Page 73 of Flirting with 40

“I’m always happy. I think the question you wanted to ask was, am I satisfied.” I glare at him. “And as you know, satisfaction is a hard thing to measure.”

“Funny.”

“Do you know what your goal is today in the plan to take Blakely back?”

“I think I’m afraid to ask.”

“It’s your turn to stand up to her today. If she pops off to you in the meeting this morning, or any other time, stand up for yourself. You’re gaining traction with your colleagues so you’ll have them silently rooting you on.”

I don’t give an answer because what he’s asking of me isn’t the easiest thing to do, and if I tell him I will and then fail, I’ll hate disappointing him.

“C’mon. Find that girl of mine who was howling at the moon last night and let her loose.”

* * *

“I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist calling,” I say in greeting as I stop just short of the amphitheater to talk to her before heading into my meeting.

“You know I’m dying to know what’s going on,” Kelsie says, her voice almost a squeal. “Have you gotten horizontal yet?”

“To sleep? Yes. I do believe sleeping works much better when you’re horizontal.”

“Oh, you’re sassy. I haven’t heard that in quite some time, which leads me to believe that you have, in fact, played with Slide-It-In-Slade.”

My grin is automatic and so is the need to tell her I have. It isn’t because I want to brag but because I’m so damn happy. “Perhaps.”

“That’s a definite yes. Why are you not screaming it from the rooftops? Or why are you wherever you are talking to me and not in bed with him?”

I chuckle. “I’m heading into a meeting, so he’s back in the cabin getting ready to round up the men and do who knows what with them. Whatever it is, I’m sure it will be a lot more fun than what I’m about to endure.”

“That bad, huh?”

I twist my lips for a beat as I think of how to answer. “Actually, it isn’t bad at all if we exclude the times I have to spend with her,” I say, glancing around to make sure no one is in earshot. “I haven’t laughed this much in a long time.”

“Don’t give me a pause like that,” she says, her voice turning serious. “I know you well enough to know a but always comes after your pregnant pauses, and it isn’t the kind of butt that comes on some sexy young doctor.” I don’t reply. “Spit it out, B. Was the sex that bad?”

“No. God no.” I laugh and then pinch the bridge of my nose. “He’s awesome, and each time has been great—”

“Each time?” She coughs the word out. “There’s been more than once?”

“Yes. No. Grrr,” I say with a part laugh, part sigh.

“You aren’t supposed to sound unsure of yourself after having incredible, mind-blowing sex, which I’m more than sure it was, so why do you?”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Words. Words are what you say.”

But she doesn’t push as the silence fills the line, and I figure how to articulate my thoughts. Maddie sees me across the way as she enters the building and lifts a hand in a wave. “How is it possible to feel on cloud nine with a man who I barely know but truly feel like I know, Kels? And even worse, I’m really happy, which is probably just from the endorphin rush from being with him the past couple of days. And I won’t bother getting into why I’m already silently panicking over what happens when this ends, but I am.”

“Oh Jesus. Did we take our overthinking pills this morning?” She laughs.

“It’s me, isn’t it? I always overthink. And, of course, I need to get inside, so I can’t talk—”

“Then I’ll be quick.” She tsks. “You’re allowed to be on any damn cloud you want without shame. Who says you don’t know him? Sometimes you simply have a connection with someone, and maybe Slade’s that someone. From the start, this whole thing with the two of you has been unexpected and weirdly right. So, don’t question the universe. Just accept it.”

“Uh-huh.” She’s crazy, but I nod in silent agreement.

“You aren’t happy because you’re with him. You’re happy because of how he makes you feel about yourself. You’re happy because you had some good sex with someone who I assume is treating you right. You’re happy because of you. Sure, he might point things out that make you see things differently, but no one can make you feel happy but yourself. So, wipe that nonsense out of your head.”