Page 76 of Pity Party

MELISSA

What was I doing letting Jamie kiss me?Bad, Melissa, I silently scold myself. But even so, I can’t help but appreciate the sheer delight the experience evoked. My extremities are still tingling like they've been brought back to life via electric shock paddles.

The bad news is that I liked kissing Jamie even better than the first time when we were in the tunnel. I’ve gotten to know him since then, begrudging as it’s been. The truth is, he’s a straight-up great guy who loves his daughter and wants to protect her no matter what the inconvenience to his life. And that right there is beyond sexy to me.

Regarding his suggestion that I should be able to kiss whomever I want so long as Tim is doing the same, I tell him, “I don’t make my decisions based on how Tim makes his.”

“Tim is a man whore.”

“He’s dating around so he doesn’t wind up heartbroken again. He’s been on the short end of too many cheatings, and he wants to make sure the next woman he winds up with is the one.”

“By swapping spit with the free world?” Jamie seems to find this behavior as distasteful as I do. But I don’t tell him how I feel.

That comment brings me back to what the two of us just did. “I make decisions based on what’s right for me. And locking lips with you every time one of us gets the urge doesn’t seem like a safe course of action.”

“I promise to tell you if I get the sniffles or feel a cold coming on,” he says.

How can such a smart guy be so dense?“That’s not what I mean, and you know it.”

As he turns down Terra’s street, he suggests, “How about if we pick up this conversation on our way home tonight?”

“What good would that do?”

“It would give you time to consider the benefits of having me as a good friend.”

“Again,” I tell him, “I already have good friends and the definition of our relationships does not include sticking our tongues down each other’s throats.” I feel the heat as my face flushes. I know from experience I’ve just turned beet red.

“Then maybe we should redefine ourselves asreallygood friends,” he suggests.

“I like you, Jamie,” I tell him honestly. “But you and I are looking for different things in a relationship. I’m looking for a guy who wants to be with me, all of me. Not just some convenience to hook up with when the mood strikes.”

He pulls over in front of the address Terra gave us, before jamming the gear shift into park. “I never suggested hooking up. Not once.”

I scoff. “Yeah, but you can’t tell me you wouldn’t jump at the chance to crawl into my bed if you didn’t think there would be any strings.”

He visibly gulps. “I’m only human, Melissa,” he says. “But I’m also a nice guy and if I tell you I won’t do anything more than kiss you, that’s what I mean.”

“What if I want more?” ‘Cause let’s face it, if he kisses me like that for long, I’m only human, too.

He shakes his head. “I’m sorry, but I wouldn’t be able to oblige your burning hot desires for my manly bod.”

“For the love of …” I can’t help it, I start laughing. “Fine. We can discuss this later,” I tell him while pointing to the clock. “We’re already late and I don’t want to be rude to our hosts.”

Jamie gets out and opens the car door for me. He carries the wine and I carry the flowers. We follow the brick path to the back of the house in silence until we arrive at the wide expanse of the patio. Two couples are already there. Terra and Rob, and another couple that has me gasping like I’m witnessing a murder.

“Tim? What are you doing here?” I demand as my gaze travels to his companion—who I might mention isnotShandy from this morning.How many women is this guy dating?

To his credit, Tim looks surprised and perhaps a bit embarrassed to see me. “Missy? What areyoudoing here?”

“Terra’s sister Holly and I used to be friends. Terra and I ran into each other at the pool today.”

Tim belatedly remembers his manners and extends his hand to Jamie. “Hey, man, nice to see you again.”

Jamie looks like the only reason he’d take Tim’s hand would be to gain enough leverage to flip him overKarate Kid-style. “Tim.” His arms remain at his sides.

Tim’s date clears her throat to get his attention, resulting in him moving back to her side. “Missy, Jamie, this is my … um … my … Heather.”

Unlike Shandy from this morning, Heather seems to be around our age. “I’m Tim’sdate.” Her tone is as toasty as a winter day in Antarctica. I suppose she’d have to be a total moron not to sense the tension between me and Tim, making her feel the need to stake her claim.

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