Page 16 of Pieces of Us
Audrey smiles. “Gigi, I wish I could be more like you.”
She shrugs. “Most people do.”
Audrey turns to me as our drinks are delivered. I still can’t look the server in the eye. “I’m going to say something, but before I do, keep an open mind and hear me out.”
Audrey’s not usually the one to be cooking up a plan, so I’m intrigued. “Okay, mind is open.”
“I’m serious, open mind, no preconceived notions.”
I shift in my seat, straightening my back. “Preconceived notions gone.”
“Linc.”
“What about him?”
“He could be your monthly great sex friend.”
I almost spit out my drink and I feel like my eyes are going to pop out of my face. “Really, Audrey? That’s the solution you’ve come up with?”
“I said to have an open mind. You’re both single, you haven’t killed each other yet with wedding projects, and you already know that you’re sexually compatible.”
“Nope. No, ma’am. It’s Linc! One-night stand guy, playboy, one of Jax’s best friends. How could you even think that would work?”
“He won’t admit it to anyone, but he’s slowed down with women a lot lately. I think you both could compartmentalize the sex. And remember, sex with Linc was, and I quote, ‘the best sex you’ve had in years.’”
I turn to Gigi, who has been sitting, quietly taking in our conversation. “What do you think of this little plan, G?”
She tilts her head back and forth like she’s thinking about it. “I don’t know. I mean, I get the whole one-night stand thing sucked. But he’s apologized more than once, and he’s made a real effort to be friends with you. And you did mention something about multiple orgasms when recapping that night. That’s hard to find.”
Memories of that night flash through my mind. Thoughts of his mouth, those orgasms, and his dick almost have me considering Audrey’s suggestion. But then I come back to reality and know hooking up with Linc could cause chaos.
I shake my head. “No, too messy, Audrey.”
“All I’ll say is think about it. I really like Linc. Deep down, he’s a good guy, and I think he would make sure that monthly fuck gave you what you needed. And he would be able to keep things simple.”
“Agreed,” Gigi chimes in.
I down the rest of my mimosa. These two women are insane if they think anything between Linc and me would end up being simple.
Chapter Eight
Linc
It’s rare that Jax can get out on a Sunday. It’s usually his “Audrey day,” so when he sent Marcus and me a text to meet for lunch, I figured the wedding must be throwing their routine off. We agreed to meet at a sports bar not far from where we had our place in Cleveland Circle while we were in college.
“Why do twenty-one-year-olds look so young?” Jax looks around the bar over his menu.
I laugh. “You sound like an old man. We’re twenty-eight, not sixty.”
“It is sort of weird being in a place full of college students, though.” Marcus puts his menu down and picks up his beer.
“Do you guys ever miss college?” I ask the guys.
Almost in unison, I hear, “Hell no,” from Jax and, “Fuck no,” from Marcus.
“I thought it was fun, but I like life now. I wouldn’t go back.”
“I would never trade for a life without Audrey.” Jax shakes his head.
