“Yes, I suppose I did.” He glares at her.

  He takes a seat next to me, grabs a blueberry muffin and takes a bite. I roll my eyes, knowing his smirk is about me. There was no subtlety in this family. But as he glances at me, I can’t help but think he is worth the risk.

  THOMAS

  “Can I see you later?” I whisper into Mallory’s ear as I help her pack up Charlie’s car.

  “Maybe,” she teases. “What did you have in mind?”

  “You, me, a bottle of wine and a nice dinner?” I can tell it’s the last part that throws her off.

  “That sounds like a date?” She questions.

  “I suppose it does,” I muse. Was that such a bad thing?

  “Where would we go?” I ask. I know what she is saying ‘where no one will recognize us?’

  “I know a place, just be ready by seven and text me your address.”

  “All set?” Charlie comes out holding a gigantic bag of leftovers from mom.

  “Yes,” Mallory and I say in unison. While Charlie gets in the car, she lets her hand linger on mine just for a second. It’s as if she’s letting me know she misses touching me too.

  “Have a safe trip!” I tap the hood of their car and then get into my truck behind them.

  When I woke up this morning I hadn’t planned on asking Mallory out, but as soon as I saw her it kind of slipped out. It wasn’t like it was that crazy of an ask, I had slept with her and seen her naked on over one occasion. I was curious what else she was hiding behind that sexy exterior. By the time I get home I’m exhausted. Looking at the clock I decide to have time for a nap and pass out on the couch.

  My phone rings twice and I groggily pick up. “Hey, so I know you said seven but can it be eight? I’m running a little late.” My eyes shoot open and I realize I’d slept most of the day away.

  “Yes, no worries.” I try to sound casual in my response.

  “Thank goodness! Okay, see you then!” Was it me or did she sound extra excited today?

  I quickly shower, change into a button up and dress pants and grab my keys. On the way to her apartment, I stop for flowers, Chrysanthemums because she once said they were her favorite. It took two people to find them but once I got them I was on the way to her place.

  “You remembered?” Are the first words to slip from Mallory’s mouth but my eyes are on her outfit. She was wearing a low cut gold dress that hung to her curves. My imagination was getting the better of me and it took all my restraint not to carry her back inside and rip that dress to shreds.

  “Of course,” I finally answer, clearing my throat. She walks away to put them in some water and I watch her ass bounce gracefully with each step. Her heels clicking along makes it something out of a sexy fantasy.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah, why?” I clear my throat.

  “You look a little flushed.” She smirks and I know she’s enjoying what she does to me. I push her against the front door, our bodies clashing together and kiss her achingly slow.

  “W-What?” She protests when the kiss is over.

  “We have dinner to go on.” I’m the one smirking now.

  We go to this quiet little restaurant I know in the town over. It was unlikely we’d run into anyone we knew and the food was fantastic. Of course there was a slight chance we’d run into Alexandria. That wouldn’t be the worst thing would it? I can’t help but enjoy the thought of getting to show off Mallory as mine. Alexandria would get a taste of her own medicine for once.

  Dinner goes off without a hitch. We run into no one and never run out of things to talk about. It was easy to keep the conversation going with her. It’s like I’ve known her forever but I still have so much to learn. Like how she doesn’t like steak or when her gravy touches her peas and she loves red, white over white. The little things you learn when you’re- I can’t bring myself to say dating. Even just thinking it sounds weird. With Alexandria, we had slipped right into things so naturally and I thought she was someone I’d spend my life with. Now that she’s gone it’s hard to imagine doing that with anyone else. I also can’t help but keep comparing her.

  We decide to take a walk near the lake, Mallory kicks off her heels and I carry them for her. A lady shouldn’t have to carry her own things. The moon is almost full, a sliver away from shining completely on us. I take her hand and we walk through the sand at the shore.

  “Did you always want to be a lawyer?” She asks and I pause, no one’s ever asked me that before.

