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A sinking feeling knots in my stomach, and I think fast, throwing the door all the way open. “Actually, we were going to order something in a little while. Would you like to join us?” I wave to the rest of my friends in the room.
“Hey, Lawson!” Jenny chirps. “You should join us.”
Lawson’s grin returns. “I’d love to,” he says without reservation, looking directly at me.
“Come on in.” I gently shove Enrique to the side so Lawson can enter.
I introduce everyone and almost leap with joy when Jonas flashes Lawson a welcoming smile.
“How’s your hand?” I ask, noticing he’s still wearing a small bandage.
“Knuckle’s fractured, but it’ll heal.”
“Knuckles are one of the strongest bones we have and are very resilient. But you should still ice it at night to help with swelling and irritation.” Jenny transitions into doctor mode.
“Don’t get her started, man. She can talk about bones for hours.” Jonas shoots Lawson a warning. “She’s spent the last few years studying the most important bone of all.”
“How many times do I have to explain that the penis isn’t a bone? You, of all people, should know it’s a mass of blood vessels and tissue. Using the word ‘bone’ to describe it is a term made up by ignorant—”
“Stop right there. We will not have this discussion again.” I throw my hand in the air and glance at Lawson. “Jenny works in a science lab and has been testing a new condom,” I explain as briefly as possible, intentionally leaving out the fact that she’s a doctor.
“That sounds interesting.” His lips twitch slightly as he fights a smile.
“These condoms are going to change the world. I have a few in my purse if you’d like them,” she announces nonchalantly.
“Jenny!” I shout, my face heating at her boldness. Bessie giggles, slapping her hand over her mouth when I scowl at her.
“What? Jonas and Enrique love when I give them samples. You know how I feel about safe sex. Lawson, do you believe in safe sex?”
My cheeks now burn with embarrassment, and I glare at her to shut down this ridiculous conversation.
“Yes, I’m a firm believer in safe sex,” he answers casually, turning his face to mine.
“Who wants a drink?” I attempt to stop anymore talk of sex and condoms.
All hands raise into the air, and I shoot Jenny another cautionary glance before going into the kitchen. I’m thankful for the privacy as I brace on the counter, trying to recover from the last few minutes. Leave it to my friends to turn a fractured bone into an inappropriate topic for a practical stranger.
“Tell me about this guy.” Enrique joins me, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything. How’d you meet? What do you know about him? Why does he feel comfortable knocking on your door after seven on a Wednesday night?”
“Why wouldn’t he feel comfortable knocking on my door? We’re neighbors.”
“Since when?”
“Last Friday.”
“Seems a little quick to be this comfortable. I want the full story.”
Enrique is the most hot-blooded and temperamental of our group. His overprotective instincts hold no bounds when it comes to us girls. I’ve witnessed this behavior with Jenny and Bessie, but never had to explain myself.
Irritation spikes in my blood, but the last thing I want to do is start an argument with Lawson only a wall away. Briefly, I graze over the details of meeting Lawson and showing him around the neighborhood on Sunday. When I’m done, the air in the room turns icy. Enrique’s eyes are barely slits, his lips pursed in a thin line.
“Are you fucking crazy? Walking out of the safety of your apartment to help a stranger move a bed? Haven’t you ever seen Silence of the Lambs? What kind of dickhead decides to move on a Friday night and can’t even get his furniture inside? Then, he let a woman help him?” His voice grows louder with every word.
The irritation from earlier turns to anger, and I narrow my eyes, daring him to go on. “What the hell is your problem?”
