“Chicken salad sandwich,” she announces before dropping into the chair across from my desk. “And a chocolate chip cookie.”
“You’re the best!” I open the bag and tear into the sandwich wrapper, an easy thing to do with my claw-like nails.
“I couldn’t let you starve. You’ll need your energy later.” She wiggles her eyebrows.
I told her about WordIt and Barrett’s skilled tongue.
“It was probably a one-time thing. You know, because he feels bad that my nails are hideous.”
“No, he’ll want it again. No man tells you your pussy is his and then doesn’t come back for more.”
Maybe I shared too much. I take a bite of my sandwich and try not to blush. I had to confide in Jules. I’m out of my depth here with Barrett and his expert mouth.
My phone buzzes with a text. My heart skips a beat wondering if it’s from Barrett.
But, it’s not. It’s from Lauren asking if I got my bridesmaid dress.
After several attempts to text and autocorrect failing me every time, I give up and do a voice message instead.
“I got my dress. Love the lavender, it’s so pretty. Will take to the seamstress tomorrow.”
I set my phone down and turn to Jules.
While I was messaging Lauren, she was breaking off a bite of the cookie she got me.
“What do you think it means?” I ask.
“That I should have gotten two cookies.” She hums around a bite.
I shake my head, but realize I gave her no context to my question.
“About Barrett and last night.”
There’s a celery string stuck between my molars but it’s impossible to grasp with my nails. I give up trying to pinch it and take another bite.
“I think it means you’re the luckiest girl in the world. And you should plan to lose at WordIt every night.”
“No. I mean was it weird that he didn’t want me to reciprocate?”
“Maybe he wanted it to be all about you. You are going above and beyond as a fake girlfriend with this nail thing.”
“Yeah,” I say on a sigh.
“Hold on.” Jules’ eyes narrow. “Did you want to reciprocate?”
“Um, I guess I thought it was the polite thing to do.” And the outline of his dick had made my mouth water.
“Wait a second. Do you have a thing for Barrett?” she asks.
“What?”
“I thought this was a fun game. Like he’s trapped you in this fake relationship, so you’re happy to receive orgasms in return. A bonus for putting up with Barrett’s cranky ass. Is there more to it?” She’s eyeing me closely. “Do you have actual feelings for him?”
I slowly shake my head, but all I can think is—do I? Everything feels different after this weekend. But maybe I’m just mistaking feelings for physical attraction and chemistry. Lust. There’s definitely plenty of that between me and Barrett. But in the Hamptons, it felt like more.
“Good.” Jules takes another bite of the cookie, then pushes the rest toward me. “I don’t want you to get hurt. And while I have no doubt he enjoyed giving you an orgasm, Barrett seems like the kind of guy that can easily walk away when he’s done getting what he wants.”
I consider her words while I swallow a bite of sandwich.
Jules is right.
Barrett and I are fake dating so he can get close to Fred. We have an expiration date and I can’t let an orgasm, no matter how mind blowing it was, let me forget it.
I glance at the screen of Barrett’s phone, my mouth hanging open in disbelief.
“How is that possible?”
“I must be a superior WordIt player.” He grins.
“You didn’t even know what WordIt was,” I say, exasperated at the outcome of the game. “I told you about WordIt. You can’t beat me at the game I told you about.” I sigh. “Again.”
Fresh out of the shower, I’m wearing a t-shirt and sleep shorts, my wet hair is pulled up into a knot on top on my head. I met Barrett at the racquet club after work. My nails the perfect excuse to not play tennis, I had planned to listen to my audio book in a cozy nook of the club’s lounge, but after being entranced watching a sweaty Barrett play his Wednesday evening match, my priorities changed. I’m not even sure how that is possible, but it is. Hearing Barrett grunt with effort to return a serve had to be the hottest thing I’ve ever heard. I had no idea tennis was so erotic.
Thinking about it makes my eye twitch. I rub my eye and end up scratching my eyelid.