“Absolutely. After all, we’re baring our souls here,” she said.

  “Do you want to let go of the stupid restrictions we put into place?”

  Alex stiffened in her chair, waiting for further explanation.

  Lennon cleared her throat, shook her head, and then gulped a large drink of her beer. Putting her palms down on the table, she leaned back in her chair.

  “We set all these parameters on what we should and shouldn’t do, without really saying as much. So much so that it felt as if one of us should feel awkward for being in the same bar as the other. So much so that even when I wanted to text you to check in, I didn’t because I didn’t feel like it was appropriate. What do you say we say ‘screw appropriate’ and just live?”

  “And what does that just living entail?” Alex smiled, both scared and excited at the possibility of blurring the lines and breaking the rules. Her heart longed for freedom without rules. She gulped, though. What risk did it hold?

  “It means if we want to hang out, we do.” Lennon took in a deep breath. A smile fell over her face. “It means if we enjoy each other’s company, especially while you’re just getting settled and don’t want to feel all alone in a new place and while I’m enjoying being around you as much as I do, let’s cut through the bullshit and stop placing so many limits—spoken or unspoken—on what we can and can’t do.”

  “I like it.” Alex nodded slowly, considering the proposal. “But still nothing serious, right?”

  “Of course not,” Lennon smiled. Her shoulders relaxed as she grabbed her beer glass. “That wouldn’t be a good deal for either of us right now.”

  “Then I think it sounds like a good plan,” Alex said, unclenching her jaws and relieving some of the tension she held. “Where does that plan lead us after we finish these beers?” She smiled seductively, hoping she already knew the answer.

  “Your place or mine, as long as you’re game.” Lennon winked.

  Alex let out a heavy breath and nodded. One of these days, she’d find a way to tell Lennon how that wink undid everything in the fibers of her resolve. For now, she’d drink her beer and follow wherever the night may lead her.

  Focusing her attention on her beer, she took a sip and let the tastes mingle on her tongue. She looked up and saw Lennon’s stunning blue eyes staring into hers. “What is it?”

  “You looked like you were savoring every drop,” Lennon noted. “I was just watching you.”

  Alex’s cheeks burned, and she knew they were showing redness. “It’s tasty,” she said, grinning. “I really think I might like it more than I anticipated.” Under Lennon’s stare, her lust built. She wanted nothing more than to feel Lennon’s lips against hers.

  Throwing caution to the wind, she leaned across the table and kissed Lennon deeply. When she leaned back, Lennon’s hand grabbed hers, and their fingers intertwined.

  “That’s what just living looks like, right?” Alex asked, running her finger across her bottom lip, confident that wherever this path led, it would be a journey worth taking.

  Chapter Nine

  Sinatra was blaring throughout the house accompanied by the smells of the shrimp diavolo simmering in the kitchen. Grant sang along, toasting himself with his glass of champagne. He tried to drown out Lennon’s little giggles and the sound of her typing on her phone and embrace the fact that his dinner party for two had practically turned into a dinner party for one, since she’d long since stopped listening to a word he said. Sitting across from him, she was engaged in what appeared to be a very in-depth texting conversation ever since she’d offered to help out with the cooking.

  “Put that thing down,” he finally snapped, his impatience getting the best of him.

  “Sorry.” She grinned sheepishly and set her phone down on the table. “I was just…”

  “You were texting Alex,” he said, shaking his head. “Don’t bother coming up with an excuse.”

  “I…” she started, but he held up the tongs in his hand and snapped them in front of her.

  “Don’t worry about it. It’s fine,” he said, setting down the tongs and reaching for the glass of champagne he’d poured for her. Handing it to her, he smiled. “I’m happy to see you happy. I just also want to hang out with you.”

  “I know,” she said, nodding too quickly. He could tell she was frazzled, but he knew better than to push the subject. If he asked too many questions, she would shut down entirely and he would be left eating dinner in silence as she sulked.

  “Have I told you lately that…” he started, and she shook her head, a laugh bubbling up from deep inside of her.

