Page 86 of David

“Have you been real friends with a man?”

I have to think about it for a second.

“No, but we could give it a try, considering the circumstances,” I say.

He mulls over my proposal.

“No matter what we are to each other, people will believe what they want to believe,” he says.

“Does it matter?”

“Yes. Yes, it does.”

“Why?”

“Because they’ll give you a hard time,” he says.

“Because of your reputation?”

He nods.

“And the fact that you’ll go out with other women?” I continue.

He searches my eyes before answering softly.

“Yes.”

“So you’ll see other women?”

“Will I be seeing you?”

“No.”

“Then, yes. I’ll go out with other women.”

“We can’t see each other. We both agreed it wouldn’t do us any good.”

“Correct.”

“Then we can’t be friends either,” I say.

“That too.”

A soft chuckle rolls off my lips, unable to hide my disappointment.

“I’ll miss you,” I say humorously.

And seriously and sincerely at the same time.

“I’ll miss you too,” he murmurs.

Shifting slightly, he slides his hand up my body.

“Good night,” he says, leaning toward me as if ready to kiss me good night.

My hand already hovers over the coffee table before sliding my drink down.

I push up while he moves even closer, and my arms go around him. My robe falls open, and cold air rolls over my chest.

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