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She hadn’t expected Chris to look as though she’d kicked his kitten.
Kelly felt a little bad for messing with him, but she was hurting too. She’d washed her sheets on Sunday, wanting to destroy the evidence of their night together, but the pillow he’d slept on still smelled like his shampoo. She’s spent the week cuddling with it, inhaling it whenever she got the urge to call him. Marley and Rylie had made it very clear she couldn’t make first contact.
And Hank, well, Hank had been surprisingly cool. When he’d come by on Tuesday for their morning meeting, he’d apologized again for missing their dinner date, and asked when they could reschedule. She’d told him she enjoyed his company, but she couldn’t. Something had happened, and she was no longer available. He’d been curious, so she’d explained the situation. When she’d told him about Marley’s plan to make Chris jealous, he’d been more than happy to play along.
She was worried though that she might have pushed Chris too far. What if he wrote her off? Thought she was hooking up with Hank and had completely forgotten about what happened between the two of them?
The front door opened, and Luke Jessup stepped inside. Butters bounded to his feet, his big ears twitching with excitement before he raced down the wood ramp Marley had attached to the couch and skidded to a halt at his daddy’s feet.
Luke picked the rabbit up and held him against his chest. “Are you causing trouble, bud?” He swept the room with his dark eyes, his large, imposing shoulders slumping when his gaze fell on Marley.
“I feel dirty,” he said.
Marley jumped up and threw her arms around his neck from the right side so as not to squish the rabbit, kissing him passionately. When she pulled away, she smiled up at him as though he was the greatest man in the world.
“Baby, I am so glad you’re home.” She slapped him on his rear. “Now give us the dirt.”
“Don’t objectify me,” he said, his lips twitching. “Do I need to tell you again that I am morally against this?”
Marley held up three fingers. “Three words. New Victoria’s Secret.”
He sighed. “He ignored the hot bartender who was trying to flirt with him, said he is swearing off women, and talked about a woman he really liked but blew it with.” Luke looked right at Kelly. “Pretty sure he meant you.”
Marley did a little victory dance. “Yes! You are the best.”
Luke made a face as he set Butters down on the ground. “I am going to bed.”
“I love you,” Marley called.
He paused just outside their room with Butters close on his heels and gave her a heated stare. Kelly was sure that Marley’s clothes were about to incinerate into a heap.
“Prove it,” Luke said. “Say good-bye to your friends and come to bed.”
He disappeared out of sight with his bunny sidekick and the click of a closing door was the only sound in the quiet living room. Rylie was looking up at the ceiling like she couldn’t make eye contact and Marley grinned at Kelly, her cheeks bright red.
“So…”
“No worries, we’re gone.” Rylie stood up. “My place next week?”
“Sure. How about we do a thriller? I might even try to finish the book this time.”
Rylie gave Marley a hug, rolling her eyes at Kelly. “Sure, you will.”
Kelly guzzled the rest of her wine and stood up, giving Marley a hug. “Thanks for everything.”
“My pleasure. Chicks before dicks.”
“You’re terrible,” Kelly laughed.
“I’m hilarious.”
They said goodnight and stepped outside together, while Marley closed the door behind them. The June sky was crystal clear, showing off the light purple hue that bled into black. The stars twinkled overheard as though winking at them. The moon was bright, very nearly full, and Kelly had no trouble seeing the ground as she made her way toward her car.
Rylie pulled out her phone. “I should text Dustin and see where he is.”
“Yeah, and make sure Chris got home okay.” She hated that she cared so much, especially since things were so screwed up.
Rylie leveled her with a pensive look in the moonlight. “You know, I think Marley’s wrong about this plan. I mean, at first, I thought it was okay to let him know what he was missing, but if you really care about Chris, I don’t think you should play games.”
