"I’m so sorry." I attempt to apologize, but the words lodge in my throat.
"No, stop. I’m just glad to see you doing so well."
"You have to understand. I was a mess back then. I’m not…" I trail off before claiming not to be that woman anymore. I honestly don’t know if I am or not.
"I know you’re not that person anymore," she finishes for me. "It’s been my experience that fuck-hot men like that one don’t do crazy."
My anxiety immediately begins to subside as she mentions Leo. "Leo’s really good at crazy actually." I grin awkwardly.
"Jesse’s been keeping me filled in on your progress over the years."
"Jesse should really learn how to hate me," I respond matter-of-factly.
"Nah. She has this huge heart. She really wants to see you happy. However, if you need her to hate you, just hit on Brett. She’d go nutso on someone over him." She lifts her hands like cat claws and hisses. "She told me you had a new stud. And I have to say she was really freaking right."
"Jesse did not say stud," Emma interjects, causing Kara to laugh.
It’s infectious. I glance down at my feet to try to hide my smile.
"Nah. She said something completely appropriate like ‘attractive.’ I translated it to what she really meant though. I’m a good friend like that. Now, Sarah, tell me where you met that fine piece of meat out there. If Hunter doesn’t get his shit straight, I might be in the market soon. Is there an auction where you can go purchase men like that? Because I have to say I wasn’t sure you’d be able to top Brett, but damn, woman. I think you might have pulled it off," she rushes out and ends with a huge grin.
"Leo is pretty amazing," I answer dreamily.
"Soooo…" Kara drags out exaggeratedly.
"Oh God. Here we go." Emma laughs, sitting down on the bed cross-legged next to Kara.
I look at her warily before glancing back to Kara, who is beaming with excitement.
"I need the vegetable report," she announces shamelessly. "I know we just met and all, but I can already tell we’re going to be good friends. So spill it."
"I can honestly say I have no idea what you are talking about, and judging by your excitement, I’m slightly frightened to know what it is."
"You should be. But I’m with Kara. I’d like to know what Leo’s hiding behind those designer jeans too." Emma laughs and Kara gives her a high five.
"Wait. Are we talking about his dick?" I ask as it dawns on me.
"No. We are talking vegetables. But yes, I want you to compare his junk to what vegetable it resembles."
"Are we middle schoolers?" I ask, glancing between the two of them. Their eyes are wide with anticipation.
"No, and please tell me he isn’t hung like one either. That would be such a waste," Kara says seriously.
I have to admit that this is a funny conversation—ridiculous, but still humorous. However, I’m not quite sure I want to be sharing this with a woman I barely even know. Emma and Casey, sure. Women talk; that’s not exactly a secret. But to just come right out and ask the first time you meet someone is freaking weird.
"What’s Hunter?" I turn the tables on her.
"Well, Emma originally told me eggplant. But upon further inspection for the last few years, I’d have to go with one of those huge parsnips."
My jaw drops open at her honesty and also just a little because Hunter’s hot. It’s not right for him to be packing something that big.
"And Caleb’s a—"
"No!" I shout, throwing my hands over my ears. "I’ve known that man for way too long to want to hear what he’s using to give the business to my sister every night."
We all bust out laughing.
"Okay, fine. Let me think." I tap my chin while mentally inventorying the produce department. "I guess I’d have to say one of those long plantains. It’s not exactly a vegetable, but it’s very fitting since Leo speaks Spanish. "
"No way," Kara breathes.
"Really?" Emma asks, standing up on the bed.
"Wait, is it like the really skinny ones at least?" Kara asks for clarification.
"Nope." I laugh.
"Damn," Kara groans.
Emma waggles her eyebrows in my direction. "Impressive."
I shrug and smile. They don’t have to tell me.
"Okay, are we done now, Kara? Did you get all the information required for your report?" Emma asks, but Kara just stares into space with a glazed-over look in her eyes. "Kara!" Emma snaps her fingers in front of her.
"Oh, yeah. Let’s go eat. You got a veggie tray, right?" She makes a show of licking her lips, causing us all to howl with laughter.
We exit the room, still laughing. Caleb and Hunter flash us knowing smiles when we meet up with the guys in the kitchen. Leo gives me a puzzled look when I stop in front of him.
"Everything okay?" he asks, draping an arm around my waist.
"Yeah, it’s great. Oh, but stay away from Kara. She makes us look like the definition of sanity."
"Um. Okay?" he says as more of a question than an answer.
Hunter walks over and pats Leo on the back. "Welcome to the group, my man."