Operation Foreplay (15 page)

I slipped the phone back into his pocket. He didn’t flinch, whereas Sarah and Caroline stopped in their tracks.

“What was that?” Caroline asked with her eyes all squinty, as if that would help her see something that clearly wasn’t there.

“What?” Jared asked.

“Nothing.” Sarah looked between us as we headed toward Jared’s truck.

“No train?” I asked, hopping into the front seat. “Oh, so you’re like our driver.” I winked.

“Something like that.” He winked back. “I like the shirt you wore yesterday better, though.”

I looked down before remembering my brazen display of lingerie when he picked me up yesterday morning. Was it only yesterday morning? Jesus. I was going to need a calendar to keep track of all the craziness. “Do you now? I’ll have to remember that.”

“What shirt were you wearing?” Caroline peeked her head between the seats.

“It was a button-up. Cute. Had a whole suit thing going on when he picked me up from the station.”

My watch caught the light from the passing streetlights and I stopped for a minute. The gift from Zac suddenly felt heavy and awkward.

“Fuck this.” I unstrapped the watch and rolled down the window.

“What are you doing?” Sarah asked.

“Letting go.” I held up the watch for her to see before tossing it out the window.

“Mel, that was a really expensive watch,” Caroline said.

“So, maybe I need to get rid of some stuff before I can move on.” I glanced at Jared, noticed his smile, and knew I did the right thing.

“We need some music,” I said, changing the subject. I played with the dials on his radio before landing on my new summer song. I turned it up. The girls and I rolled down the windows and sang at the tops of our lungs all the way to the restaurant. We were laughing and out of breath by the time we parked; Jared placed his hand on mine and squeezed before he hopped out of the truck. The touch didn’t go unnoticed and I felt a weird flutter in my chest. I wondered for a moment if I was having a mini heart attack but brushed it off as hunger. I was starving.

We were the first to arrive. The waiter walked us to our table, set for nine.

“Who else is coming?” I asked as the chair was pulled out for me.

“Everyone, I think,” Jared said as he took a seat next to me.

“I know the rest of your party has yet to arrive. Can I start you off with some drinks?”

“Want to go for something fun?” I wiggled my eyebrows at the girls.

“What am I missing?”

“You’ll see, little brother. What were you thinking Mel?”

“I’ll be right back. Let me go talk to the bartender. See how stocked his bar is.”

“Sure, it’s his bar you’re interested in checking out.”

“Hey! It’s the new me. Maybe you girls are right. Maybe giving up sex is just what I need right now.”

Jared spit out his water and began choking on an errant ice cube. “No, no. That’s not a good idea,” he choked out as I patted him on the back.

“No?” I could feel a weight lift off my shoulders. “I think it’s just the right thing for me right now.”

“Nope. Not a good idea.”

“Why not?” Sarah teased. “I say just until your thirtieth birthday.”

“That’s a thought.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Jared held his hands up.

“What?” I smiled.

“Just, well, what if—”

“What if?” Caroline asked, her arms crossed over her chest.

“Nothing.” He looked away.

I laughed and walked to the bar. The waiter followed me back ten minutes later with a tray of pink drinks, a maraschino cherry at the bottom of each glass.

“Ooh! Pink! What’s this?” Caroline asked as the waiter handed her the concoction.

“I’ll let your friend tell you.” He blushed, deposited the rest of the drinks on the table, and left.

I sat, picked up my drink, and raised the glass. “To friends!”

“To friends!” The other three followed suit and drank deeply.

“This is so good! What is it?” Sarah asked, taking another sip.

“Bend Over Shirley.”

“What?” Jared’s eyes widened.

“Welcome to the club, sweets. Are you sure you’re ready to drink with us? I mean really drink with us? I can assure you, we can get quite fucked up. And I need to get quite fucked up.” I ditched the straw and took a big gulp.

“Oh, I’m more than ready. Bring it on!” We clinked glasses.

“That’s what I like to hear.”

