Page 77 of Firecracker

“See, I was just talking to Tyler about that,” Arden said.

“After the third or fourth orgasm?” Emma made a face.

“Ha. I mean, I feel the same…this wasn’t supposed to be how my life is. I’m a widow at twenty-eight, broke, I’d be homeless if it weren’t for my brother—or living with my parents, God forbid. When are we ever going to get there?”

“When is my vagina ever going to get some action?” Emma asked.

“You work too much. That’s your problem.”

Emma shrugged. “I love my job.”

Arden sighed. “See,thatI’m envious of.”

“You’ll find what you love.”

“Well. You know what I’m happy about?” Arden looked around. “I’m happy I have you. Oh, damn.”

“What?” They both spoke at once, frowning.

“I might cry. Sorry. This was so hard, coming here with nothing, my entire life in shreds. And you both have made it so easier.”

“Aw.” Emma smiled. “Of course, hon. I’m always here for you.”

“Me too.” Mila dropped her spoon into her empty bowl. “I’m so glad Jamie’s sister turned out to be a kindred spirit.”

Arden’s heart quivered.

“Also, I’m glad you can cook,” Mila added. “It’s been awesome.”

The air in the room lightened and Arden choked on a laugh.

“And, let’s not forget what else is here for you.”

“What?”

“Tyler’s magnificent wang.”

Chapter Sixteen

“Iknow right away when I’m attracted to a woman.” Jamie shrugged. “It’s there or it’s not.”

Tyler nodded. “Yeah. I agree.” He leaned back on the couch at Shenanigans, half his attention on the conversation, the other half on the ball game on TV. No, check that, part of his attention was also on Arden, waiting on a table of four guys who were all drooling over her. He tried not to scowl.

Mila frowned. “Seriously? What about getting to know someone? Getting to know her personality. It can’t just all be superficial.”

“I guess it is.” Jamie looked around Shenanigans, where they were gathered Saturday night, possibly looking for a woman he’d feel that instant attraction to.

Tyler grinned. “Menaresuperficial assholes.”

“It’s different for women,” Emma said. “Sometimes you meet a guy and you think he’s okay—”

“Or you even think ‘no way,’” Mila interjected.

“True.” Emma nodded. “But then you get to know him better, and he’s got a great sense of humor, and you find yourself starting to find him more and more attractive.”

“That happens to me all the time,” Norton said.

Everyone looked at him.

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