I nod quickly, eyes wide as Joey’s grin gets bigger. “I guess I’ll see you later then?” I ask, moving toward the pastry rack. I know my face is beet red, and I feel like I’ve just been caught masturbating. Shit, I practically was.
He breathes heavily into the phone. “I’m counting on it.” The call ends, allowing me to grab the container of éclairs with both hands after I place the phone down on the worktop.
Turning quickly, I see Joey watching me, arms crossed. “You look all hot and bothered,” he says slyly through his smile.
“I am. And I’m not sure how I feel about it either.”
Pushing past him, I walk to the display case and fill the tray of pastries. He leans against the doorframe. “What does that mean? He wants you, obviously; you want him, again, obviously, so what’s the problem here?”
I close the case. “No problem. This is just sex. Really fucking good sex. So, no problem.” I brush past him and shake my head, silently communicating this conversation is over. Because this is just sex. And even though I’ve always been a relationship kind of girl, I am more than capable of handling hot casual sex. Right?
Joey and I arrived at The Tavern at eight thirty p.m. after I spent over an hour debating what to wear. I’ve settled on my cream summer dress that hugs my curves in the most sinfully way possible. It bunches in the front, accentuating my cleavage, and falls just above my knees. Paired with my matching heels, and feeling my garter cling to my thighs, I feel secretly sexy. My hands shake as we step through the door, Joey leading the way through the packed bar. I have no idea why I’m so nervous. I’ve already had sex with the guy. And now I know for sure he enjoyed it as much as I did and doesn’t regret it. But for some reason, my heart is pounding in my ears and my stomach is clenched tight. Come on, Dylan. You can do this. He wants you and you sure as hell want him.
I follow Joey to the bar where Juls is perched on a stool, messing with her phone. With no members of the Chicago man candy club in sight, I breathe a sigh of relief.
“Finally. Holy hell, Dylan. That dress. Shit, that might actually kill him.” She grins wickedly and runs her eyes down my body.
I twirl quickly as Joey whistles. “You bitches annoy me with your hot little figures,” he grumbles, motioning for the bartender.
“Joey is buying because he’s a shithead who steals phones out of people’s hands,” I say as Juls hops down from her stool.
“Excellent. I love it when Joey is a shithead. White Zinfandel for me, JoJo.”
He glares at her and then at me.
“Don’t you dare look at me like that. Telling Reese I wanted to have his babies. You’re lucky I’m only making you buy us drinks.” I cock my head to the side and stare him down.
“Ha! Oh, my God. You would have the prettiest babies,” Juls squeals.
“I know, right?” he echoes.
I roll my eyes. “You’re both mental.”
Juls grabs my hand and tugs me through the crowd, stopping at an empty tall table. My eyes scan the room as I settle on my stool. I quickly tap my fingers on the table and bite the inside of my cheek.
“You’re nervous,” she states as my eyes meet hers across the table.
“I don’t know, maybe this is a bad idea.”
She arches her brow at me.
“I feel like I’m trying too hard. I mean, I’m wearing a fucking garter under this for Christ’s sake.”
“So am I. High-five, sweets.” I can’t help but giggle at her naughty enthusiasm as I humor her and slap her hand. Of course, Juls is wearing a garter. Between the two of us, I’m sure we’ve accumulated one of every item in Agent Provocateur.
Joey returns moments later with our drinks. “Well, in case Billy is a no show, Ty the bartender is available for my licking.”
I grab my drink and take a sip as Juls snickers. “What is going on with Billy? Have you spoken to him since the wedding?” I ask.
He takes a sip of his beer before answering. “He’s texted me a few times. You know me though, always gotta have one waiting for me in the wings.” He’s being evasive. Joey is never evasive.
“I love how you think that answer is going to satisfy us. And since when are you tight lipped about your hook ups?” I say as Juls nods in agreement.
“Seriously, JoJo, who the hell do you think you’re talking to here? I happen to know from a very well hung, reliable source that you and Billy saw each other last night. And pretty much every night since the wedding.”
“Ian told you that? Christ, he is whipped. Your pussy must be like some fucking nirvana or some shit.”
My mouth drops open as Juls smiles and shrugs playfully. “Oh, is that right? I thought you weren’t sure how you felt about him and his curved penis?”
He looks quickly around the room and takes a sip of his beer. “It’s growing on me.”