Page 16 of Unofficial

Lena scoffs. "You're telling me you don't miss the sex? That you haven't been thinking about how much you wish you could have it? Because I do after every single breakup."

"Well, yes, but sex isn't just sex to me."

"Find a way to make it just that until your heart heals, hunny. It's so much easier, I swear."

"Like you're doing with Joe?"

She giggles. "Okay, sex with him is more than just orgasms. Amazing orgasms. But the three others before him were nothing more than a means to an end."

Three? She's on her fourth man since Kade? Jesus. "Let me know where I'm going tomorrow."

"If you want to send me your address, I can pass it along-"

"Oh, no, I want to meet somewhere. If he's crazy, or things don't work out, I don't need him knowing where I live."

"I'm a little crazy. Are you also worried about me?"

"Now that you mention it, yes, a little."

Chapter Seven

Jess stands outside the steakhouse and lets out a deep breath. What the hell is she doing? She's not even sure she's ready to date after about a month, but she also knows she needs to put herself out there soon if she has any chance of getting over Kade and starting the family she wants on the timeline she has.

The only bright sides to this evening’s festivities are that she drove herself, this Landry guy doesn't know where she lives, and if it's terrible, she can leave. After Kade took her by surprise that night by following her home, she needs to regain control. Even a little bit.

The black dress she wears fits a little better than it used to. One of the few perks of going through a breakup is the fact she lost a few pounds. Not drinking beer multiple nights a week cuts back on quite a few calories, and it's an upside she hadn't expected.

She takes one last breath before straightening her shoulders and walking into the restaurant. If someone would have told her she'd be going on a double date with the woman she caught her ex having sex with on his kitchen counter, she'd say they were nuts. Truth of the matter is, Jess feels almost certifiably insane about this whole situation, so it’s actually fitting.

"Jess!" Lena squeals and jumps up from the table.

Her bright pink dress hugs her curves in a way that even makes Jess appreciate her body. The way she bounces as she runs over surprises Jess. The woman seems to have clung onto her as a newfound friend after their shared experience, and even though she should recoil and stay away, she's oddly drawn to Lena. Her act of solidarity that night won her over in the craziest of events.

"I'm so glad you're here," Lena says and hugs Jess. "I was worried you might've changed your mind."

"Oh, I totally did, but I said I'd be here. I'm a woman of my word, if nothing else."

"You're going to love him," she whispers and guides her to the table.

Two handsome men sit before them, and she can immediately tell which one belongs to Lena. Joe's eyes never leave her, and she can see the unmistakable look of affection. The same look Jess swore Kade had when he looked at her, too.

"Jess, this is my boyfriend, Joe," Lena says.

Jess shakes hands with the man and nods her head while the other man stands and pulls out her chair to help her sit. "Hi, Joe. And thank you."

"And the handsome gentleman who pulled out your chair is Landry Knight."

Jess takes in the man who stands over six feet tall and has about half a foot advantage on her. He's a couple of inches shorter than Kade, but sometimes he seemed too tall. Landry also comes across as the silent but sturdy type, and his blond hair and green eyes fit his strong jaw with light stubble.

"Hello, Jess," Landry says with a voice so deep she swears she feels the vibration from it.

"Hi, Landry. It's nice to meet you."

The server stops by the table with a wide grin. "Welcome, everyone. My name is Mica, and I'll be your server today. Can I start everyone off with something to drink?"

"I'll take a beer," Landry says, jumping ahead of everyone in a way that comes across assertive but also arrogant. "Tap. Nothing light and no IPA. Anything else is fine."

"I'll take a sparkling wine," Lena says with a wide smile.

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