Page 48 of Carnal Risk

“What are you talking about?” Garrett began cracking open eggs, pouring their contents into a bowl and discarding the shells into the sink. Several pieces fell into the mixture and he began picking out the broken shards.

“Who the hell do you think I’m talking about? Selby. Where is she?”

“She’s asleep.” He began to whisk the yolks, focused on his task.

“No. Tell me you didn’t.”

“What?” Garrett set the bowl back on the counter.

“You had sex with her again, didn’t you?”

Garrett shrugged, and gave him a shy smile.

“Exactly what the fuck is wrong with you? Didn’t we just have this discussion last night? You said you wouldn’t hurt her.”

“I won’t.” Garrett’s tone turned serious. “You don’t understand.”

“What’s to understand? I brought her to you because she’s the best at what she does.”

“Yeah, you took me to a club where she sat on my lap.”

“I did that to help you to get out of your funk, so you could see she wasn’t just some desk-jockey. She had no idea who you were or why I brought you there.”

“I may be grieving but I’m not the one who’s dead. That night…” Garrett plowed his fingers through his tousled hair and shook his head. He began rummaging through several cabinets. “I didn’t go looking for her. This is not my fault. You introduced me to her.”

“So she could go to work for you. Not so you could fuck her. Jesus, Garrett. We just talked about this. You can have anyone you want. Selby is special.” He paused and sighed. “I thought she was pissed at you, anyway.”

“She was. But we talked and things are cool.”

“See, that right there. That’s what I mean. She catches you with your pants down and all you do is throw her the charm and what? She forgives you?”

“First,” Garrett slammed a pan down onto the stove and turned around to face his friend, “I did not have my pants down. We already talked about this. Blaire came on to me. And second, I’d never do that to Selby…not ever. She’s what you said. She’s…”

“What?”

“She’s special, okay? I just…I can’t let her go right now.” Garrett focused on igniting the gas flame.

“And what’s going to happen when she doesn’t like you base jumping or jumping out of planes or taking off on a moment’s notice to face climb? What’s she going to do then? She’s not like us. I keep telling you that but you don’t seem to want to accept it.”

“I don’t know. It’s not like Altura is the only important thing I do. Maybe I’ll cut back on some events. I’m pretty busy now anyway.”

“Are you kidding me?” Lars shook his head and laughed out loud. “I never thought this would happen…not to you.”

“What now?” With his back turned, he shrugged, throwing his hands up in the air.

“You like her.”

“Fuck yeah, I like her. I keep telling you that. I think it’s pretty evident.”

“I can’t believe this.”

“What, Lars? That I actually am capable of liking someone? I don’t even know where this thing is going with us. Would you give it a rest?”

“Be real with me. I’m not even joking. You really like her, don’t you? No fucking around. Garrett Emerson doesn’t cut back on jumping for anyone anytime. She’s in your head,” he pressed.

“Holy shit, Lars. What do you want me to say?” Exasperated, he blew out a breath and grabbed the bowl. He dumped the contents into the frying pan and it sizzled. “Yeah, okay. I like her a lot. I just told you that. I know this isn’t optimal. I get you don’t want me to hurt her, that you’re her friend. I’m sorry.”

“Just please don’t treat her like the others. Now listen, I’m not judging. I get why you treat dates like paper plates.”