Her husband takes a sip from his wine goblet and grins at Charlie. “You really made a mess this time, didn’t you?”
Charlie’s finally gotten ahold of himself. “I swear, it didn’t cross my mind.”
“Wow, you’re an idiot.” Evan Donovan, former football star turned offensive coordinator, shakes his head. Next to him, Penelope, his pretty brunette wife, laughs.
“Didn’t cross your mind?” I yell the words, because everyone is expecting a scene, and I’m going to give it to them. “Look at her!”
Charlie glances around the room like he’s searching for a rescue. “I’m aware of what she looks like.”
“Because you’ve seen her naked.” I let the indignation ring in my voice.
“Well, yeah, but not for a long time.” He rubs the back of his neck.
I affix my most menacing glare onto my face. “Could you identify her in a police lineup?”
Charlie shrugs at James as though apologizing before turning back to me. “I’m guessing blindfolded isn’t the answer you’re hoping for here.”
Every male in the room lets out an audible groan.
I cluck my tongue. “Charlie, Charlie, Charlie, what am I going to do with you?”
Gracie presses her fingertip to her lips like she’s trying to contain her laughter.
Charlie opens his mouth to speak, but Mitch cuts him off from the end of the table. “Bro, I think you should be quiet.”
“Yes, he should.” I put a hand on the table and say to the woman across from me, “I’m sorry. This isn’t your fault. I see you’re all happily married, but it’s the principle, you know?”
“Oh, I know.” She grins at Charlie. “He deserves every second of the hell you put him through.”
“Hey! You barely know her.” Charlie’s voice is brimming with irritation. “Your loyalty should be to me.”
I scoff. “Just because you’ve had your dick in her doesn’t mean she owes you loyalty.”
Charlie growls, shaking his head up at the ceiling, arms crossed over his chest. “You could have just asked me, Jessica.”
“True, but I thought this way was more inventive and fun.” I deliver the quip as satisfaction settles in my chest. This is going even better than I hoped for.
“She’s not wrong,” Evan chimes in. “This is way more fun than a private conversation between the two of you.”
Shane laughs. “How the mighty have fallen.”
Sure, I could have gone for more direct communication, but Charlie needs more challenge than that. I’ve got to keep things interesting.
Which is why he’s lucky enough to have met me.
Someone up there must have really been looking out for him.
I study my manicured nails. “Are you impressed with my patience?”
Charlie’s teeth are grinding. “Maybe we should go talk about this outside.”
“But why?” I give him my sweetest and most innocent expression. “Since everyone knows all about it, this will ensure we’re on the same page and there are no more pesky secrets floating around out there waiting to be uncovered.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” The poor guy is actually sweating, and I have to say, I’m here for it. “It was forever ago.”
I flash a smile at Gracie. “Does this mean we can’t talk about sex?”
“No,” says James and Charlie say in unision.