The fine hairs on my arms stand to attention, my insides suddenly pulsing emptily. I release a long breath. It’s definitely not menopause or the waiter that has left me a little wet.
‘Ah, here’s Sam with your mimosas.’ Our waiter, who I suddenly realise isn’t dressed like the rest of the waitstaff, begins lifting our drinks from a young blond’s tray. As he places mine in front, our eyes connect. ‘Priapus was also the son of Dionysus. Now there’s a god who knew who to have a good time.’ He winks. ‘I’m Tate, by the way.’
‘Orgies are your thing, are they?’
‘If you’re offering, I’m in.’ And with that, he takes his confident self back in the direction of the kitchen.
‘Oh my God, he was so flirting with you. Hard!’
‘Agreed,’ Ella adds.
‘Which makes him so your type!’
‘Thank you for that insight, dating guru. Maybe I just bring out the competitiveness in men?’
Ignoring my snark, Paisley turns to Ella. ‘She digs an alpha.’
‘Oh, me, too,’ answers a nodding Ella.
‘Yeah, but she likes the whole push and pull. Sparks and insults flying, that kind of deal.’
‘Really? Since when?’ But apparently, I’m not part of this discussion, just the topic.
‘Maybe Tate isn’tcaptain of industryenough?’ Ella suggests.
‘No, that’s not it. It’s all in the attitude, not the suit. Or wallet. I know she sounds like the queen, but don’t let the accent fool you. She’s an equal opportunities woman. The hating thing is just like foreplay to her, as far as I can tell.’
‘That is not true!’
‘Tell the truth and shame the devil.’ Ella giggles. ‘I saw you and Flynn interacting at the wedding. And can I just say, I almost needed a cigarette afterwards—and I don’t even smoke!’
‘But she’s suffered a bit of a drought since their hookup.’
Ella’s head whips from Paisley to me, then back again. ‘You mean, she slept with him?’ And back to me again. ‘You slept with him? At the wedding?’
‘Oh, there wasn’t much sleeping going on.’
I take a mouthful of my drink, unsure how I’d forgotten it was there, its sweetness and bubbles rolling across my tongue. I clear my throat. ‘Something tells me I’ll be needing a few more of these today.’
‘If mimosas will make you spill, I say bring them on!’ Ella raises her glass. ‘Cheers, lovelies. May all our ups and downs be between the sheets!’
Chapter 8
CHASTITY
Two more mimosas, a generous portion of eggs benny, and a sharing jug of Long Island Iced Tea later, things have begun to get personal. Very personal.
‘She’s afraid of commitment,’ says Paisley. ‘Her last proper relationship was years ago.’ She’s right, but I won’t allow the conversation down this painful path.
‘It’s hard to meet men in my line of work,’ I protest.
‘Aren’t all the men hard in your line of work?’ asks a giggling Ella.
‘I hate to burst your porn bubble, but that’s not always true.’ Unfortunately. ‘Sometimes they need a little help.’
‘Like a fluffer?’ she asks, her voice almost pitched high enough for only dogs to hear.
‘No, like Viagra.’
