Page 53 of Force Play
“Yes,” I admit. “I wanted sex, and he was there. It was just a one-time thing.”
Yup.
One-time only.
Definitely don’t want him and his fancy dick again.
“Is it weird living together now?” Liv asks, seemingly surprised by my admission.
“No,” I shrug. “Why would it be weird? We slept together once, and we’re good now.”
Harlow looks at me curiously. “Are you friends now?”
“I wouldn’t say we’re friends, but we don’t really dislike each other anymore. He’s… alright.”
“That might as well be a declaration of love,” Rory laughs, “with the way you two have always been.”
“Can we stop focusing on my sex life and instead worry about Lo’s wedding? That’s why we’re here!”
Harlow smiles brightly. “I can’t believe I’m getting ready to get married.”
“To the man you told us you weren’t going to fall in love with, no less,” I tease, playfully pushing her shoulder.
“So happy to be wrong.”
I look on happily, trying to ignore the pang in my chest.
I’m so happy for Harlow, truly, but I’m jealous, too.
I’m jealous ofallmy friends.
Rory and Cole? Married.
Ella and Josh? Married.
Harlow and Knox? Almost married.
Olive and Lane? Not married, but we know they will be one day.
Then there’s me, hopelessly single and waiting for a man who matches me.
Someone who isn’t turned off by my tenacity and is supportive of how much I love my career.
Unfortunately, I’m starting to think he doesn’t exist.
My dreams of having a family one day are just starting to feel so unattainable.
I’m thirty-one; I shouldn’t feel like this yet.
I guess it’s just hard when I’m surrounded by nothing but love. It makes me want it for myself even more.
And it just fucking sucks that I don’t think it’s coming.
seventeen
Ari
Thewinterwindwhipsthrough the air as I trudge back to my building, coffees in hand and phone pressed between my ear and my shoulder.
