“Don’t even try pretending that we’re not discussing Saturday night, and probably Sunday morning, at great length.” She holds up both hands, putting a few feet of space between them. I release a loud snort at her humorous generosity. Yeah, in his dreams.
I twirl a curled tendril of hair around my finger. “Um, nice try.”
“Give me the dirt or I’ll march my ass to Iron Throttle. Getting the truth from the other guilty party shouldn’t be too difficult.”
Her bluff rolls off my bouncing shoulders. “As if you would.”
She crosses her arms. “Is that a dare?”
I hold my breath while studying the fierce lines of her expression. There’s no flush or twitching nose in sight. Shit. “There’s no way Crawford will spill the beans. He’s antisocial and broody on a good day.”
For once, I’m glad he’s separated himself from society. My salacious acts can be buried in a restful peace with him out there. A frown tugs on my lips. I might miss that hussy.
A sparkling gleam shines in Josey’s eyes. “Ah, I knew it! You totally bumped uglies.”
I cross my arms. “What part of that speech alluded to sex?”
“Oh, please. This isn’t ninth-grade gossip. You went home with him. I’d have to be pretty gullible to believe that you only invited him inside to watch the evening news.”
“If it’s written on the ceiling…” I trail off.
She huffs. “It’s not, and I’m not going to double check until you leave.”
“It was a really great film.”
“Of your own making.”
I feel my cheeks go up in flames. “Definitely not.”
“Yeah, I can’t see Ford doing that either.”
That reminds me of something. “Why didn’t I know that you grew up with him?”
She circles the rim of her cup. “Figured it was obvious.”
“Not to me.”
Josey winks. “Is the big city girl still acclimating to small-town living? My high school had three hundred kids total. It’s safe to assume I’m well acquainted with anyone our age.”
I cluck my tongue. “Noted.”
“All right, no more diversions. How was Ford in the sack?” She bobs her eyebrows.
I glance behind me, scanning the surrounding area for eavesdroppers. “Josephine! I’m resisting telling even you. Do you think that means I want all of Silo Springs to hear?”
She makes a show of checking for bending ears. “I doubt anyone is listening.”
“That’s what you always say. Then, during my next spree at Springs Market, the entire rumor mill is whispering and pointing. The gaggle gals don’t play.” I point at her, infusing as much accusation into my finger as possible.
Josey leans forward and bites at me. “You’re paranoid. And if they’re talking about you, take it as a compliment. You’re spicy news, especially after a romp with the town’s reclusive bad boy.”
I groan. “No. No, no, no. The last thing I want is for a bunch of strangers to be making assumptions about my personal business. This is precisely why I didn’t want to go out dancing in the first place.”
“You had fun. Don’t bother denying it.”
I let my eyes slide shut, inhaling the rich aroma of freshly ground beans and melting chocolate mixed with spun sugar. A shiver runs through me from the scent alone. After clearing my vision, physically and emotionally, I stare at my best friend. This woman is the closest thing I have to a sister. Other than Millie, she’s my only family. “Okay, I surrender. That night is going down as one of the best in all of history.”
Josey squeaks. “Oh. My. Gah! I totally called it. In my mind, of course. Tell me everything. Right this moment. I need to live vicariously.”
“He, uh, brought out this animal inside of me. We stayed up until four o’clock in the morning. It was freaking wild.” A familiar buzz tickles across my limbs. I cross my legs, only to let them fall open a moment later.
She scoots closer, edging toward me to whisper. “Did you love it?”
I feel the blush bloom in my cheeks. “Um, maybe?”
“Don’t be shy, Keke.”
“Okay, yes. I’ve been replaying every filthy moment since he left.”
Josey motions me on, spinning her wrist in rapid circles. “I need more. Talk dirty to me, Keke.”
And I do. I spill all the spine-tingling, toe-curling details. Well, only to the extent that keeps my dignity intact. She doesn’t really want to hear about me being bent over in half while taking a very solid eight inches from behind.
Josey smacks the table. “Holy shit. My bestie likes it rough. You’re a crazy sex fiend. I love it.”
I’m certain my face is redder than a ripe tomato. The burn has me tilting my chin down. “Shhh, keep your voice down. And this was completely spontaneous and out of my comfort zone. I just needed to get that experience out of my system. I’m done and regulated and back to plain vanilla now. No more insane sexcapades.”
“Yeah, okay. I’m more likely to believe you just held hands while playing Scrabble.”
“For real, Joe. One and done. I’m a mother and need to be responsible.”
“You’re also a woman. Just because you have a daughter doesn’t mean your needs vanish. Don’t be ashamed of your sexual appetite or preferences. Sounds like Crawford opened your eyes.”
“Did he ever,” I mumble.
She claps a hand over her gaping mouth. “You naughty girl.”
“Oh, hush. It’s nothing that bad.”
“Yet,” she adds.
I shake my head. “We won’t be having a repeat.”
She scoffs. “There’s no way you can ignore this sort of ravishing chemistry.”
“Yes, I mostly certainly can. We agreed. But even if we didn’t, Ford turned into a massive dick after his balls were empty. I don’t need his kind of attitude.”
“The ridiculously great in bed kind? Knock your socks off each night? Delivering fantasies at your command?”
“Ah, not exactly. More like he doesn’t get his way and acts out worse than a spoiled toddler.”
“So, what did he want that you didn’t give?”
“I don’t even know anymore. We had a big fight. I’m moving past it.”
“Did you erect a wall without giving him a fighting chance?”
“No.” I roll my eyes toward the wall.
Her lips
