Page 57 of Dr. Sexypants

The panic part must have been the one in charge when I blurted out, “But not exclusively.”

****

Justin

We hadn’t officially said we were exclusive, but I sure as fuck wasn’t seeing anyone else.

Was she?

I winked at Granny O’Brien and said, “But I’m not on the market.”

Judging by Kristy’s glare, that’d been the wrong thing to say.

Chapter Nineteen

Kristy

“I can’t believe he said that!” I said as I pushed in chairs and picked up trash after the bakery’s late-morning rush.

Lainey paused wiping a table down to look over at me. “Tell me again what he said.”

“He told Granny O’Brien he wasn’t on the market after she asked about his relationship status!”

“And that’s a bad thing because...?”

“Because I’d just told her that we weren’t exclusive. So now it sounds like he’s exclusive, and I’m the whore if I date anyone else.”

“Are you dating anyone else?”

“Well, no. But I might. And if I do, I don’t want people talking shit about me.”

Lainey snorted. “Hel-lo? How long have you lived in Haven Springs? Whether you declared your non-exclusivity or not, people are going to talk if they see you out with someone else.”

“I know you’re right. But Justin saying he’s not dating anyone else will make me the player if I do.”

“You are a player.”

“That’s not fair. Or true. I’ve been up front with everyone I’ve ever dated. I haven’t lied or led them on. Just because I date more than one man doesn’t make me a player.” I pushed in a few more chairs and whirled around. “And I’ve never slept with more than one guy at a time.”

“But you’re sleeping with Justin.”

“Yeah. So?”

“So, then you’re monogamous with him. Which, hate to break it to ya, babe, is the same as exclusive.”

Son of a bitch.

“Okay, technically, yes. But I’ve told him I don’t want a boyfriend, so if—no, when—I decide to see someone else, I shouldn’t be painted as the bad guy.”

Lainey cocked her head at me before observing, “Maybe you won’t want to see anyone else. Justin seems great.”

“He is great. For now. But it’s only a matter of time before he’s not.”

“Now who’s not being fair?”

Me.

But I was too damn stubborn to admit that out loud.