I hate this.
Tinsley looks down at her Apple watch. “It’s after eleven. I need to go. I have an early morning, and then it’s working the afternoon away at Landon’s.”
She tries to put some money on the table, but I wave her off. “Don’t worry about it. I have it.”
“It’s not worth the fight,” Claire says. “His stupid caveman pride requires him to buy.”
I frown at my sister. “It’s a business expense. I’m putting it on my company card.”
After Tinsley departs, Claire turns to me. “If you fucking sleep with her, I will cut your balls off. Don’t even think of going there.”
Leave it to my sister to play along all night, knowing full well what’s going on. “We’re friends,” I tell her. “Nothing more. In fact, we’re meeting in the morning to visit the Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market before she comes over and codes. And to be clear, I don’t have girlfriends in my apartment—you know that. And I will add that she works at the kitchen table, and I work in my office. No comingling.”
She crosses her arms and studies me. “Peter Landon Walsh, Tinsley and her team are a good addition. Please leave her alone.”
I nod. “I’ll tell you, I didn’t like Tomas at all. I think it’s no secret Tinsley sold her idea, and he wants her to invest in his stupid water purifier.”
She sips her decaf coffee. “I agree. He won’t be the first who comes sniffing for her money. We’ll need to broach that subject carefully. But she doesn’t like Nick? She’s never met him.”
While Claire can read the way I’m feeling better than I can, it’s like she’s in a blacked-out cave when it comes to herself. “Baby sister, you’re not excited about this guy. And Tinsley pointed out something today when she told me she was inviting Tomas along.”
Claire sits forward.
“He hasn’t Googled you.”
She sighs. “I find it incredibly refreshing. I want a guy to like me for me, not our balance sheet.”
“I agree, but if he were interested, he would look you up.”
“I deserve a nice guy,” Claire cries.
“I know. Of everyone I know, you do. But I don’t think Nick is it.”
A little while later, I’m back home and watching the ceiling, hoping the sandman will come for a visit. Too many things are running through my brain. It’s like a never-ending stream of consciousness, a loop on repeat. My conversation with Claire keeps bouncing around in my head, and I can’t get Tinsley out of my mind. I want to talk to her. I know I’ll see her in only a few hours, but I want to talk to her now. Because it’s so late, I text her.
I type out a message. Claire lectured me about you tonight.
I erase it. That will only upset her.
Claire saw right through me tonight. I think she picks you over me.
No, that’s not right. She might think Claire will never buy into us getting together.
Claire and I think Tomas is after your money.
That’s a bad text to send. That’s a conversation for Claire and me to have with her together.
I think about what I want to say. I realize I just want to talk to her.
Me: Hey.
I wait.
Tinsley: Hey back. Did you get a lecture from Claire after I left?
Me: How did you know?
Tinsley: She’s not stupid. I saw the looks. What did she say?
Me: That she’d cut my balls off if I had my way with you.
Tinsley: So, I take it you didn’t tell her we fucked in the coatroom at the bar the night before the sale.
Me: No. And I didn’t tell her I want to do it again and again.
Tinsley: You’re very bad.
Me: I have a feeling you like it when I’m bad.
Chapter 8
Tinsley
My fingers hover over the keys. We’re supposed to be friends for the next six months. I’m standing atop a slippery slope, but maybe we could just walk down it.
Me: What do you think is bad? Sex with a woman you just met in a coatroom?
Landon: That’s not bad, maybe a little naughty, but I like naughty.
Me: Okay then, what makes you a bad boy?
I hit send on that too quickly. I groan. No dots are rotating. Did I go too far? I can’t help myself.
Me: Stop trying to talk yourself out of telling me and spill.
Landon: I like being in charge.
I think all the blood in my body just went straight between my legs.
Me: What else do you like?
No response. I pushed too hard. I type Goodnight, and my finger hovers over the send button. Then I see the dots.
Landon: You.
I quickly erase the Goodnight and respond.
Me: Tell me what you’d like from me.
Landon: You kneeling before me with my cock in your mouth and your hands behind your back.
Landon: You with your arms tied down and your legs open—my tongue buried in your pussy, making you come multiple times.
Landon: You on all fours with me pounding you from behind and Bob massaging your clit and my balls.
Landon: I can keep going…
My heart is racing, and I’m very wet.
Me: I think Bob and I are going to be busy tonight.
Landon: Is watching a violation of our six-month rule?
I read and reread his question. If he offers to come over, I’m not sure I can say no. I need to think with my brain and not my vagina.
Me: It’s probably not a good idea.
Landon: You’re not saying no. Your turn. What