“You started without me?” Berk walked in, letting go of David’s hand long enough to give me a hug. “What are you having?”

“Bend Over Shirleys.”

“Well, Shirley isn’t usually my type but I’ll make an exception for tonight.”

“Waiter!” I clapped. “Please, bring us more Shirleys!”

“No problem. How many?”

“The others are outside,” Berk offered.

“So”—I did the calculation in my head—“please bring us five more.”

“Six,” Caroline squeaked through a hiccup.

“Six it is.” The waiter disappeared to round up our drinks.

Berk and David took up seats across the table. It was sweet, I thought, when Berk leaned in and whispered in David’s ear.

“David. You remember Melody. This is Sarah, Caroline, and Sarah’s brother, Jared.”

“Nice to meet you all. Nice to see you again Melody.”

Jared stood, walked around the table, and shook David’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”

I’m pretty sure David licked his lips, and not because they were dry. I couldn’t blame him really. Jared’s dark hair fell just above his eyes and had a natural wave that I envied. His blue eyes were set off nicely by his baby blue dress shirt, rolled up to expose his forearms. Add in the khaki shorts, boat shoes, and a confident, relaxed demeanor and he was swoon-worthy. Not that I swooned. I’d get a lady boner, sure. But never had I ever swooned.

“So what’s new?” Berk asked.

“Melody is abstaining from sex until she turns thirty.”

Jared groaned and dropped his head and Berk spit out his Shirley. “We are going to need more drinks for this story.”

The rest of our party arrived and we played musical chairs to get everyone sitting next to who they were supposed to. I ended up with Danny on my left, Jared on my right.

Berk raised a glass and stood. “I’d like to congratulate a few people here. First, David for closing on that huge penthouse by the park. I knew you could do it.” He paused a moment to plant a juicy kiss on David’s lips. “Next, to Danny. May you find out that Malibu Barbie is real, your new job is as sweet as we all think it is, and we wish you a safe journey to California.”

“Thanks.” Danny stood and bowed.

“Sit down!” Brian yelled and we all laughed.

Berk kept his glass raised. “To Melody. I hope that abstaining from sex doesn’t shrivel up your, um, taco. No one likes shriveled-up tacos. At least that’s what I’m told.”

“No chance. Gotta keep it nice and moist.” I winked.

“Ew. Seriously, ew.” Berk crinkled his face before continuing. “And to the newest member of our group. Jared. Welcome to New Jersey. And good luck tomorrow on your interview with your guaranteed new employer Blackwell and Dardston. Cheers!”

I was shocked. “Blackwell and Dardston?” I whispered. “I thought you were meeting with Waterman tomorrow.”

“I canceled it. We’ll talk about it later.” He reached down and squeezed my knee and I shifted in my seat, suddenly very aware of a minor throb that began between my legs. I told myself to knock it off. I was supposed to be off sex. At least for the night.

I smiled and sipped my drink even though questions swirled in my head. What the hell happened to the other interview? I had gotten used to the fact that I’d probably be working with him and now he wasn’t even going to the interview.

I brushed it off and filed it away. He and I were definitely going to talk about it later. That moment, I reminded myself, was not about me and my quest for answers. It was about my friends. Their wins. Not mine. Not that I had any to brag about.

“Are you ready to order?” Our waiter returned.

“Absofuckinglutely,” Brian said. “I’m starving.”

My stomach growled as soon as food was mentioned.

“So is she.” Both Jared and Sarah said at the same time.

“I’d like to start with the mussels. Fra Diablo. And for dinner”—I flipped through the menu one more time—“I’ll have the grilled vegetables and pasta. Light on the oil, please.” I handed the waiter the menu and sat back as the rest of the table ordered, then I felt a foot hook my ankle. Jared pulled my leg toward him before he unhooked himself and smiled.

The conversation flowed smoothly even though most of us had seen one another the night before. The night Zac dropped his fucking nuke.