  “No, actually I didn’t.”

  “What did you want to be?”

  “A pilot.” I admit. “I’ve told no one that before.”

  “What made you change?”

  “I wanted a career where I could be home for my family. Which of course seems ironic to me now since I’m pushing thirty something and don’t have one.” I force a laugh.

  “You want kids?” She asks surprised.

  “Yes, I loved growing up in a big family. It’s important to me to have one.” This was technically our first date and here we were talking about kids.

  “I do too, want a big family I mean. Growing up with no siblings kinda does that to someone.” She shrugs. Instantly, I think about having a family with her. Our little copies running around us in a big house, it’s something I can picture with ease and that slightly terrifies me. But what terrifies me more, is how suddenly, I can’t stop thinking about it.

  “I had fun tonight,” Mallory says on the doorsteps to her apartment. I was taught to bring a woman to her door if it was a date or not.

  “I did too,” I smile.

  “Do you want to come in?” She looks between us like she’s not sure what to do.

  “I’d love to,” I hadn’t planned on coming in but I could never turn her down.

  She takes my hand and opens the door, dropping her stuff on the table next to the door. I shrug off my jacket and do the same, but when I turn around, she’s only wearing the tiniest pair of panties. I’m instantly hard.

  “Fuck,” I utter. How was this girl still single?

  “Come on,” She walks down the short hallway and I follow her. Staying a few steps back so I can enjoy the view on the way.

  MALLORY

  I knew it was bold, but I couldn’t wait any longer to have his hands on my body. Ever since he fingered me yesterday, I had been dripping with desire for him. Anytime I was around him, it was like it instantly turned me on. This was turning into a bit more than I bargained for. That first night at the bar he had loved my boldness, so I went for it. I was confident in my curves, and I knew he was dying to come in. He had been checking me out all night long. Plus, despite this being our first date, it wasn’t like we hadn’t done this before.

  I lay back on his bed, my head on the pillows waiting for him to tell me what he wants. I never knew I was sexually submissive, I usually hated men or anyone telling me what to do but with Thomas I can’t help it.

  “Daddy?” I look up at him expectantly and he growls, climbing over me in bed.

  “Take these off.” He groans looking at my panties.

  “Okay, Daddy.” I delicately and purposefully slide my panties down each thigh and kick them across the room. Thomas’ eyes are glued to my pussy. I’ve never felt so confident before, because honestly vaginas are weird to look at but the way he’s looking at mine makes me blush. Before I can ask what’s next, he peels off his t-shirt and throws it across the room.

  “I want to watch you touch yourself.” He says gently, like he’s ordering takeout or something. Not asking to watch me fuck myself.

  “I—” I’m about to hesitate when he tugs off his jeans and boxers, laying as bare as I am. He’s hard, and grabs his dick in one hand.

  “I want to watch.” He repeats with a growl.

  “Yes, Daddy.” I say breathless. Watching him was proving to be hotter than I expected.

  I slide my hand down my chest, touching my breasts. Stopping to squeeze and knead each nipple between my fingers. After a few minutes of that, I get brave and slide my hand between my legs. Gasping gently as I feel how wet I am. It’s been awhile since I’ve touched myself without a vibrator but I’m not about to go admitting that right now. Thomas is slowly rubbing himself as he watches me. The sexual tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.

  My fingers graze my clit for just a moment before delving inside my pussy. I moan as I slide a second finger inside. My breath hitchs as I slowly pump them in and out. Thomas mimics my pace and I take this as an opportunity to tease him. Slowly pumping then speeding up just to stop and over again. He catches on after the second time and glares at me with a scowl. I press my thumb to my clit just enough and keep my eyes on Thomas. I was turned on before we started this, so it wouldn’t be long now.

  “I want to cum,” I moan, locking eyes on Thomas.

  “Baby, cum for me.” He stops touching myself and starts kissing, licking and sucking on my neck. The sensitivity is too much for me and pushes me over the edge.

