event.”
“Oh.” Her mouth forms a perfect circle.
“Happily never after and choosing fairytale dresses but in black.”
“Better off brilliant.”
“Once burned, but well dressed.”
Jaclyn points at one of the women. “That was mine.”
The woman smiles. “I know. It was perfect.”
Shay’s eyes skate to mine. She’s cursing me out with a glance. I’m hosting an anti-Valentine’s and falling for her.
My insides stop.
Falling for her? No. This is a fling. Nothing more than a fling.
“We chose Chapter Two Club.” Jaclyn passes me her plate. “Modern cocktail dresses. Satin. Crepe. Minimalist silhouettes. Anything like that’ll work?”
Shay shakes her head. “I didn’t bring anything like that.”
