They sat and rocked for a bit. Among the many muddled questions in her mind, she replayed the conversation over again. “Define ‘act the opposite of married.’”
“No more sex.”
“I figure that part. If the judge doesn’t buy the drunk thing, maybe they’ll care that we didn’t consummate it.” She winked at him.
“Not sure how we’d prove that, but yeah, that’s pretty much what Grady said. No sleepovers, no sex.”
“What about coffee on the front porch?”
“As we are friends, not a couple looking to get married, I think that should be fine.”
“What if we hold hands?”
“Do you always try to push the boundaries?” he turned to her, his rich eyes sparking with an unexpected charm.
She grinned, “Only when I find them annoying.”
“We weren’t planning on anything after the weekend anyway. Not exactly how I’d envisioned the weekend going, but this will ensure that we don’t reverse on the original plan.”
“I suppose. Annoying all the same.” More than annoying, but he was probably right. Already, she wanted to curl up in his lap and tug that shirt off, now that she knew how nice things were underneath.
Draining the last of her coffee, she rose from her seat and offered to take Zane’s empty cup. Needlessly grazing her fingers over his as she took the mug, she let the zing wash over her before heading inside.
Two days. They’d made it two days without speaking to each other. And without kissing each other; that was a first.
This would be no problem. Grady would fix it. Some paperwork, a court appearance, and the whole thing will be erased. Hell, the night was already gone from her memory, now to erase it from the court’s memory.
Pleased with their progress, ignoring the hollow in her gut, she stared at her checking account balance. At this rate, if she continued to sell at her current trajectory, minus anticipated expenses, she’d be broke within the year. To make it, she needed an upsloping income, not just steady.
Time to take it to the next level. She hated marketing. Advertising. Building that brand. Why couldn’t art involve nothing more than painting and sketching and making an occasional appearance in person?
Over the last forty-eight hours, she’d called and emailed three galleries that she had worked with before, and reached an agreement for each to carry two more of her paintings that she had waiting on her porch for the shipper to pick up. She’d dropped in a bonus charcoal for each to consider, a little teaser to demonstrate her range that they may not have been aware of.
She’d taken a few online classes on the business end of things. It wasn’t that she didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t as fun as the actual painting part. But with her brain such a cluster, she wasn’t feeling capable of creativity. Soon, she’d need to, as her stock was waning as fast as her checking account.
Grabbing her iPad from her bedside table, she fired it up, then shut it back off. Not going to be enough. Pulling out her phone, she called Sophie.
She answered on the second ring, “I’m not bringing home pizza again.”
Rolling her eyes, she shook her head, “I didn’t ask. Besides, if I’m going to fit into that slinky dress of yours again, I’ve got to lay off the comfort carbs.”
“I still don’t see how you fit your boobs into any of my tops.”
“Should I be offended here?” Looking down, she rolled her eyes. She loved stealing Sophie’s clothes, and they were definitely a bit snugger in the bust, but, well, play up your assets. Sophie played up those mile-long legs and athletic figure. Freya accented the curves.
“No. I’m jealous. I’ve got nothing, but you’re built. Don’t lose those curves. They’re too pretty. Besides, I catch Zane checking them out often.”
“Not helpful. I’m trying to repel Zane right now.”
“I know you want the annulment, but really? Not even a someday when all this is over, even just for fun?”
“No. My judgment, apparently, is shit around that man. All I can think about is getting him naked, which is why I’m calling.”
“Pretty sure you can walk next door and ask. My assistance is not required.”
She threw her head back and laughed out loud. “No. I mean, I’ve had enough distractions since getting home. And my finances are at risk because of it.”
“I’ll be happy to help; sort of what I do for a living.”
“I know. And I will probably beg to take advantage of you later. But, I actually have a very simple request. Do you have a computer around here somewhere that I can borrow?”
“Sorry. My laptop broke in the move. Never transport it with the charger attached. And never let Pippa carry anything fragile.”
Snorting, Freya pulled a protein bar out of the cupboard and tore into it. See? The man was even distracting her stomach. She’d missed breakfast by a few hours. Swallowing a sticky bite before she’d ground up all the crunchy bits, she choked down a few sharp pieces before responding, “I’d forgotten that tidbit about my endearing cousin. Crap. I think I need to invest in a computer.”
“You could go ask our neighbor. Asher and Zane play online games together sometimes.”
Her throat now hurt from the chunk that may or may not still be wedged back there. “Not as fun as asking him to get naked. But as it’s down to risking my annulment, my career, or my pathetic savings, well, it’s no contest. I’ll head over and beg.” Down on her knees if she had to. Closing her eyes and shaking her head at herself, a wicked grin on her face, Freya indulged in the visual. Imagine