  “Fuck! I’m coming!” I gasp, my back arching as I feel the orgasm take over. As it flows through me, I close my eyes calling out Thomas’ name.

  My legs start to give out just when my hands are pushed away. I shoot my eyes open when I see Thomas’ positioning himself between my legs. He doesn’t hesitate to fuck me, pumping quickly, and it’s only a minute before I’m coming again, this time the orgasm even bigger. He collapses on top of me as he comes and I have to catch my breath. I had heard of women having multiple orgasms but I’d never experienced them until now.

  We lay breathless in my sheets, curled into each other. Thomas wraps his arms around me and I find myself in the crook of his neck once again. He’s rubbing my hair softly, and I can hear his heartbeat speeding faster than a racehorse. It was nice, but it was hard to tell where we stood. As much as I hated the stereotype, I didn’t understand why a woman asking where she stood with a man was needy. I deserve not to waste my time, despite my lifetime of feelings. I’d rather protect my heart before falling even harder.

  “What is this?” I ask bluntly. I can’t see his face but his hands freeze on my hair.

  “What do you mean?” He asks clearly playing dumb. He had to know what I meant.

  “This, us. What are we doing here?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Okay.”

  “You’re mad.” He sighs.

  “It’s hard to know if I’m betraying my best friend for a relationship or a booty call.” I snap. I am a little tired of this in between we accidentally started.

  “Hey,” he pulls me back as I get up.

  “What?” I don’t know where they came from but the tears start.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.” He frowns and grabs a tissue.

  “If you don’t want me like that, it’s fine. But then let’s just call it friends with benefits and call it a day, okay?”

  “Mallory, there’s no way I only see you as friends with benefits.”

  “Okay, then I’m a tad confused here.”

  “I like you, I enjoy spending time with you and getting to know you as more than my little sister’s best friend. But I just got dumped like a month ago, I’m not ready for a relationship because it wouldn’t be fair to you. With that being said, if you need to step back I understand. I’m not saying no, I just need more time to heal before we really start something.” He admits.

  “Oh,” I’m speechless. I didn’t know Alexandria dumped him and clearly it hurt him if he wasn’t ready for anything new.

  “That’s all you can say?” He chuckles.

  “I’m just surprised. Did something happen there?”

  “She was talking to her ex while we were together, so it feels like I got cheated on.” He sighs.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “Thanks, I just don’t want to hurt you. I care about you and I’m enjoying this. Whatever it is, I just need to take it slow. I’m sorry.”

  “No, thank you for explaining. We can take this slow, as long as I know you’re feeling whatever this is too.” I blush.

  “I’m definitely feeling this.” Thomas pulls me into his lap and holds me. His golden eyes boring into mine, I feel relief. Even if it took him some time, I knew it would be worth it. I just hoped everyone else would think so too.

  THOMAS

  “Do we have to go grocery shopping?” Mallory groans. I’ve never seen a grown woman complain about going grocery shopping before, it was kind of adorable.

  “Yes, I can’t make you dinner if we don’t have the ingredients.” I remind her as I glance at the pastas. Looking for the medium shells so I can make her favorite.

  She sighs and pushes the cart but I spin her around, pressing my body into hers and whisper in her ear. “Plus, then I can have you for dessert.”

  Mallory nods eagerly and smiles. We’d had a lot of sex these last few weeks, but we haven’t done that yet and I knew she was waiting. It wasn’t my favorite thing, but for her I was dying for a taste.

  “Have you thought more about coming out with me this weekend?” She smiles as she grabs a box of tomato sauce.

  “With your work friends?” I clarify. She knew we were ready to introduce each other to our friends, but work friends were fresh territory.

  “Yes, I may or may not have told them about you. And you sort of already came out with them.” She reminds me of that fateful night we reunited.

