Page 64 of After 5

“Thanks,” I said. “I’ll call the taxidermy place before I leave for work tomorrow and make the arrangements.”

We drank our coffee in silence.

“Did we, you know?” I finally asked him.

“You don’t remember?” His blue eyes leveled with mine.

“Everything’s a bit fuzzy after we left the bar.”

“Wow,” he leaned back in his chair. “I made a great impression.”

“I’m pretty sure the answer is no, but I was really plowed last night, and if I did, I’m…well…I’m not ready to be with you in that way.”

He stood, leaving his half-full cup on the table. “I think I’ll head home on that note.”

“Marco, wait.” I stood and grabbed his forearm.

He turned and pressed his lips together before he spoke. “Just for the record, both of us had a lot to drink last night, but I wouldn’t take advantage of a drunk woman. Besides, I want our first time together to be unforgettable.”

Relief washed over my face, and he acknowledged my reaction with an icy stare. “Later.”

After he left, Gertie bounded down the stairs as I reheated my cold cup of coffee.

“Well, was he like over the top?”

“Gertie, I didn’t have sex with Marco, and I drank too much.” I rubbed my temples trying to wish my headache away. “I can’t remember much from last night.”

“You finally had a chance for a roll in the hay with the blond god and you can’t remember a thing?”

“Seems so.”

“What a waste.” She handed me two ibuprofen and a bottle of water.

I washed them down with the water, thanked her, and took my reheated coffee to the table.

“Brodie seemed a little put off that Marco spent the night.”

“He’ll get over it. Being best buds with Caiyan and all. He thinks Caiyan has joined the Mafusos for other reasons than his key.” She refilled her mug and sat down next to me at the table.

“Caiyan should have confided in me, Gertie. He’s engaged to Satan’s bitch. Am I supposed to sit around and hope my prince charming has an ulterior motive?”

“You shouldn’t have to act like Mother Theresa when he’s plastered all over the cover of the National Enquirer with the twiggy witch.”

I chuckled at the nickname.

She smiled. “Brodie came up with it. Fits her, right?”

Gertie was right on both accounts. Caiyan’s trust issues were getting old, and I wanted more. I wasn’t sure I wanted more with Marco. He had his own share of issues.

“Besides, who’d blame you if you had a taste of Marco. Did you see his shorts this morning? Lord have mercy, he’s hiding something amazing in those drawers.”

I couldn’t control my giggle at her off-color remark. I loved living with Gertie. When she first moved in, we were so opposite I thought living together would be a disaster, but she became my best friend, my confidant, and my wing woman. We finished our coffee, and I headed upstairs to shower.

Brodie met me at the top of the stairs, dressed and freshly shaved.

“Hey, about last night,” I began. “With Marco…”

“Jen, ya don’t have to explain ta me, but as long as I’ve known McGregor, he’s always had my back. He wouldn’t keep intel from me unless it put me in harm’s way.”

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