Page 42 of Stud

My soon to be ex-bestie tossed her head back with another wild laugh, pretty much all she’d done since I told them I’d flirted with another man after asking Owen to describe his ideal BJ. Once she’d gained control of her faculties, Gwen wrenched one of my hands from under my thigh and laced our fingers together. “I’m sorry, love. I will make fun of you forever for it, but I get that this is hard for you. I wasn’t sure you’d let yourself fall for someone again after Brandon.”

She kissed my knuckles, and we turned our attention to Rachel, who shrugged. “I wish I had more dirt. He did have a girlfriend or something in D.C. and is single now, but that’s all I know. He seems like a good guy. Jimmy wouldn’t be friends with an asshole.”

There was truth in that, but it didn’t lessen my turmoil. “I hate Brandon for ruining me like this. I shouldn’t be this nervous to date again.”

The girls traded sad, puppy-dog faces. To me, Rachel said, “Have you told Owen?”

I extricated my hand from Gwen’s to sip my drink, curling in on myself the way I had with Owen yesterday when the words were at the tip of my tongue. “No. I almost did, but I chickened out.”

There was nothing easy about admitting you were dumb enough to be duped.

“Well, I think you should,” Gwen said. “Putting your trust in him is a big deal for you. If you’re not honest, you guys don’t stand a chance.” Gwen never minced words.

Rachel’s doe eyes softened. “From what I know of Owen, and what you’ve said, he seems like the type of guy who’ll put your mind at ease. You deserve this, Ainsley. There are lots of jerks out there, but there are good guys, too.”

They were right. I knew they were. I had to lay my dirty laundry out for Owen so I didn’t wind up worse off than after Brandon’s betrayal. Although watching my friends fill my ex’s door lock with expanding foam while he was inside had made me giddy. Navy SEALs had nothing on us.

As I’d done a hundred and seven times today, I slipped my phone from my purse to check my messages. My belly whirled at the sight of Owen’s name. He’d texted me an hour ago.

My hotel room is lonely.

It was like he’d sensed what I needed to hear. With the time difference, he was probably asleep by now, but I couldn’t resist replying. Don’t they have gay porn?

A second later: I’ve already watched it all.

I could practically hear him chuckling from three thousand miles away, and I clenched.

Clitoris catnip.

You at home? he wrote.

At a club with the girls. The margaritas are flowing.

The girls in question made kissy faces at me and my phone. I could only imagine the goofy grin I was sporting. One word from Owen, and I was like a giant mop, swoopy and loose. Or maybe it was the margaritas. Rachel’s fourth glass of wine was almost finished. She dragged Gwen to the dance floor, giving me some privacy. I snorted as Reckless Rachel made her appearance, busting an uncoordinated move. I should have been filming the moment for posterity, but my attention slipped back to my phone. To Owen on the other side of the country.

There was no reply. You still awake?

We’ll talk later.

My levity dropped, nothing but a chill in those words. A chill I understood. If he’d told me he was at a club with friends, I’d have shut down on him, too. God, I was insensitive.

Then I stooped to a new low. Guys came by our table. Asked to buy us drinks.

His pause lasted an eternity. Don’t know what you want me to say to that.

Music thumping, heart racing, I wrote, I told them no.

Another pause. Why?

I didn’t know where we stood, couldn’t control what he was doing or thinking all that distance away. But I could be honest. Because the only guy I want to drink with is you.

His next delay held more promise. Then, Ainsley.

Yeah? My bated breath was practically fogging up my phone.

I miss you something fierce.

My heart pinballed. The stars and lights around me exploded in my eyes. I needed more of him, something to get me through the next couple of days. He was three hours ahead of me, but he was awake. Don’t move. Don’t go to sleep. I’m heading home and want to hear your voice.