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I pass the sliced cheese to her and she starts placing pieces on top of the concoction. Her eyes twinkle when she continues.
“You should have seen the look on Grant’s face when that shit hit. I almost felt sorry for him, but then the bitch was fawning all over him, so I sat back and enjoyed the show. I think he barely made it to the bathroom.”
Our earlier fit of laughter starts again. I really shouldn’t enjoy this, but I just can’t muster up any sympathy.
“Tony and Patrick knew I had something to do with Grant’s immediate departure to the bathroom. It was hard to keep the pleasure off my face as I watched the show. I told them that he cheated on a friend, so I was paying him back. Patrick told me I wasn’t allowed behind his bar anymore, but I could tell he wasn’t too bothered by it.”
I reach over and give her a hug. Every single day
this woman reminds me of how lucky I am to have her. I didn’t realize how much I needed a friend until she came along.
“Although, I shouldn’t be thanking you for causing my ex such…” I wrinkle my nose. “discomfort. I’m still so glad to have you as a friend. You’re the best, Liv.”
I walk over to the oven and open the door for her. She places the pan inside and sets the temperature and timer.
“And don’t you forget it,” she says, shooting me a wink as she leans back against the counter. I don’t like the look in her eyes now. “So, you haven’t mentioned Sterling yet. I’ve been trying to mind my own business, hoping you would bring him up, but obviously that isn’t working. It’s time to spill your guts. Anything new?”
At the mention of his name, tingles start to form in my stomach. I can’t even hear his name without my body reacting. Liv is right, though. I haven’t brought his name up. I’m still not sure if I want to. I’m still trying to come to grips with what happened, how I feel about it, and how fucked up it makes me. Who in their right mind blindfolds themselves and lets a total stranger into their home, knowing that he’ll be touching her? That is not normal. I should be locked up and classified as insane.
As I stand there and watch Liv watching me with expectant eyes, I fight with myself on whether or not I should tell her what happened last night. The whole incident has left me confused, and if I’m honest, ashamed. Ashamed that I allowed myself to become so vulnerable. Maybe having someone else’s opinion will help?
I pull in a deep breath and release it.
“I saw Sterling last night,” I admit, my voice low.
“What?” she practically yells. “Why in the hell didn’t you say something when you first walked in? What does he look like? Is he hot? What did y’all do? How did this come about?”
I cringe with her loud questions. I swear I need earplugs around this woman. She’s got the lungs of a banshee and is not prejudice against using them when she feels the need. I love her to pieces, but she really needs a muzzle sometimes.
“Well, I didn’t technically see him. I was blindfolded.”
I brace myself for another shriek, but it doesn’t come. Instead, her brows dip low in confusion. “Say what?”
“You heard me. I was blindfolded.” She opens her mouth to question me further, but I beat her to the punch. “He sent me some lingerie and a scarf to wear over my eyes.”
Her eyes grow wide, but I see interest there, and maybe something more. Envy, maybe?
“I wanna be you,” she breathes, making me laugh.
“I’m sure you can talk Tony into blindfolding you,” I tell her, giggling.
She shakes her head, coming out of her daze, and asks with a note of disappointment in her voice, “So, you didn’t get to see him at all?”
“Nope.” I ask the question that’s been bugging me since last night and hope she can help me shed some light on the situation. “Do you think I’m totally insane for letting him in my house?”
Instead of answering, she says, “Come on. This is going to require some wine.” She grabs my hand and tugs me back to the dining room.
We both take a seat and she refills our glasses to the top. I gulp mine halfway down.
“Okay. First off, how did he get in your house?”
I look away from her, embarrassed. I don’t know the answer. I didn’t even ask him last night how he got in. I was so absorbed in the fact that he was there and the anticipation of what was going to happen, it didn’t even cross my mind. The man leaves me completely incapable of thinking straight.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “You know I always lock my doors. I would assume he had to pick his way in?” I pose it as a question, hoping she can come up with another alternative.
“Hmm… probably.” She thinks for a second, tapping her chin, before continuing. “Did you guys have sex?”
I look down at my hands in my lap, feeling a slight blush form on my face. “No.”
