“Are you…” Palmer trails off, lost for words. “So you like him?”
I sip my coffee, smiling to myself as I enjoy the last few seconds where my secret is still in the bag. “I had sex with him.”
“What?!” Palmer squalls. “Stop it! Why didn’t you call me?”
I have to remove the phone from my ear she’s shrieking so loud.
“I did…” I unsubtly clear my throat into the phone.
“Well, if you had led with that, I might’ve called you back sooner.”
Wow. Her lack of filter from her brain to her mouth…I swear. “Good to know you only want to talk when I’m entertaining.”
“Aves,” she groans, “come on. I mean, I would’ve called to make sure you are okay. I know you don’t take sex lightly. I can’t believe you rebounded with a guy like that. I mean, hell, he’s so fine. If I was there. I sure as hell would’ve taken my shot.”
My annoyance immediately bubbles back up. Back off. Back the fuck off. Uh-oh. Jealousy is not good. Jealousy is the enemy of casual sex. Finn is my teacher. My coach. My friend. He’s a whole lot of things that I shouldn’t be acting jealous over.
I overcompensate my casual reply, trying to calm my jittery heart. “Funny. I don’t think we’ve ever shared a guy. First time for everything, I suppose.”
“Oh, stop. I wouldn’t… Um, so how are you? How do you feel? Does Mason know?”
“Why would Mason know?” I set my coffee mug down on a coaster and tuck my knees to my chest before pulling the throw up to my chin. Why is it so cold in here? I remind myself to check the thermometers in the tanks. Dex’s air conditioning is always running now that the Vegas summer heat is picking up. I wonder if Cherry feels like she’s swimming in the artic. She seems a little slower lately.
“I don’t know, if I were you, I’d call him and shove your new boy toy right down his throat. It sends a clear message.”
“What message?”
“That you guys are over. Done. No going back. You’ve moved on.”
Palmer missed the whole Rumble chat fiasco, so there’s no need to defend how Mason didn’t cheat on me after all. But again, the more Palmer tells me what I have to do with my love life, the more I want to do the opposite—just to prove a point. Talk about regressing. There’s obviously still a rebellious teenager that lives inside me.
“Finn and I are friends. That’s it. There’s nothing to shove down Mason’s throat. I’m spending the summer trying to figure out how to love myself. Once I figure that out, I can decide how I feel about this breakup. I’ve seen couples come through worse, you know? I’ve also seen couples walk away for less. I don’t know what to think. The bottom line is Mason said he was unhappy and we broke up. He didn’t hit me, cheat on me, or lie to me… he was just unhappy. Should I hate him for telling the truth? Plus, he told me he may have just needed space. Maybe I needed space too. What if this is what we needed to wake ourselves up?”
“He said that? He actually said he wants to get back together?” She literally sounds disgusted. What the hell is this hypocrisy? Palmer’s had endless boyfriends who have cheated on her. Her relationships are usually short-lived, but she’s run back to them before. She only saves this fuck him, he doesn’t deserve you energy for me, apparently. Or maybe she wants Mason out of the way. I’m not sure.
“He said maybe this is a break. You know, my parents took a break for a while and got back together.”
“Right…shortly before their divorce. Remember how hard you took it? Do you honestly want to do that to your kids too?”
Jesus, Palmer. Her sharp mouth. “Regardless of how things pan out, Mason and I still have a business to run. We have a huge contract at stake. A career-making contract that we have to secure, together. Right now, I need support. Not demands.”
“I agree. When it comes to business, he should be supportive—”
“No. Palmer, from you. I need support from you. Don’t tell me what to do. Just listen.”
How long am I going to have to coach her on how to be a good friend? It’s been two decades. Don’t you know me by now? Can’t you understand what I need?
She mumbles something under her breath before she says, “Okay, fine. I support you. I’m listening.”
“Thank you.” The heavy silence settles between us, and as much as I want to dish about Finn and how he’s turning my world upside down, instead, I decide to keep my treasured secrets to myself this time. “I’m going to get my day started, but good luck on set. Break a leg.”
“Thanks. Oh, and, Aves?”
“Yeah?”
“I know I say the wrong thing sometimes, but you know that I, um…you’re my best friend…the only person who ever believed in me and stood by me and uh…I’m just sorry that I’m the weak link in this friendship. I really do love you in my way. I wish I were better…more like you.”
“Palmer,” I say amidst a heavy sigh.
“No, no, just let me own it. I know how I can be. Sometimes I don’t think I deserve you.”
“Doesn’t matter, best friend. You have me. I love you too.”
“Good.” She breathes out in relief. “Go have fun with your boy toy. I hope you went to the store and bought yourself something other than granny panties.”
She can’t see my glower, but she can sure as hell hear my sass. “How can I? You still have my car.”
“Shit.”
I chuckle as I hang up the phone. Hot mess Palmer. Yeah, she’s rough around the edges, but she’s my oldest friend. I know where each of those edges comes from.
I know her heart. And it’s a good heart.
A soft pounding coming from Dex’s front door pulls me from my nap. Who could that be? I check my phone lying on the coffee table in front of me in case Finn texted to tell me he was stopping by. There are no notifications. Just the time on the screen telling me I’ve been napping for one hour and it’s past three in the afternoon.
It’s been a few days since Finn and I have hung out and I’ll admit…I’ve been avoiding seeing him in person.
Because I’m sore.
It’s a good sore. Simply evidence of his massive proportions, but I don’t think I could’ve slept with him again without cringing, and the last thing I want to do is make him feel guilty and scare him off, so for the past few days, I’ve been pretending I’m buried in work. I’m not. Mason still hasn’t gotten back to me with the reports. I texted him yesterday and all he said was he was traveling and would check in when he gets back. This is why I handle the clients. Too bad the marketing director at Legacy Resorts who holds the key to the next level in my career apparently can’t handle a woman who’s smarter than he is. Ridiculous.
I make my way to the door, wishing I’d downloaded the security system app like Dex instructed me to. Had I done so, I could see who was at the door, tap a button, and politely tell them to please go away without leaving my spot on Dex’s comfy living room couch.
Opening the door, I see a stranger I certainly wasn’t expecting. She has striking features. Her angled features and high cheekbones are entrancing. Her straight-cut bangs, jet-black hair, and dark and heavy eye makeup are a stark contrast to the light jean shorts and flowy, floral top she’s wearing. It’s such a unique look, composed of contradictions. Is everyone in Las Vegas interesting and beautiful?