  “I’m your hero?” she asked playfully.

  He nodded. “It’s true. Now get in here and help me chop this salad. I need my sous chef.”

  She rolled her eyes but smiled in his direction and set to work chopping the vegetables and the mozzarella.

  “How’s that going by the way?” he asked in the silence between songs.

  “It’s good,” she answered, but her words came out too quickly, too pointed.

  “What is it?” He stepped closer, lowering his gaze to make eye contact.

  She opened her mouth and shut it, then reached for her champagne. “Nothing new to report,” she said, downing the glass and handing it back to him for a refill.

  “The lies you tell,” he teased. “There’s some kind of report in there, but on another note, let’s change the subject. Let’s talk about me.”

  She laughed and nodded. “Yes, let’s. That’s something we haven’t touched on in a while,” she said.

  “You know it’s my favorite subject,” he said, keeping his voice deadpan. “But anyway, I was thinking that maybe you and I could go out on Saturday after we get off. I checked the schedule and we’re both working afternoon shifts. We should be done by nine, unless it gets crazy. After that, let’s hit the town, and you can play wingman for me.”

  “Why can’t we play wingman for each other?”

  He slid in between her and the vegetables and placed his hands on his hips, staring at her with curiosity.

  “You know that’s dangerous when I have a knife in my hand,” she said, shaking her head.

  “It was worth the risk,” he said. “Why on earth would you need a wingman?”

  “I told you this was nothing serious.” She glanced into the salad bowl, avoiding eye contact. “We don’t have a label. We’re not exclusive. She’s free to do as she pleases, and so am I.”

  He nodded and slid back down the counter. Wiping his hands on the dishtowel, he stared at her. Paying him no mind, she continued chopping, and he shook his head. Denial was strong. Normally, he’d call her out on it, but she seemed intent on keeping up the charade.

  “So are you in or not?” he asked after a moment of silence.

  “Saturday sounds good,” she said, casually looking over her shoulder and offering a smile. “I’m in.”

  “Good,” he said, plating the pasta as he talked. “After dinner, do you want to watch the new Superman flick?”

  “Actually…” She drew the word out too long, and he already knew what was coming next. Before the words were out of her mouth, he reminded himself to keep his expressions neutral. “Alex is going to come over later tonight.”

  His expressions betrayed him, and he smirked. Forgoing neutrality, he poked her in the rib. Jumping, she cast him a serious look. “You know I’m ticklish.”

  “I know you are, just as much as you know I’m right about you and Alex,” he said, mocking her serious face. “I don’t know what it is with you lesbians, pairing up so damn quickly and then denying it. It’s only been a few weeks.”

  Lennon raised her hand in the air, knife still in tow, and cut him off. “A little over a month,” she corrected.

  His smile grew, and he shook his head. “Whatever.” He laughed. “So it’s been a month—only a month—but y’all spend practically every night together.” He waited for her response. When she gave none, he shook his head, setting the plates on the table. “You two are a cat adoption and a matching flannel photo shoot away from being a statistic.”

  Despite the faux anger in her eyes, she laughed. “I’m allergic to cats,” was the only retort she offered.

  “Let’s eat,” he said, pointing to the plates.

  Her sass-filled stare was replaced with wide-eyed wonder as she looked at the pasta in front of her. “This looks amazing,” she said, smiling up at him. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” he said, taking his seat. “But you’re not off the hook. If the nightly lesbian slumber party is going to take place in this space we share and if this woman is going to take away my enjoyment of your post-breakup hang-out time, I want to know more.”

  Lennon unsuccessfully stifled a sigh and nodded. “You’ve been down in the trenches with me, and you’ve helped me through a lot of bullshit, so what is it you want to know?”

  “What makes this one so special?”

  In lieu of an answer, Lennon stuffed a large bite of pasta and shrimp into her mouth. Knowing she was just buying herself time, Grant spread out a napkin on his lap and waited. Wanting to push her buttons just a bit more, he laid his hands on the table. “Does she have nipples that taste like bacon?” Lennon coughed, almost choking on her shrimp, and scowled at him. “I mean, what is it?” he continued. “What flipped the switch in your head and said this one was worth breaking your rules?”

