Page 43 of Firecracker

Arden and Emma both watched him then turned to each other.

“What is going on here?” Emma demanded.

Arden gulped her wine. “Nothing.”

“I don’t think so! You were at his place—naked! Are you two…?”

“No! My bathroom is being renovated.” She waved a hand toward it. “It’s pretty much gutted right now. So Tyler’s letting me use his bathroom to shower. Since it’s right across the hall.”

“I can’t believe that’s Tyler Ramirez.”

“I know, right? I didn’t recognize him the first time I saw him.” When she’d been naked. She shook her head.

“He’s all grown up, and wow!”

Arden didn’t want to get into a lengthy discussion about Tyler’s hotness, because she was trying not to notice that. “He’s a firefighter.”

“Oh God, that’s even hotter.” Emma sighed. “How’s Jamie?”

“Good.” Arden moved to her stove and turned it on, then opened the fridge to take out some of the food she prepared earlier. She set out a bowl of mixed olives, another of cubed feta cheese marinated with herbs, and some sliced Italian salami.

“Yum.” Emma popped an olive into her mouth.

“Jamie’s business is going well, apparently.” Arden set slices of bread onto a baking sheet to toast them. “He’s been buying properties like this one and renovating them. Lucky for me, since I have no money to pay rent.”

“Oh.” Emma’s eyes shadowed. “I can’t believe what happened, Arden.”

“I know. Me either.” She gave her friend a wry smile. “But it happened, and I’m dealing with it. I have a job!”

She told Emma about Shenanigans while she finished making bruschetta, and they nibbled and drank wine. They fell right away into easy conversation, moving the food to the coffee table in the living room so they could curl up on the couch with their glasses of wine.

It was so easy being with Emma. It was like they’d never been apart.

“I have to admit, I’m a little disappointed there’s nothing going on between you and Tyler,” Emma said much later.

“What? Why?”

“Because he’s gorgeous. And you deserve some hot, sweaty sex with a gorgeous man.”

Arden laughed.

“Seriously. You need to get back out there. I’d fix you up with someone, except I’m not that good at it since I can’t even find a guy for myself.”

“I’m sure you could.” Emma was beautiful, wicked smart, and fun to be around.

“I don’t have much time for dating.” Emma sighed. “I work such long hours, I don’t have time for anything.”

“That’s not good for you.”

“I know, but that’s the nature of the business. Up early to check the London market, then New York, then when the markets close at four, it’s time for meetings to review portfolio holdings and talk about ideas for potential opportunities the next day.” She smiled. “I love it.”

A female voice spoke from the door. “Hey, Arden, are you…oh.”

Arden and Emma turned to see Mila at the door. “Hi, Mila.” Arden smiled and gestured. “Come in.”

Mila entered. “Sorry to interrupt. The guys are all into some video game, so I came up to see if you were busy. I see you are.”

“This is my friend Emma. Emma, this is Mila. She lives downstairs and works with Jamie.”

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