Ignoring that particular train of thought, I asked Jared, “How’s your calamari?”

“Not bad. A little chewy.”

“You could do better?” I raised my eyebrow.

“I could. I’ll make it for you.”

“I’d like that,” I said.

By the time we were done, David picked up the bill despite our protests and we all made plans to bar hop for the rest of the night. My stomach hurt and I headed toward the bathroom after promising to meet everyone outside.

A sudden cold sweat hit me and I felt like I was going to throw up. I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on my face. When I could finally stand without my stomach cramping, I walked out to meet everyone.

“Someone take me home.”

“You okay?” Caroline asked.

“My stomach hurts. I feel like I’m going to hurl.”

“I’ll do it,” Jared offered.

“You sure? I can do it.” Danny said. “The train’s only a few blocks from here.”

“Nah. It’s okay. I’ve got my truck here. We’re going to the same place and I’m not really feeling the bar scene tonight.”

“Do you want us to come, too?” Caroline asked me.

“No, you guys go. Have fun. You know what? Jared, you can stay here. I’ll take the train.”

“It’s okay. I’ll take you.” He placed his hand on the small of my back.

I heard Sarah say “thank you” as he steered me toward his truck.

Chapter Eleven

T
he ride home was silent. Between the stomach cramps and the cold sweats, I curled up in the seat. I didn’t notice we were home until Jared opened my door.

“Thanks,” I said as he helped me hop out of his truck.

“Anytime,” he replied as he walked up the steps to the building entrance. “Want me to run to the store and get you some ginger ale or something?”

I rubbed my arms. It was summer but the breeze dropped the temperature. “No, I’m good. But thanks. You can go back if—”

“Nope. I’m good. Wouldn’t be good if I bar hopped anyway.” He jingled his keys. “Designated driver.”

“Oh, right.” I said as he unlocked the door and held it open for me. I made it to the apartment before him so it was my turn to unlock and hold the door.

“So, what do you need me to do? Make you soup?”

“I just want to put on my jammies and curl up in bed and watch a movie. My stomach is calming down a little.”

“Oh, well”—he tossed his keys on the table—“good night, I guess.”

I turned. “You can come watch with me, if you want.”

“In your room? Your bed?”

“Yeah, I guess. We’re adults. I’m sure we can figure out a way to keep our hands to ourselves.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. Just no funny business.”

“Who, me?” He feigned shock. “I’m an innocent party.”

“Yeah, my grandma always said you’re only as innocent as the horns holding up your halo.”

“Your grandma was a smart lady. Do you mind if I make popcorn?”

“As long as you don’t mind if I don’t eat it.”

I went to my room, riffled through DVDs, and settled on a testosterone-filled movie full of awkward moments. I had just finished putting on my favorite summer pajamas when Jared walked in wearing low-slung gray sweatpants.

“Do you ever wear a shirt?” I laughed.

“What?” he asked as he shoved a handful of popcorn in his mouth. I watched some of the pieces fall and glance off his stomach. Lucky popcorn.

“Get over here.” I patted the bed next to me. “No funny business.” I warned.

“Got it. No funny business.”

*  *  *

I woke up with a weird feeling. With my head snuggled against his shoulder, his arm tight around me, and a smile on my face.

For the first time in forever, sleeping with a man took on a new definition. There was no funny business. There was no expectant touching, no furious attempt at ripping clothing to shreds, no jackhammer to my nether region, and, I am happy to report, no unsightly bodily fluids were hardened to my hair.

I’d fallen asleep sometime halfway through the movie and other than a few stray popcorn kernels my sheets were still fresh from the dry cleaner. I listened to Jared breathe steadily, watched as his long eyelashes fluttered, and, as I placed my hand gently on his chest, felt his heart beat calmly. His dark hair fell over his eyes. He was in desperate need of a haircut, at least according to him. A small dusting of chest hair populated his defined chest. And for the first time I noticed a small Chinese character tattoo on his rib cage. I made a mental note to ask him what it meant.