Operation Foreplay (16 page)

I had to admit, I liked being with him more than I imagined I would. I looked forward to spending time with him. It was new. I liked the feeling.

I had to shimmy my way out from under Jared’s arm. He barely moved, let out a light snore, then rolled over and hugged my pillow. It was nice watching him sleep for a few minutes before I padded barefoot to the kitchen to make coffee. While waiting for it to brew, I pulled my phone out of the drawer. I had a bunch of texts from Sarah, Caroline, Berk, and Danny, all making sure I was okay.

I shot off responses to everyone letting them know I was alive and well, assured Caroline and Sarah that I’d be at the noon spin class, confirmed dinner plans with Danny, and sent Berk a picture of my boobs. At least he’d get a laugh out of it.

Checking the clock, I saw that it was only a little past six, so I decided to pour my coffee in a to-go cup and head to the bakery for some fresh bagels. Hopefully spin class would melt away the carbs later.

Sneaking into my room, I quickly grabbed a pair of shorts, a tank, and my flip-flops. As I was making my way out the door, I froze when I heard Jared talking in his sleep.

“No good. No good.”

I giggled and stepped closer.

“Mels. No good. Don’t go.”

Mels?
Was he talking about me?

“Melody wait.”

He was talking about me. Feeling awkward about intruding on his subconscious, I backed out of the room but not before he rolled onto his back, complete with a saluting soldier, and mumbled, “See you naked.”

*  *  *

I met the girls a little before noon in the locker room at the gym. I was last to arrive, as usual.

“Hey. How are you doing?” Caroline asked.

“I’m fine.” I shoved my bag in a locker. “I’m good, really. I don’t know what the hell I ate or drank but my stomach was rough last night. It calmed down mostly by the time we got home.” As I leaned down to tie my shoe, I noticed Sarah’s tapping foot. “What?”

“We?” Sarah asked.

“Yeah, we. You placed your brother in my apartment when you were infested with rodents and roaches.”

She held her hands up. “Just clarifying.”

“No clarification needed,” I snapped and then realized I’d become protective of the times Jared and I spent together.

“Well,” Caroline began, “how are you doing with the whole Zac thing?”

“Look, you guys were right. Zac and I aren’t meant to be together, no matter how badly I wanted it. And to be honest, looking at it from this side of the glass, being with him kept me stagnant. It’s surreal.”

“Good for you,” Caroline said, but she didn’t sound convinced.

“No, really. From now on, I’m going to start looking at things differently. Not saying I want to look for a relationship but I think”—I took off my shirt and reapplied my deodorant—“I’m not going to actively hide from one either.”

“Really?” Sarah shut the locker door and eyed me.

The two of them stared at me, so I continued, “I just think that maybe I should finally try out your foreplay idea. Maybe go out on some dates that don’t end in sex. Maybe hold off, you know, slow simmer and all. I can save that for the second date, if there is one.”

“You honestly can’t hold off until you turn thirty?” Sarah asked. “It’s less than a month away.”

“Of course I
can
—”

“Then do it,” Caroline piped up.

“Why would I?”

“Because we don’t think you can.”

“Are you double dog daring me to abstain from sex?”

“Triple dog dare. Berk doesn’t think you can do it either.” Caroline showed me her phone. She’d been text messaging with Berk during the conversation, giving him the blow by blow.

“A month?” I asked.

“About that,” Sarah answered.

“What do I get if I do this?”

“A libido recharge?”

I chewed my lip for a moment. “Eh. I’ll take it.”

I winked and skipped—yes skipped—out of the locker room, but not before I heard Sarah whisper to Caroline, “I think she hit her head.”

“Which one?” Caroline replied.

Warden Suzy was our spin class instructor and was in rare form that afternoon.

“Remember, ladies, good things come to those who get their asses on a bike and fucking earn them. I’m going to make you ride so hard you’ll be dizzy by the time I’m done with you.”

“Sounds like last night with Drew,” I heard Sarah snicker.

“Still playing tie me up, tie me down with your boy toy?” I asked during the warm-up.

“Of course. But”—she began to breathe harder—“he keeps mentioning how much more convenient it would be if we shared a space.”

“Shared a space?” Caroline asked.

“His words, not mine.”

“So.” I changed gears as the Warden yelled. “He wants you two to live together?”

“It’s too soon. Right? Too soon?” Sarah looked between Caroline and me.

“If you have time to talk you have time to kick it up a notch!” Suzy screamed over the bumping bass. I swear, if she turned the music up any louder, I was going to need earplugs.

“Brian and I moved in together and we’ve been together less time that you and Drew.”

“But Drew and I really aren’t serious.”

“Does he know that?” I asked. My legs were starting to burn.

“Probably not.”

“I say go for it. Then give your brother the apartment so he can get the hell out of mine.”

“I don’t think it’s as bad as you want us to think it is.” Caroline giggled as the class amped up.

“He’s been there for what? Five days? What’s another couple? Not saying I’d throw him out of bed for eating crackers”—
or popcorn,
I thought—“but I’m not used to sharing space.”

“About that,” Sarah began, then took a long swig of water, “it might be a little longer. Seems there’s a bigger infestation in the building.”

“How much longer?”

“No idea.”

My response was cut off by Warden Suzy. “Ladies, if you want to chat, go make a lunch date. If you want to melt away your fat asses, shut the hell up and fucking spin!”

*  *  *

Later that night I called my parents while Jared was in the shower.

“Hey, Dad.” I grabbed a slice of pizza from the fridge and poured a glass of red.

“Melly! How you doing kiddo?”

“I’m good, Dad. How’s the beach?” I said with a mouthful of sausage and cheese.

