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“Ah—um…” Abby pauses and shakes her head. “Kevin insisted that if the guy had to move here, then he’d need a strong incentive to come.”
I manage to suck in a deep breath and blow it out. “Husband.” At the thought of having a man in my apartment every day, my skin prickles as if I’ve suddenly developed a rash. I bite my thumbnail. “Like, another cereal bowl in my sink every morning and less closet space and…”
Dread settles in my stomach like a lead ball, making me gulp. “Oh god,” I wail, lowering my head into my hands. “Why did I push that button?”
Val looks at Abby. “Charlie didn’t sign anything. That can’t be legal.”
Hope blossoms in me, and I glance up.
Abby gazes at her lap. “I had to test all the features, so I signed the paperwork for Charlie,” she says in a small voice.
“What?” I ask.
Abby’s eyes flash. “I didn’t think you’d ask to meet the guy!” she snarls.
“I should sue you.” My voice is getting louder. “And Kevin Black for such a stupid rule. Not telling me is—is fraud!”
“You can’t sue her for fraud, Charlie.” Val shakes her head. “Abby would go to jail.”
“Maybe she should.” I fight back the tears that threaten to fall. My perfect single life, about to be invaded by a stranger. A sexy one, though…
My god! What is the matter with me? I’ve got to get control of myself and figure out how I’m going to deal with this.
I shouldn’t be surprised that I’ve ended up in hot water for my impulsive behavior. It’s like the time I thought being a dominatrix might be fun. While I definitely loved the boots, I did not love what men wanted me to do to them. More than once, I’d seen a past client on the streets of Boston with a look in his eyes that made my blood run cold.
Once again, I’ve made a mess for myself, and it’s time to take responsibility for my actions.
“It’s not Abby’s fault. I shouldn’t have pushed the button.” I clutch my elbows, the bone hard under my fingers as I hug myself. The sensation of a man’s arms wrapping around me comes back, much the same way I felt it when I was compelled to initiate meeting him.
I think I might be losing my mind.
I bite at another fingernail, and Abby grabs my hand. “Are you okay?” she asks.
Her phone is on the table, and I look at the face of Boyfriend Twenty-One on the screen. Something about his eyes sends a delicious shiver down my spine, and I blink. Maybe this is what happens when you go too long without sex.
I smile to myself at the absurdity of my thoughts then shake off that dreamlike state to deal with reality. “I’m fine.”
“If this is in beta testing, surely Charlie won’t have to marry him when the match doesn’t work,” Val says. “I’m betting some other girls on the Point will think he’s wonderful.”
Abby nods. “That might work. I don’t think Howling Point can afford paying to relocate the guy back home. But maybe we can find him another match.”
My phone buzzes with a text, startling me. I pull it out of my purse only to see a notification reading Boyfriend Twenty-One is a horrible name, from a strange number.
I gasp, and the phone clatters on the coffee table when I drop it like a hot potato.
Val grabs the cell and reads it quickly before glancing up at me. “That was fast.”
Abby leans over Val to read the text. “I suggest you answer him.”
“I… I…” The cell is slick in my hand when I grab it from Val. Heat rises to my face. It’s like I’m a teenager getting a message from her first crush, and I’m not sure why.
Banter is easy for me, so I should have a quick reply at the ready. But I don’t, because something tells me what I’ll say to this guy matters. “I need a minute.” I get up and make my way outside.
Taking a deep breath of the damp, salty air helps to clear my mind. The low rumble of a fishing boat makes me glance out at the ocean, where the rain has stopped and is about to make way for sunshine. I look at the screen of my phone and notice my hand is shaking. C’mon, Charlie. You can do this.
Air rushes out of my lungs in a whoosh before I dive in and respond. Twenty-One is super-sexy. In fact, it’s rated the hottest number name in the world.
He replies quickly. Then I like it.
