Page 31 of Flirting with 40

“Forget those last-minute things. Put a jacket on and come meet us.”

“What?” I laugh the word as if he’s crazy. “Where? Us? What are you talking about?”

“Spontaneity, Blakely. That’s what I’m talking about.” There is someone laughing in the background as I turn my back to Kelsie and lean my hips against the counter. “My friends and I have a monthly bonfire down at the beach. I missed the last one, but I’m here. Right now. The waves are at my back and the fire is in front of me.”

“And you want me there?”

“Yes.” His laugh is carefree. “I realized you might have some reservations about hopping in a car and going on a trip with a man you only know about through his own comments.”

“Seems like a rational thought.”

“Then come hang out with us. Come get to know me and put your mind at ease. Get a head start on that last item on the to-do list.”

Say yes.

“I don’t want to intrude on your time with your friends.” It’s a total contradiction to the yes my head is telling me to say.

“What better way to get to know me than through my friends? They’re brutally honest even when I don’t want them to be.”

“Slade . . . I—”

“C’mon, Blakely.” His voice is singsongy and possibly slightly buzzed, but the way he says my name makes me stand a bit taller. “Come put your toes in the sand for a bit.”

“We’re leaving in the morning.”

“The night’s still young.”

“I—”

“I’m not taking no for an answer. I’m texting you directions. See you in a bit,” he says before the call ends.

“Seriously?” Kelsie says at my back. “You were actually going to say no to a voice like his and a request like that? Are you insane?”

“Yes. No.” I blow out an audible sigh.

But he called me.

He asked me to go.

When Kelsie moves to my line of sight, there is a stern expression on her face and her arms are crossed over her chest. The look in her eyes warns me she’s going to fight the old me from turning down his offer.

And she’s right.

This ends right here. Right now.

Out with the granny panties. In with the lacy boy shorts.

“I need to go get changed,” I say.

Kelsie’s lips stretch into a grin as a loud whoop falls from her lips. “You are soooo getting laid this week.”

CHAPTER TEN

Blakely

The scene before me is gorgeous—moonlight over the water and fire dancing against the sand.

I don’t have an excuse not to get out of my car. No barely there bikinis on drunken women. No frat boy atmosphere. Just a small group of friends, laughing and relaxing. I don’t have a reason to turn around and go home.