“Perfect as usual. When are you coming to visit?”

“I have to work, Dad.”

“Right. Well, okay. We’d love to see you.”

“I know. I’m just so busy.” I gave my usual excuse but felt a pit in my stomach that hadn’t been there before.

“You’re a successful woman, Mel. I get it.” I could hear the disappointment in his voice. “Well, your mom wants to talk to you. Take care of yourself and don’t work too hard, sweetie.”

“Thanks, Dad. I love you.”

“Love you, too Here’s your mom.”

“Melly! It’s been so long since I’ve talked to you.”

“We talked last week, Mom.”

“When are you coming down here?”

“Mom, I’m—”

“Busy. Yes, I know. I’m busy, too. Just yesterday I had lunch with Martha and tonight I have a meeting with my book club. See, busy. But
I
make time.”

“Lunch with your friends is hardly—”

“Mel! Where’s the shaving cream?” Jared interrupted.

“Who was that?” I cursed my mom’s excellent hearing.

“No one.”

“Mel! Seriously.” I heard cabinets slamming. “Did you use all my shaving cream?”

“Is that a man?”

“Yes, Mom, it’s a man.”

Jared walked in with a towel wrapped around his waist. “Mel.” He stood close and I could smell how clean he was and it clouded my head. I hated that he knew how he affected me.

I placed my hand over my phone and said, “My mom is on the phone and she can hear you.”

“So?” he whispered back.

“So she’s going to think you’re my boyfriend.”

“God forbid.” He rolled his eyes. “Where’s the shaving cream?”

“In the bag.” I pointed to the bag hanging on the closest doorknob.

“Thanks.” He leaned down and kissed my cheek.

“Sorry, Mom.”

“Melody, who is that man in your apartment?”

“Jared? Sarah’s brother. He’s just staying here for a bit.”

“I taught you better than that, Melody. When are you going to grow up and realize you can’t have random—”

“Jared isn’t random.” I cringed as Jared looked over at me.

“Then what is he? Your boyfriend?”

I took a deep breath. “Yes, Mom, he’s my boyfriend.” I held the phone away from my ear as my mom yelled her hallelujahs. Jared crossed his arms over his chest and smiled.

“What are you smiling at?” I asked. He really did have pretty eyes. And long lashes. And a tiny dimple that appeared only when he smirked. I wanted to lick that dimple.

“Nothing.”

“Yes, Mom. He’s a nice guy. Tell Dad he is nice. We can’t, Mom. We are busy, he has to work, I have to work. I can’t just forget everything and come down.” I dropped my head to the counter and banged it a few times. “Come on, Mom. Yes, I promise you’ll meet him. No, I wasn’t keeping him a secret.”

Jared walked over and took the phone from me. “Hi, Mrs. Ashford. Yes, this is Jared. Nice to finally speak to you, too. I’ve heard so much about you.” He tweaked my nose. “Of course! Melly and I would
love
to come down and see you. I would love to meet you. Sounds perfect. Yes. I can’t wait either. I’ll tell her. Thank you so much. See you Wednesday. Bye.”

He handed my phone back to me and I stared at him, open-mouthed.

“Wednesday?” I asked.

“We’re going to see your parents on Wednesday and will stay for a few days.”

“So you’re offering to pretend you’re my boyfriend so I don’t have to deal with my mother nagging me all week?”

“That depends. Do I get to hold your hand?” He clasped my hand in his.

“Well, yeah. I guess.”

“Do I get to grab your ass?” His hand slipped around me as he patted my behind.

“In front of my parents?”

“You’re right. Um”—he looked like he was enjoying the idea entirely too much—“do we get to kiss?” He pulled me in close. He smelled like my lavender shampoo and peppermint gum. Our lips were barely an inch apart. My heart felt like it would pound out of my chest.

“I, uh, I really hadn’t—”

“Well, think about it now.” His voice was deeper than I’d heard it before. The kind of deep that sent a woman’s stomach into a flurry, turned her knees to jelly, and made her brain go fuzzy. The kind of voice that dropped panties, commanded attention, and induced orgasms. And it made me want to hand over control.

“I guess a boyfriend and girlfriend would kiss.” I couldn’t breathe.

“Good. Looking forward to it.” He released me and clapped his hand over my shoulder before he walked back to the bathroom to shave.

Jerk.

“You’re welcome.” He yelled from down the hall.

I guess we were going to visit my parents.

Chapter Twelve

I
woke up Monday morning ready to face the day. I needed to find myself, who I wanted to be. The self-confidence I owned was no façade. It was something I held in spades. But as thirty approached, I thought a new outlook was necessary. And it pained me to realize Sarah and Caroline were right. I needed a new hobby. Life as a bed-hopping bunny was probably not going to be a good look forever. And besides, I needed to get my head straight for the impromptu mini trip to the beach Jared had planned with my mother.

I arrived at my office earlier than usual since I skipped my morning workout. Of course, my ass would revolt but sometimes a girl needs a day off. Jenny was filling my drawer with protein bars and water when I arrived.

“Morning. You’re back.”

“I’m back.”

“So what happened with the boyfriend? I notice you’re not screaming for me to look at your ring. Things not go as planned?” I eyed her as I placed my bags on the chair.

Jenny plopped in the chair across from my desk. “No. No ring. No nothing.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“I broke up with him.”

“Because he didn’t propose?” I settled into my chair and leaned back.

“That and a lot of things. He thinks we grew apart. I feel like he’s being unfair.”

I rummaged around my drawer and pulled out my stash of French chocolate. Handing her a piece, I said, “I’m really sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do?”

“You can put in a good word for me with Waterman.”