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“I always kind of regretted not going to a party there when I was young and hot.”
“You’re still young and hot.”
“Younger and hotter. And looser with my morals.” She shot me a mischievous little smile. “I would have loved to have bounced up and down on a few of those men. My advice to you—while you’re still young and hot—do all the bouncing on all the hot guys you want.”
“I don’t think I should be getting involved with anyone right now.”
“Involved? Who said involved? We’re talking about bouncing, not vows. I think so long as both parties know it is just fun—and everything is safe—there is nothing to regret. No one even has to know. It can just be your own little secret. It might give you the little boost you need to get through these god-awful divorce proceedings.”
With that, Jill stood.
“Anytime you want to stop by for a manicure and a chat, just let me know. My sister and I are here for you.”
She made her way back into her room, and I went up the steps to my own.
I closed the door and looked at the banner hung on the bathroom door. The one he’d made. He wanted me to take it because of the aforementioned possible defacement at the hands of his club brothers.
He hadn’t put all the cutesy little acorns, leaves, and animals like I had on my banner that hung on the main room door.
He’d used his—and some of my—felt letters instead. To make a cute little message.
FREE-FALL-IN.
I stared at it for a minute, the music and lyrics playing in my head.
Begging me to do it.
To say ‘fuck it.’
To stop thinking.
To stop weighing the risk.
To take a deep breath, walk to the edge, and jump.
To free fall into the unknown.
I could do it.
Get into something cute but casual.
Get in my car.
Drive to the clubhouse.
Ask for Cain.
Free fall.
But a movement outside my window had my stomach clenching and my heart wedging itself into my throat.
Turning, I saw a shadow there.
A shadow half-obscured by the abundance of cheap, cheesy Halloween window clings and the slats of the blinds.
But the shape was unmistakable.
It was a man.
