“I don’t think she’s his girlfriend. I actually don’t really know what they are or were,” I tell her, clutching the stem of my martini glass.
Avery rests her chin in her hands. “Obviously, he’s still that same asshole from college.”
“How do you two even know each other anyway?” Piper asks.
“It’s a long story, but she confronted me about having a thing with Mason.”
Lina’s eyes grow wide.
Avery’s mouth drops.
And Piper bites her lip, shifting her gaze in the opposite direction. I think she had suspicions that Mason and I slept together that night in Burbank. What she’s not aware of is everything that has happened since then.
Avery is the first one to speak. “Why would she think that? Tell me there is not something going on with you andMason?”
Silence.
“Um, yes—and no.” I start nervously biting my bottom lip, contemplating how much to tell my three best friends. I take a quick drink of my Cosmo, lick my lips, and let the words leave my mouth slowly. “Okay, don’t be mad at me for not telling you guys, but Mason and I slept together a few months ago.”
“Shut up—wait, why do you keep looking at Piper?” Lina turns to Piper “You knew? And you didn’t tell us?”
Piper waves them off with a quick flick of her hand. “I suspected it for a while, but I didn’t think it was a big deal since I thought it only happened one time.”
I stick my finger in the air. “That’s the other thing—” I interject.
Three sets of eyes blaze into me from all directions as I prepare myself to tell my three best friends that I’ve been sleeping with a man that I’ve despised for years, that I agreed todo this with no strings attached, and who I may be developing feelings for.
It’s something that best friends try to keep each other from getting caught up in—allowing a man to have full access to you without the expectation of a relationship. Which I am currently doing and utterly enjoying. I’m compromising my dignity to be the fuck buddy of my brother’s hot best friend who refuses to commit to anyone. Every scenario ends badly.
“We have this little arrangement where we can sleep together without actually dating each other.” I scrunch my nose and raise my lip, nervously waiting for someone to respond. “Like with no expectations.”
Silence.
A smile flashes on Piper’s face. “Yes, girl! He is hot and you get to have sex with him whenever you want?”
My cheeks flush. Of course, Piper is the encouraging one. “Yes, and he is fucking amazing.”
“So, you’re still technically still sleeping with him, right? That was a couple of months ago, so you guys must have hooked up a lot since then?” Lina asks.
I can’t help the grin that takes over my face, making the muscles sore from their pull. “I don’t know.” I pause because my eyes begin to water with emotion . . . or maybe excitement? I’m not sure. “Let’s just say it’s been often.”
“Wait! So, we’re all going to be okay with this? He’s going to hurt Bailey. This is not a good situation,” Avery argues.
Lina puts down her martini glass and chimes in. “I sort of agree with Avery, Bailey. You’ve got to be careful. What about Luca? Or what if you develop feelings for him? You haven’t already, right?”
A lump forms in my throat. “Look, I appreciate you guys being protective and worrying about me, but I have this under control.” Lina is right because things have already becomecomplicated. “And Luca is fine. This arrangement we have allows us to do what we want to do without me getting him involved. Luca only knows Mason as his Uncle Harry’s best friend, who he happens to work with as well.” I try my best to explain to them.
Suddenly, Avery’s face turns white. “Oh, my god, does your brother know?”
“No, and he is not going to ever find out, you three. He will lose his shit,” I say.
“Do you remember how protective he was over you in college?” Avery reminds me.
I fold my napkin onto my lap and lean forward. “Yes, I remember that very clearly.”
Our appetizers arrive, and we all sit in silence for a few minutes, nibbling on avocado egg rolls and dinner salads. I understand their concerns. I do, more than they think, especially because what they’re warning me against is already happening.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Travis walk up to our table. “Hi, Bailey, ladies. How are the appetizers so far?”
