Asking For It - Allyson Lindt Page 0,26

his eyes.

That wasn’t hurt. There was no way it could be.

They’d leave and go enjoy their lives, pretending whatever they wanted about their relationship with each other, and I hoped the next woman enjoyed it as much as I had.

Chapter Twelve

Raindrops slamming against my window woke me about two minutes before my alarm went off. It was gorgeously gray outside. I love the rain, but thank goodness it held off until this morning.

Yesterday lingered in my head as I got ready for the morning. As much as I wanted to file things in a Pleasant Memories folder, and move on, I couldn’t get the highlights out of my head.

I grabbed a sweatshirt that hung low enough to cover my ass, so I could wear leggings. It didn’t matter that it was one of the hottest months of the year—rain meant cool weather, which meant I could be comfortable and hide inside my clothes at the same time.

As I did the morning’s baking, my mind was free to drift to Kingston and Owen. Every time I yanked my thoughts away from them, and tried to ponder anything else, even repeating my favorite recipes, the men meandered their way into my head.

I needed to occupy my mind more intently. I was doing a podcast today with Roxie’s Face For Radio. That would distract me from missing men I barely knew.

If the situation were different, if Owen and Kingston weren’t trying to push me out of this place, I’d go out with them again, if they asked.

Not that they would. Which was good, because I wasn’t a long term girl. Not for guys like them. Once they settled down, they’d end up with trophy wives, probably occasionally help each other jerk off in the hot tub, and attend parties like the one this weekend, but stuffier.

Did I really think that little of them, that they’d live their lives for money and public image?

I had to. Believing anything else was dangerous

I wrapped up my morning baking, chatted with Violet for a bit, and headed out to Roxie’s.

I’d been on her show a few times since Sadie introduced us; it was always a lot of fun, was great promo for Loading Java, and didn’t require me to be on camera. Roxie’s staff animated every episode.

The recording was fun, but when it was over my thoughts were free to drift back to Owen and Kingston.

That needed to stop.

Pouring myself into work for the rest of the day helped, and by the time I climbed into bed, I was exhausted enough I slept hard.

Tuesday morning the guys were still vivid in my thoughts. Seriously, what was up with my brain? I didn’t linger on one-night stands.

Throughout the day, every time I talked to someone, performed a basic task, glazed Danishes, my brain would wonder what kind of commentary one of them would have. Kingston with a joke. Owen with a reasonable observation.

Who did that? Got hot and bothered over a guy who couldn’t take life seriously and one who saw the world through a completely structured lens? Logic wasn’t sexy.

Yes it is.

Sigh.

Wednesday was more of the same, but Roxie’s podcast with me aired that morning, so having it playing in the café gave me a new point of focus.

Distraction didn’t last long, though. If anything, my missing-the-guys feeling was getting more intense, rather than fading.

This was why I should never see a fling more than once. Give me a little attention, and I lapped it up and whined for more like a lovesick puppy.

The rain was back that night, and the white noise of falling water helped soothe my fractured thoughts. I wanted extra comfort this evening, so I pulled on my ultimate wrap-me-up-in-a-hug outfit. It was a kitten onesie Sadie gave me for my birthday. She made it herself, which meant it fit perfectly, and was super soft and comfortable.

My phone rang and I glanced at it. Only friends got to talk to me this late.

Owen’s name flashed on the screen.

I swore my heart started panting.

Send him to voicemail—that was the only answer.

I grabbed the phone and hit Answer. “This is Lyn.”

“Can I call you Lyn? Are we friends now?” His voice was huskier than normal, like he was tired. Which must be why he was more playful than I was used to.

I let out an exaggerated sigh. “I guess I’ll allow it tonight.” It was easy to keep the teasing in my voice—I was so much happier to hear from him than I should be.