Nash Brothers Box Set - Carrie Aarons Page 0,285

dry as the Sahara. Damn, if I had to go that long without sex … jeez, I went about a year and it almost killed me.”

“You don’t want to know how long I went, then,” Lily mumbled. “Though that situation has more than rectified itself.”

“We know, you have a baby.” Presley eyes her sister-in-law, but I don’t miss the edge of envy in her eyes.

It’s not the time to touch on that, though I store it in the back of my brain for later. Maybe when we’re not halfway down the bottle.

“So, you said you technically went on an actual date?” she presses me.

I sigh, knowing I shouldn’t have let my big mouth blab, but also glad I can talk to them about this. They all know Fletcher more than anyone and are also three amazing women. I’m terrified that I feel such a strong connection with Fletcher … and that I’ve technically broken my vow to myself.

“Yes, he took me to see his barn. So we … hung out there and things escalated. And then two days ago, he took me to his favorite Amish country market.”

“Ah, he got you with those apple turnovers, didn’t he? What a great move. I’d sleep with someone if they bought me one of those heavenly pastries.” Penelope tips her beer, seeming to compliment Fletcher.

That makes me chuckle. “It’s like a food orgasm. Anyways, the date was … good. Really good. But, I swore I wouldn’t date anyone. At least not in the near future. And by near future, I meant forever.”

Lily shrugs. “So? You like each other, you have chemistry. You should follow your heart.”

“Says the girl who waited for a man for ten years. You’re such a romantic, Lil,” Penelope teases her best friend.

Lily rolls her eyes. “All I’m saying is … life is short. And if you feel something for a person, you should go for it.”

“That’s my problem, though. Always has been. I jump into relationships and then spend years of my life with the wrong person because I think I have a feeling. Feelings are bullshit.”

“Nahhh. Feelings are everything.” Presley smiles at me. “You knew me before I met Keaton. I couldn’t make a decision about anything. If a guy even mentioned commitment, I was bolting in the other direction so fast, he couldn’t even finish his sentence before I was gone. But, then I met the sexy vet … and it was all over. I just … knew.”

“That’s what everyone says. All married people throw out that bullshit line like us single gals are supposed to understand what that means.”

“It’s true, though.” Lily nods sagely.

“And I can attest that, sometimes, it takes a lot longer than you thought it would. But in the end, you just know.” Penelope makes three.

Presley continues. “I know you. You feel differently about Fletcher. I could tell it the moment you guys met at my wedding.”

It’s my turn to roll my eyes. “Have you been talking to him? Because he said the exact same thing.”

“Oh, just go for it, Ryan. Nash men are great in bed. We should know.” Penelope hails down the bartender to order another round.

With the size of Fletcher’s dick, I’m not surprised. I almost say that out loud, but the alcohol hasn’t completely swamped my brain.

“We’ll see.”

“Seriously, don’t wait ten years. You might live with regrets, but at least you acted on your feelings. That’s better than not acting at all.” Lily tips back the last of her glass of wine.

Maybe she was right. At the end of the day, what was another failed relationship to add to the pile?

23

Ryan

Off-key singing meets me in the hall of Fletcher’s apartment, and I pause to listen to it.

From behind the door of apartment number 3, the guy I’m quickly developing feelings for is singing “My Girl” at the top of his lungs. His rendition is not great, but he’s giving it his all, and I find it adorable.

My heart also begins to flutter at the thought that he is singing that about me.

It’s our third date in two weeks, and I’m not shying away from calling them that anymore. When you’re spending time alone with a man, whether it’s going out to eat or giving him oral sex in his workshop … it’s a little bit more than hanging out.

Yes, I blew him on the floor of a barn. And it was the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever done.

It was impulsive, and at the time, I was acting on instinct