  “Thomas?” The voice sends chills down my spine. Looking up to see Alexandria, her son Elijah and Eden were not on my list of people to run into today.

  “Alexandria,” My mouth forms a line. I grip Mallory’s hand in mine, I know it’s childish, but as if to show I moved on too. “Eden.”

  “Thomas.” She frowns. Elijah says nothing but looks between us. We’d met once before but I doubt he remembered me.

  “Hi, I’m Mallory.” She extends her hand to Alexandria, then Eden but Alexandria’s eyes are glued to me.

  “It’s good to see you,” she smiles.

  “Wish I could say the same,” I snap. “Let’s go.” I turn the shopping cart around and storm down the aisle with Mallory in tow. I leave the cart in a random aisle and don’t look back until we’re both at the car.

  “What the hell was that?” Mallory asks as we get back into the car.

  “My ex.” I say simply.

  “The one who you just…”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” I snap.

  How could she already be with Eden? I knew I was being hypocritical but I was only sleeping with Mallory. Eden was someone she basically cheated on me with the entire relationship. She was always in the background of us, and now she goes back to her? What happened to her fiance? So much for Eden not being a threat. I guess it is always the people they tell you not to worry about.

  “I need you to take me home,” Mallory says calmly.

  “What? Why?”

  “Because I don’t like the way you just acted and if you can’t, at least, explain your anger, I don’t feel comfortable being with you right now. You went from zero to one hundred in seconds.”

  “She was with the woman, Eden she was talking to our entire relationship. Her ex. I never once met her son while we dated because she didn’t feel ready and I respected that. But it’s not even a month later and there he was with her all happy like a family.” I retort. It wasn’t even that I was angry that they were together, it bothered me how much she told me not to worry and that there was nothing going on. Only for all of that to be a blatant lie.

  “I understand.” Mallory reaches for my hand. I want to pull away but I don’t, I was just tired of feeling like this. Shouldn’t I be over Alexandria by now? Yet every time I think I’m doing better she snakes her way back into my head.

  “I’m sorry.” We walk out of there buying nothing. I just had to get out of there or I’d explode.

  “It’s okay, why don’t we go back to my place and order in some pizza? I have some beer in my fridge.” She smiles.

  “You don’t have food in your fridge but you have beer?” I laugh.

  “Hey! I have the necessities!” I look at her while she laughs, full of joy. Before thinking about it I pull her in for a kiss, just enough to get a taste of how she’s feeling.

  We head back to her apartment and order a pizza but my mind is on anything but the movie she put on. About halfway through, I make an excuse to leave. I end up going home instead of spending the night at Mallory’s. I assure her it’s work related but I’m pretty sure we both know that’s a lie. Alexandria was in my head and it hurt how much I was angry and could still miss her. What the fuck was up with that? If I hadn’t put myself out there in the proposal, I don’t think I’d be this hurt, but that was embarrassing as fuck. I don’t know if I’d ever want to propose to someone ever again.

  MALLORY

  Charlie calls me on the way to Thomas’ apartment and I lie about where I’m going for the third time this week. I hated what this was turning into. Before Thomas, I never had a reason to lie to my best friend.

  “So where are you going?” Charlie asks.

  “Just for a drive,” I lie. I couldn’t have come up with a better lie?

  “Girl, I know where you’re going, no need to lie.” She says and my blood freezes. My hands grip the steering wheel tighter.

  “Uh, what?” I try to sound normal but it comes out three octaves higher than expected.

  “If you’re going to Taco Bell, you don’t have to lie.” She laughs. I was notorious for my late night runs to Taco Bell but that was definitely not what I thought she was going to say.

  “Lauren’s here! Look, just have a Crunch wrap for me and we’ll call it even. Love you!” She says happily.

  “Love you,” I say back but I’m not all in it. Lying to your best friend, even for the right reasons, made you feel like shit. Wouldn’t she eventually find out? Would she ever forgive me for how long it took me to tell her the truth?