Page 54 of Deception and New Direction

I sighed, enjoying the warm coffee asItook a sip. “Mmm.Youreally know how to make a woman happy.”

He chuckled. “Ifthat’s all it takes to make you happy, thenI’mnot doing my job right.”

His sexy grin told me what he was thinking.Ijust rolled my eyes and shook my head.

“You feel up to going with me to the home improvement store to look at some flooring options?” he asked.

WhenJackhad first moved in, he’d had all the original hardwood flooring refinished throughout the house, but he had yet to replace the tile in the kitchen and bathrooms.

“Yes,”Itold him excitedly, perking up at the idea of an adventure with my newfound crutch freedom. “Andnow thatIdon’t have my cast on anymore,Idemand that you let me do more to help out.I’vebeen watchingYouTubevideos on how to replace tile, andIthinkIcan be a big help.”

He sighed but begrudgingly agreed.

Eight hours, four cans of spackle, and a billion pieces of tile later, we had made some good progress.

Given that the kitchen was now a mess, we had ordered some food to be delivered and were going to eat it while we watched a movie in the living room.

I had changed into a simple pair of sweatpants, one of my oversized tees, and no bra.

I was telling him about the geckos thatDashhad collected from the backyard and put in a pile by the back door as though they were a present for us.Jackput down the remote after he cued up the movie and looked over at me.

I had leaned over to show him the photoI'dtaken ofDashproudly sitting by his lizard stockpile.Myphone buzzed asIwas showing him the pic, and a text fromCatappeared at the top of the screen.

What about a male strip club?Whatabout your friend from the male strip club?

Jack turned to me with a raised eyebrow. "Yougoing to a male strip club?”

Another message popped up.

He likes you.Maybehe'll get us a discount.

Jack's smirk disappeared. “Thefuck.Whatdoes that mean?”

“Nothing,”Iswatted at him trying to textCatback. “Iknow a guy who works there, and he offered me discounted tickets to a night when he's working.”

Jack slid the phone out of my hand.

“What are you doing?”Iasked, starting to get pissed.

“I’m tellingCatno for you.You'renot going to visit some guy who strips and wants to give you a discount to come see him.”

“What?You’rebeing ridiculous,Jack.Thisis for your sister’s bachelorette party.”

Another message popped in.

Text him and ask him if thatFridayworks.

Jack read it out loud then turned to me. “Youhave his number already?What’shis name?I'mtexting him now and telling him to lose your number.”

“What the hell,Jack?Stopbeing an asshole.”Ireached and took my phone back, though he didn’t fight me.

“You like this guy?”

Oh myGod…Hewas jealous.Jackwas jealous of my gay hairstylist.ThoughIguess he didn’t know he was gay.Icould tell him, but this was way more fun.

“Yes, but it's not what you’re thinking.”

“A man who gives you his number so you’ll come visit him while he strips is not someone you want in your phone.”

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