“By choice, but yes.”
Laney turns to Steven. “Her and that guy from Asheville ended their arrangement a few months ago because he wanted more from her than just sex.”
I scoff. “Gee, thanks for sharing all of my business.”
Laney’s mouth drops open. “I’m sorry, but who are you and what have you done with my best friend today? You’re never this snappy, especially when it comes to sex.”
Laney is right. Most people would describe me as one of the most sexually positive and open people on the planet. Normally, I have no qualms about letting people know that I love experiencing a decent orgasm or two, but the reminder of my ex has put me in a mood—as it’s done far too often these past few months.
Maybe it’s time that I voice it out loud. After all, Laney is my ride or die, and Steven might help by offering a man’s perspective.
“Fine. This whole Motorlux thing approaching has me feeling off-kilter, okay?”
A pinch in Laney’s brow develops. “What? That’s not like you. I mean, I know it’s the biggest car show of your career, but…”
“It’s not the car, Laney. It’s…”
I don’t even have to finish my sentence before the truth hits her, clear in the flash of recognition in her eyes. Her brows relax and her smile softens as she closes the distance between us and wraps her arm around my shoulder. “It’s Vinnie, isn’t it?”
“The nerves of seeing him again are getting to me, I guess.”
Steven grumbles under his breath. “It’s probably a good thing I can’t go with you because if I saw that motherfucker in person, I would definitely break his fucking nose.”
Adoration swells in my chest. “And I love you for that, but hitting him won’t do a damn thing. He’s more of an emotional damage sort of asshole.”
“You can’t let him get to you, Dilynne,” Laney interjects. “You’ve worked so hard for this.”
“I know, and the Porsche will be ready and will make jaws drop, I’m sure of it. But…” I sigh heavily. “I don’t know. Showing up alone just makes me feel more vulnerable. I can already hear the shit he’s going to say, alluding to the fact that everything I know is because of him…”
“And anyone who knows you and has seen you at work knows that’s a lie,” Steven replies.
“Exactly,” Laney agrees.
“You know how it is though, Laney. Unfortunately, this industry is predominantly men, and a single woman breaking through the glass ceiling doesn’t exactly sit well with them.”
“You just threaten their manhood, babe,” Steven adds. “Most of them are probably attracted to you too, which makes their internal struggle even harder. That’s why they can’t handle you. You restore cars better than them and you make their dicks hard.”
Laney laughs. “Thank you so much for that revelation.”
“That’s what I’m here for, right?” Steven tips his drink toward her.
“Ugh, I just hate how much this asshole still affects me. I mean, we broke up five years ago, but…”
Even though I’ve been helping Elliot through his breakup over the past year, I’m not too proud to say there are still moments that bring me back to a dark place when it comes to Vinnie, and Motorlux is one of them.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you as your assistant?” Laney offers. “I know you already told me no, but…”
“And I stand by that. Your priority right now is growing my niece or nephew. If Steven wasn’t going on a trip with his family, he’d be my first pick anyway.”
Laney found out she was pregnant right after her wedding to Fletcher a few weeks ago. It was around the same time that her brother’s girlfriend, Vienna, found out she’s got a bun in the oven as well.
If I’m not careful, the water around here might contaminate me with a baby too. That is, only if my IUD fails, which I know is unlikely, thank God.
ButI’m not naïve to how much energy it takes to grow a human, and the last thing I want my best friend to worry about right now is my mental stability with my ex. She did enough of that back when we broke up, and I’ll never be able to repay her fully.
Laney scoffs. “Wow. Okay, glad to know your honesty filter is coming back.”
I sigh heavily. “I’ll figure it out.”