“You mean the truth?”
“Allegedly,” I mutter.
She fluffs her gray curls. “I find the alternative hard to believe. You can’t keep your hands off this girl, quite literally.”
“I was thanking him for dinner,” Audria defends.
Dottie’s eyes expand. “Oh, is that how you offer gratitude? Perhaps you’re a perfect match for one another, after all.”
I grind my molars. “Do you need something, Mrs. Mayberry?”
She graces us with another award-winning grin. “I just wanted to wish the happy couple my congratulations.”
I offer a noncommittal shrug. “Sounds like you need to check those sources.”
“Or perhaps you two need a better cover story, especially if you plan to keep this nonexistent affair under wraps.” She wiggles her bony fingers at us. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
I glare at Dottie’s retreating form before piercing Audria with laser focus. “So, we’re just friends?”
“With some added benefits?” A wince pinches her features.
I exhale my misguided animosity. She doesn’t need to deal with a foul mood after surviving Mrs. Mayberry’s inquisition. “You realize that’s every man’s fantasy.”
“You’re welcome.” Her tone is thick with hesitation.
This should come as no surprise after her speech the other day. She’s pretty much offering me a buffet of casual sex. All I can eat until she leaves Bam? Who am I to say no?
Her announcement might’ve caused me a brief lapse in judgment solely due to the intended purpose. Is she afraid of falling or warning me not to? I’m well aware of the limitations and am perfectly content to abide by them. Her meaning is evident. I can play along until we’re done. I see no reason to add mixed signals to the pot.
Audria’s brow furrows as she quietly stares at me. “Is everything okay with this?” She motions between us.
The question is innocent enough, and I’m quick to answer. I’m going to take a fucking hint and follow her lead. “We couldn’t be better, babe.”
When the flash of headlights sweeps across my front window, I stride to the door and head outside. My footsteps falter as I spot the unfamiliar truck in my driveway. I almost turn tail and hurry back inside until the driver’s face comes into view. A smile crosses my lips, and I resume a lazy stroll toward the pickup.
It seems Reeve is surprising me once again. I get in the passenger side and buckle up. Once I’m settled, I turn to my chauffeur. “What’re you doing here, Gavin?”
He gives me a wave fit for a parade before backing onto the road. “Giving my best gal pal a ride, of course. Aren’t you happy to see me?”
“Yeah, duh. I was just expecting someone else.” I quirk a sly brow at him.
Mock sympathy wafts from him as he pats my shoulder. “You’re stuck with the consolation prize for now. Our boy got held up at work. He sent me to fetch you.”
I choke on my saliva. “Like a dog fetching a newspaper?”
Gavin scoffs, the sound suggesting my question is ludicrous. “More like his most prized possession.”
“I’m not sure that’s any better.” Or that I believe him.
It’s only been a bit over a week since we ate at Spangled Grub, but I feel a shift with Reeve. I thought it was so clever to use the term “friends with benefits” to describe what we’re doing. How cheap does that sound? Leaving well enough alone is proving not to be in my wheelhouse.
Even so, I can’t seem to stop blaming Dorothy Mayberry for initiating this strain between us. That’s ridiculous and misplaced, of course. But our last date was all fine and dandy until she showed up. That’s the trouble with busy bees, I suppose. Her entire purpose is to stir up mischief. I groan internally. There I go again, unfairly shoving responsibility in her lap.
A change of topic is mandatory. I squint at the roof, which leads me to the empty back seat. “Where’s Bea?”
He taps a thumb on the steering wheel. “Your guess is as good as mine. Last I heard, she was busy.”
I twist my lips at that. Come to think of it, she acted a tad distant when I asked about her plans tonight. “Interesting.”
Gavin exhales a puff of air. “Eh, she’s probably on a date.”
I whip my head to face him. “Doesn’t that bother you?”
He shrugs. “Why would it?”
“I thought you two were an item,” I hint.
He barks a sharp laugh. “Not in the least. We hang out when it’s convenient, thanks to you. That’s all there is to it.”
“Huh,” I murmur. “Well, that sucks.”
“Not really.” His tone lacks interest.
“If you say so.”
“Don’t concern yourself with my dating life, Princess Consuela. Speaking of, how’s your relationship?” He shoots me three rapid winks.
I rake my fingers through my hair, tugging at the roots. “Or lack thereof.”
Gavin pins me with a bland expression. “Nice try, but you can’t bullshit me.”
“Things are fine,” I hedge.
“Elaborate, please.” He circles his wrist, motioning me on.
I blow out a heavy breath. How much should I reveal? Sharing private details makes me queasy. The thought of trusting him with my darkest desires raises bile in my throat. His proposed topic for social hour isn’t happening. He’s Reeve’s best friend, after all.
“We get along well. I’m enjoying his company,” I state dumbly.
“Wow, that’s almost too erotic for my ears.” He claps a palm to one for visual effect.
“Very funny.” But I find myself laughing at the sour expression on his face.
Gavin’s upper lip curls higher. “I’m serious. You’re a filthy animal. How do you sleep at night?”
I stick out a hand to inspect my nails, feigning boredom. “Very well, thank you for asking.”
“It’s probably due to the added physical exertion in your daily routine. Are you guys compatible between the sheets?” He forms a loop with his finger and slides it down my extended pointer.
I giggle, dodging out of his reach. “That’s awfully personal, you perv.”
“Don’t be secretive. I’ve known Reeve my entire life. We have no boundaries between us.”
“But we just met in June.”
“Split
