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Eighteen

Itoss my phone back into my tote and get back to work. Part of me is sad, but a bigger part of me is relieved things are over between me and Kalon. It was obvious, to me at least, that I was starting to feel more, and he just wasn’t on the same page. And maybe it’s for the best. In the end, we would have wanted different things. I’ll just chalk it up to another Tinder fail, even though I ended up dating his kids first. Technically. Anyway, that’s done now, and I can put it behind me. I’m finishing a gun metal grey three-piece suit for one of our newest clients. Jamie is a thirty-eight-year-old venture capitalist. Never been married, never had kids. And he’s hot as fuck. Bit of a flirt, too, but it’s always harmless. He’s ordered at least four suits already, and I think it’s safe to assume he’ll become a regular. At one point, Oakley teased me about him, and said he wants me, but I was too caught up with all my Tinder fuck-ups to really pay attention. I’m still distracted when he does eventually show up to collect his suit. He strolls in, dressed in another suit I made, and smiles at me.

“Channing.”

“Jamie.” I smile politely. “I’m almost done.”

He checks his Rolex. “That’s okay, one of my meetings finished early so I figured I’d come by.” By anyone’s definition, Jamie is textbook attractive. Blonde hair, green eyes, over 6 feet tall, 5 o’clock shadow over high cheekbones and a sharp jaw. He’s actually the type of guy I imagine would ask Oakley out, if she wasn’t off the market. But me? Not so much. Which is why his next question has me fumbling. Literally. “Do you have plans for the Fourth?”

I look at him, and catch a glimpse of Oakley on her side of the studio. She’s making all kinds of hand gestures and nodding her damn head like a bobble head. She has no idea I called it off with Kalon, I haven’t had a chance to tell her, and now she’s encouraging — that’s what it looks like — me to, what? I look back at Jamie and reply, “No, I don’t have plans yet.”

“I’m having a barbecue at my holiday house in Cape Cod; you’re welcome to join me, if you’d like.”

Ummm. I sneak a glance at Oakley, who’s nodding and pointing at Jamie’s back.

Jamie picks up on my hesitation and adds, “It’s just going to be me and a few friends, nothing big.” He obviously won’t take a ‘no thanks.’ And since Oakley is being an asshole, I decide to throw her under the bus.

“Sounds like fun, can I invite a few people?”

“Sure, the more the merrier.”

“Great.” I grin.

“Can I text you the details?”

“Yeah.” I recite my number since he’d only have the number for the studio.

“There,” Jamie says. “Sent you the details. Do you want to travel with me? I’m leaving Friday lunch time.”

“She’d love to,” Oakley interjects. “We finish early on Friday anyway.”

“So will you and Sebastian meet us there?” I ask with a smirk. If I’m going, I’m going to drag Oakley and Sebastian with me. Holland has plans of her own.

“Actually,” Oakley clears her throat. “Sebastian and I are going to the Hamptons with his parents.”

Which I know she’s not looking forward to because she hates Sebastian’s father. I’ve had the misfortune of meeting him a few times, he’s no peach to be around.

“Oak, we both know you’d rather go for a pap smear than spend an entire weekend with Sebastian’s family.” Too much information? Probably. But I’m playing hard ball.

Oakley blushes. “Well, yes, that’s true, but I wouldn’t want to intrude on whatever Jamie has planned.”

“It’s no intrusion, Oakley,” Jamie says. “I haven’t seen Bash in forever, it’ll be good to have you both there.” Did I mention Jamie knows both Sebastian’s family and Oakley’s?

“See? It’ll be a blast. I’m sure Sebastian can even get the Gullwing for the weekend.” Oakley flips me the bird, and Jamie chuckles.

“You ladies can sort out the details, but I’ll fetch you on Friday afternoon, Channing?”

“Sounds good,” I reply. “I’ll send you my address. You can let me know if we need to bring anything.”

“Everything is pretty much taken care of. Just make sure you pack a bikini; my place is beachfront so we’ll be outside.” He winks, and I wait for my belly to flip, or flop, or something. But it doesn’t. A girl can dream.

“I’ll see you Friday,” I say, placing his suit inside a garment bag. He takes it from me and kisses me on the cheek.

“I’ll be in touch,” he says. With the garment bag over his arm, he strolls out, and my gaze immediately goes to his ass. Tight. Firm. And still, nothing from my nether regions. Not even a twitch in my bean, or a flutter in my belly. Just. Nothing. I sigh and turn to find Oakley watching me.

“What’s up with you?”

I frown. “Nothing, why?”