Six - K.I. Lynn Page 0,3

touch?”

I shrugged. “Occasionally.”

If phone sex about a month ago and a midnight hookup four months ago on his way through town counted. After being together for almost three years, it still stunned me that we were over. He got an offer with the Dallas Cowboys’ marketing team and two weeks later, he was gone.

Then again, I did nothing to follow him. We talked about it, he even proposed, but I couldn’t commit to it…to him. A mindset that’d kept me down for a year. An almost perfect guy, one who loved me, and I let him go.

“There’s someone out there for you, but you can’t lock yourself inside all the time. Get out, enjoy the world. You only live once.”

I leaned forward, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. “Thank you. I’ll try.”

An hour later, our group’s attendance hit the unlucky number thirteen. Micah’s voice was growing louder with each drink. His hands had already run Sandra off to hide behind Damon, who was in a surprisingly good mood and on his third beer. Dr. Mitchell was deep in conversation with Dr. Alma, as we affectionately called her. It was mainly due to the length of her hyphenated last name.

The glass in front of me was empty, putting me in desperate need of another if I was going to make it through another hour. Up at the bar, I found an empty seat in the now bustling establishment, and waited for the bartender to come my way.

When I had my new drink in hand, I didn’t head back to the table. Instead, I sat, checking the time on my phone along with my social media notifications. Of which I had none. Where were all my friends?

Looking through my timeline, which was filled with tons of Valentine’s Day pics from a few days before, there were updates from friends I hadn’t seen in years.

Kristi Kallam: Counting down the days until spring break. >.<

Teachers needed vacation, too.

Massy Reyes: Margarita time!!

Complete with a photo of a huge green filled glass the size of a fish bowl.

Marissa Wade: Loving this cool Arizona weather! Hike, here I come.

Cute selfie with the Arizona landscape behind her.

All three of them were friends of mine in school. After college, we split off to different parts of the country. Since then, most of our contact was via the Internet and the occasional birthday or holiday call or text.

I missed them, but moving apart was the sad drawback of growing up. I’d made a few friends around Cincinnati, but they weren’t people I hung out with a lot. Add to that how my best friend was busy with two-month-old twins and that I had no man in my life, a homebody was born.

“Anyone sitting here?”

I looked up from my phone, and almost choked on the sip I just took as I saw the man before me. He was the cliché of tall, dark, and handsome—not the usual guy I attracted.

Not entirely true—Digby was tall, blond, and handsome.

“You.” The word popped out of my mouth, proving I’d reached the happy drunk stage. Marcy did remind me earlier of my loose lips when drinking.

His blue eyes sparkled, and his mouth drew up into a smirk. The sharp angle of his jaw was accentuated by what appeared to be a few days’ worth of stubble. His black suit was not off the rack, and his dark brown hair was longer and grab worthy.

“Simon.”

He held out his hand, and I slipped mine in. It was rougher than I expected for a man in a tailored suit. Heat flooded my cheeks as I thought of him touching me all over. Rough, strong hands…

“Paisley.”

He set his drink down, ordering another round for both of us, despite both of our glasses still being half full. Then again, they could be half empty, and he was just anticipating their imminent demise.

“What brings you here?” He took a sip of his vodka and tonic, lips pursed together as he swallowed.

The bob of his Adam’s apple caught my eye, and a strong desire to lean forward and lick it took hold.

Months and months with nothing but silicone between my thighs, coupled with the booze and the front zip dress, and I was a tipsy hussy ready to spread my legs for him. Apparently, I wanted to jump the first real cock that showed the slightest bit of interest.

Which is exactly what gets you into trouble.

Then again, it could just be that he was very good looking and seemed interested in having