  “You’re an ass,” she said as she swallowed. “It’s not like I made any decision other than to see her more than once. And when I did, the world didn’t end. I’m having fun. She’s having fun. There’s no harm. It is what it is.”

  “That’s a poor excuse for an answer,” he said, narrowing his eyes. He picked up his fork. “But anyway, we were going to talk about me.”

  “And you’re the one who keeps changing the subject,” she quipped. “Want to fill me in on the life and times of one Mr. Grant Brewer?”

  “I’d love to,” he said, his response mock-serious in tone. “In the life of Grant, not much is new, aside from the fact that I booked tickets today and I’m finally getting out of this town next month.”

  “Did you bite the bullet and decide it was time for your New York trip?”

  He nodded proudly, his smile growing with each passing second. “I need to get away. As for Saturday, I need a little outing to get back in the game before I travel alone.”

  “Good,” she said. “It’ll be fun.” She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Instead, concern deepened their color, giving her away. But he didn’t question it. Whatever was going on with her was far too complex for him to get involved with. He’d step in and be her shoulder to cry on if and when she needed him. For now, it was best to keep it lighthearted.

  “What do you think of the shrimp diavolo?” he asked, pointing to her plate.

  “It’s so good I’m thinking about my options of marrying a food product,” she said, this time giving him a genuine smile. “Thanks for keeping me fed.”

  “Someone has to,” he teased. “The way you flit in and out of here, off to work, off to play, off to do…” he paused, deciding to let the worn-out joke fade into the evening, “other things.”

  Taking his cue to brush their banter under the rug, she smiled and continued eating. As she cleaned the kitchen later, he thought about asking her what time to expect Alex. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

  “I’ll be in the living room,” he said, making a beeline for the couch to get out of the way. Whatever was happening between them—lasting or not—he didn’t want to be a hindrance.

  “You can have a drink with us, if you’d like,” Lennon said, drying her hands quickly on the dishtowel and stopping in front of the dining room mirror for a second to fluff her hair and apply a rose lipstick before heading to answer the door.

  He waited to answer, watching her mouth fall open when she eyed Alex standing in the doorway. Dressed in a fitted black miniskirt and gold sleeveless blouse, complete with black stilettos, she looked ready to hit the town. Lennon looked down at her attire, jeans and a fitted baseball tee. Looking back at Alex, she glanced up and down, smiling.

  Alex cleared her throat, and Lennon blushed. “Sorry,” she said, catching her breath. “Come inside. I…uh…you look good.”

  “Thank you,” Alex said, stepping beside her to enter.

  “Do you want to go out?” Lennon asked, looking down again. “I can go change.”

  “No,” Alex said, kissing her before stepping inside. “We can stick around here.”

  Grant waved from the living room, watching the scene unfold.

  “Oh, hi,” Alex called, returning his wave.

  “Since we’re staying in, how about we all have a drink?” Lennon asked, looking from Grant to Alex. Grant waited in silence, wanting to see how Alex would respond.

  For someone who looked so sexed up and ready to party, it surprised him when she smiled good-naturedly. “I’d love that,” she said, laying her purse on the dining room table.

  He’d be the first to admit he’d had his reservations about this woman, but she glided around the room effortlessly as if she’d always belonged there. The thought made him stiffen. It was too much, too soon, even if Lennon didn’t seem fazed by it.

  As he mixed a batch of whiskey sours, he thought back to just a while back when Lennon wouldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, and became a shell of who she was. Looking at her now, he could see that she still hadn’t fully recovered.

  Yet, as Alex fell in step beside Lennon, drying the dishes she washed, he watched with curiosity. He had to wonder how they even tried to pretend they weren’t coupling up. As much as Lennon would deny it, her stubborn nature couldn’t hide the inexplicable way that they were drawn to one another.

