Page 37 of The Stud Next Door (Frisky Business 3)
“Hey, Jess. How’s city life treating you?” Taylor’s voice is chipper and bright, even through the phone.
She’s only a year younger than me, and we’ve been close since we were kids. Working together to raise your four younger siblings will bond you in ways you didn’t think possible, even if she’s kind of the yin to my yang. It’s only been a little over a week since we last talked, but it feels like we haven’t caught up in forever.
“So good, Tay. You have no idea,” I say with a low chuckle.
Taylor makes an interested noise, somewhere between a cluck and a chuckle. “You like living above an older couple that much, huh?” she teases.
“Well, I do love how close I am to work.”
“Oh yeah, how are things going with the hunky dad? He’s not going all pervy on you, is he?”
I know Taylor’s just trying to be a good sister, but I can’t keep my stomach from sinking a little. This isn’t exactly how I wanted this conversation to go.
“Pervy’s not how I’d describe it.”
“What does that mean?” Taylor’s tone is flat, analytical. She’s always been the brainy one, needing facts and data.
“He’s really sweet, Tay. Like, shockingly sweet. And he’s so good with Marley. We’ve been hanging out, kind of. I mean, I’m friends with his friends now, and they’re all super cool. I’m actually starting to feel like I’ve found my people here.”
“Isn’t this the guy who owns a sex shop?”
“Co-owns. And they sell adult toys. That doesn’t make them monsters. What’s wrong with a little pleasure now and then?” I say it as lightly and jokingly as possible, but Taylor only half laughs.
“Right.”
“I think you’d really like him, actually,” I say. “He’s smart like you. And he’s got this great sense of humor. He’s such an easy guy to be around. I think you two would really get along.”
“Why would I meet your boss?”
Her tone isn’t accusing or mean, but I can’t help feeling like I’m a little in trouble. She may be younger than me, but I swear sometimes Taylor acts like such a big sister.
“We, uh, may or may not have gone on the best first date I’ve had in my whole life,” I say quickly. “And I know what you’re going to say, but believe me, it’s not what it sounds like. Connor’s such a gentleman, and I didn’t even realize he was asking me out at first. I think we have a genuine connection. I mean, our chemistry is freaking unbelievable.”
I giggle through the last few words, and Taylor clears her throat.
I gulp. Yep, I’m definitely in trouble.
“Jess, don’t you think it’s a little unwise to start dating someone new? You’re about to leave the country for six months.”
She’s not saying anything I don’t already know, but that doesn’t change the fact that her words sting like a slap to the face.
I take in a sharp breath and try to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach. “Yeah, I mean, I know it’s complicated, but Connor knows about the trip, and he’s cool with it.”
“Is that really fair to either of you, though? Are you going to ask him to wait for you? Are you going to wait for him? Who’s to say that your soul mate isn’t waiting for you in Central America? Do you really want to be too hung up on a single dad to even see it?”
Okay, that doesn’t sting. That fucking hurts.
“That’s really harsh, Tay.”
“I’m not trying to hurt your feelings. I just want you to be realistic, so that you don’t get your feelings hurt six and a half months from now.”
It feels like my stomach is filled with a giant pile of boulders. I take a deep breath and push away any sadness or anger that’s trying to enter my mind.
“Thanks for your concern, but I’ve got it handled,” I say, my voice stiff and a little cold.
Taylor sighs. “Jess, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I just want you to be careful, that’s all.”
“Got the message loud and clear. Hey, I’ve got to go, Marley’s waking up from her nap. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“Okay. I love you, Jess. I just want what’s best for you.”
“Mm-hmm. Okay. ’Bye.”
I hang up and throw my head back on the sofa. I had a feeling Taylor might be suspicious of Connor, but her fully shutting down any possibility that this will end well? That wasn’t what I was expecting.
I check the baby monitor app on my phone to find Marley babbling and waving her arms around. It’s time to push my worries about Connor aside and do the job he’s paying me for. I’ll have to figure out how to feel about all this later.
The rest of the afternoon breezes by. I read a couple of books to Marley before she gets bored and reaches for her toys. I’m just laying her down for tummy time in the living room when I hear the front door unlock, and my stomach lurches.
