Page 37 of Just Say Yes

We both knew her broody husband was more than happy to stay home with their son and never set foot in the Grudge unless he was forced by Sylvie or his brothers to be social. In reality, he was the perfect match for my quiet, selfless sister: grumpy, tenderhearted, and hopelessly devoted to her.

My nerves jumped as I scanned the crowd, trying to pretend like I wasn’t actively searching for Logan. We hadn’t discussed whattimehe planned to be at the Grudge. I had invited Annie and Sylvie out with the hopes that I’d appear casually aloof and not overly anxious to see him, which was 100 percent the truth.

“Who are you looking for?” Sylvie asked as Annie ordered three lemon drop shots from the bartender.

Annie turned and laughed. “Probably her hot rugby boyfriend.”

My attention snapped in her direction. “He’s not my boyfriend. We’re barely evenfriends.”

I conveniently left out the part about sleeping next to him all night.

Annie leaned in. “You’re telling me that youhaven’timagined what it would be like to see him naked?”

“Leave her alone,” Sylvie cut in. Her face softened when she looked at me and placed a gentle hand on my arm. “Virginity is nothing to be ashamed of.”

The fuck?

“Is that what you think?” I looked between my friend and sister. “I’vehadsex.”

Once ...

They blinked at me like they didn’t know what to say next.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and exhaled. “Fine.I may not be the most experienced woman in the room, but I’m not totally clueless.” Their pitying glances were setting me on edge. My voice rose. “I know my way around a dick, okay?”

Annie sputtered a laugh as Sylvie’s jaw popped open.

I lowered my voice and dismissed the curious glances. “I’ve had ...experiences. It’s just that whenever it comes to actual sex, sometimes I freeze. My head gets clouded with all thewhat-ifs and reasons he won’t call after.” I snatched one of the lemon drop shots in front of me and threw it back. “I can have plenty of fun without ...that.”

Sylvie put up both hands. “Well, color me corrected. I didn’t realize my baby sister was such a slut.”

We all laughed, and I shook my head, easing the tension that had bunched between my shoulder blades.

“You know,” Annie said as she shot back her drink, “there aren’t any rules. You could have fun without all the extra pressure on yourself. No expectations, no heartbreak.”

The idea immediately took root.

No expectations.

No heartbreak.

Was it really that simple? I think I was innately built for commitment, but what if Ichosefor things to stay casual? How could I feel used ifIwas the one doing the using?

I reached forward and gripped Annie’s face between my hands and plopped an obnoxious, smacking kiss right on her lips. “Annie, you’re a genius.”

She laughed and bent her knees in a tiny curtsy. “Thank you, I agree.”

“Excuse me?” A deep voice rumbled behind me and I grinned.

When I turned, my stomach soured, and the smile melted off my face at the sight of a tall stranger standing in front of me.

Whoops. Definitely not Logan.

I blinked up at him as he held out his hand. “May I have this dance?”

“Um ...” I looked around for an easy exit, but Annie and Sylvie only smiled and nodded eagerly.

“Sure, okay,” I answered before sliding off the stool. At the very least, he was offering an escape from even more embarrassing conversations about my limited sex life.

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