  He shook his head, taking a sip of his drink to taste test, thankful that they seemed to have forgotten he was there. He wanted Lennon to be happy. He just hoped this was it, because he’d seen the crash and the fall before, and no one was ready for that storm.

  Chapter Ten

  Awakening to a gentle caress on her neck, followed by Alex’s arms encircling her body, Lennon offered a lazy smile before she even opened her eyes. With Alex’s naked flesh pressing against her own, she leaned back into the embrace. Alex ran her fingers through Lennon’s hair, and although Lennon could hear her talking about how nice it was to touch the curls without reprimand for once, she kept her eyes closed, hoping to wait for conversation until she’d had coffee.

  She couldn’t count how many mornings had started this way since they’d made the decision a few weeks prior to remove the unspoken restrictions between them. But she wasn’t about to complain. Slowly rolling over to face Alex, she smiled up at her, now propped up on one elbow, her brown eyes sparkling in the early morning light.

  “Good morning,” Lennon said, her voice still thick with sleep.

  “Good morning to you,” Alex said, trailing her fingers up and down Lennon’s arm as she inched closer for a kiss.

  Lennon welcomed the kiss, and as their lips met she couldn’t ignore the tension mounting again in her body, but alongside it, the longing to feel Alex’s hand in hers, Alex’s body in her bed, Alex’s laugh throughout her day.

  She pulled back. “I think it’s time for coffee.”

  “Are you sure it’s time right now?” Alex pulled back the covers, displaying her naked body and biting her lip.

  “Mmm-hmmm.” Lennon nodded. They’d spent their share of days tangled up in the sheets already, but she wasn’t going to get caught up in that today, not when her emotions seemed to be challenging their agreement. “Didn’t you say you wanted to go to the beach today and rent kayaks?”

  Alex sat up, her smile an obvious attempt to appear not fazed by Lennon’s quick rebuff. She glanced toward the window and pointed her thumb in the direction of the yard. “You might want to take a look outside before we commit to that.”

  Before Lennon could respond, a clap of thunder boomed, shaking the house. “I guess we need to make other plans?” she asked with a laugh.

  “Looks like it.”

  “Actually…” Lennon looked around the room, mentally taking note of all she needed to do. “I have a bunch of things that I should take care of if I’m not going to be off gallivanting and having a good time.”

  “Who says we can’t gallivant and get things done?” Alex’s playful smile elicited a laugh from Lennon, and she shook her head.

  “Quite the problem solver, aren’t you?”

  Rising from the bed, Alex sauntered over to her side and stood in front of her. “Whatever you have to do, I’m happy to help,” she said, her voice husky with desire, as she leaned in for a slow and lingering kiss. “And then, maybe we can have some fun indoors afterward.”

  Lennon moaned, pulling Alex in for another kiss. “I just can’t fucking resist you,” she whispered through a ragged breath, ignoring Alex’s proposal completely. Clenching her teeth, she called upon on the few remaining strands of her willpower in order to stand, never letting go of her hold on Alex’s soft hands.

  “So I take it you’re in?” Alex asked, shimmying her shoulders.

  “I’m in.” Lennon slipped into a pair of jeans and an Alibis tee and grabbed a blue and gray flannel to throw over it to complete the ensemble. Pulling her hair into a messy pile of curls on top of her head, she nodded to Alex. “Ready when you are.”

  Donning the skirt and tank she’d been wearing the night before, Alex glanced in the mirror briefly and nodded.

  “Hold on,” Lennon said, holding up a finger and rummaging through her closet. “Here.” She tossed a hoodie in Alex’s direction. “It’s a little chilly.”

  Alex laughed as she pulled the garment over her head. “When I was a teenager, giving your hoodie to someone meant something,” she said, popping her head through the top with a grin.

  “Oh, it still does,” Lennon said, nodding. “It means it’s cold and I don’t want you to freeze.” She waited a second and stepped in for another kiss. “It’s also my favorite hoodie, so it means I’m trusting you not to run off with it.”