Page 36 of Takedown

When the position opened, I had no plans to apply for it until Alex encouraged me to do so. I did it as a joke, never expecting to get past the first interview, but I did. Three interviews later, I was offered the position of claims manager. The job comes with a lot more responsibilities but also a hefty raise and extra vacation time.

“Look at this ho,” Ananda whisper shouts when I walk by her cubicle.

Everyone chuckles.

“Why am I a ho?” I ask.

“Because you’re walking like you just rode a horse. And don’t get me started on you getting married and leaving Vegas before telling anyone. And then you hid all last week,” Ananda says.

I look at Alex and she giggles at me.

“Let’s go to lunch. I’m starving,” I say to shut her up.

Alex and Ananda get their coats, and I run to my small office in the back. Ananda applied for the manager’s job too, and I worried things would get awkward once I got the job, especially since she’s worked here longer, but like the true friend she is, she was happy for me. She went so far as to throw me a surprise party to celebrate my promotion.

Once we’re bundled, the two of us each take one of Alex’s arms and walk to Bean Town Café. Tina has a table in the back ready for us, and as soon as someone takes our order, she slides into the booth next to Alex.

“How’s my baby?” She rubs Alex’s protruding belly.

“Kicking,” Alex says. “There’s definitely a soccer player in there.”

“And how’s our new bride?” Tina’s smile widens and she shares a look with her sister. “Do you need me to put on my lawyer hat?”

This time Alex and Ananda share a look, and I don’t miss Ananda’s smug smile.

“Um, not yet. Since my mom’s around, we decided to stay married for a year to throw her off the scent. I don’t need her thinking I screwed up again.” I take a long sip of my ice water, hoping and praying they change the subject once I’m done drinking.

“Girl, bye,” Ananda says. “A year my big ass. If you haven’t filed papers by now, and you’re going to play house for a year, you ain’t getting no damn divorce. I know Adam sure as hell isn’t going to give you one without a fight. And you can’t even walk straight.”

Alex tries to mask her laugh with a cough but can’t. I cut my eyes to her, and she refuses to meet my stare. I can feel myself blush. Ananda is right about the walking part. I got so turned on after creating a spreadsheet listing all possible expenses for the wedding. When I was done, I slammed the laptop shut and climbed on top of Adam. He offered zero resistance, and I rode him through two orgasms until he flipped me over and I ended up on my back. He threw one of my legs over my head and penetrated me so deep, I lost all thought. Another orgasm later, he erupted inside of me. The second he climbed off my body, I fell asleep, and woke up from my deep slumber this morning wrapped in his arms.

“I see from that blush on your face that Ananda is right,” Tina says. The three of them exchange looks again.

“Why do you three keep looking at each other like that?” I ask.

“Because you’re fooling yourself again like you always do when it comes to yourhusband,” Ananda says. “You should have seen them in Vegas. He was like a possessive crazy boyfriend. If a man even so much as looked at her, he stood to his full height until they walked away. Then Mellie had a few drinks and started flirting with him, saying—”

I elbow Ananda in the ribs, hard enough to cut off her words. She starts to cough, but I catch her eye and give her the death glare.

“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” Ananda says. She chuckles and does the motion of zipping her lips.

“How was meeting his mom and uncle?” Alex asks.

Ananda arches her eyebrows, crosses her arms, and waits for me to speak.

“She’s amazing. Really sweet and funny. And Uncle Finn is a riot.” I tell them about Adam’s mom, and Uncle Finn’s refusal to wear his hearing aids even though he needs them desperately. I slide in the fact about the wedding, and the entire table goes quiet. My three tablemates all stare at each other, then at me without saying a word. After what seems like an eternity of silence, they start to talk at once.

“You’re having a wedding?” Tina asks. “A summer wedding?”

“His mom has the guilt thing down. She pulled the ‘he’s my only child’ card.”

They stare at each other again after my statement. Luckily, the waitress brings our food and I take a big bite of my turkey club. After the first bite, I realize how famished I am, and I take another bite and shovel several fries in my mouth.

“Does this mean you’re going wedding dress shopping?” Alex asks. Her eyebrows are practically to her hairline.

I don’t miss Ananda’s snicker or Tina’s shocked look. After putting more fries in my mouth, all I can do is nod. Everyone waits. They all watch me, and when I reach for more fries, Ananda pushes my plate away. Resigned, I take another sip of water.

I nod slowly and say, “With his mom, and you guys too.” The table goes deathly quiet again, and when Tina catches my eyes and smirks, I look away and clear my throat. I grab my plate and fill my mouth with more of my sandwich.

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