already had this conversation. Carly shook her head and said, “You don’t understand. It’s not that simple.”
“What’s not to understand?” Quinn asked. “You’re banging your hot ex, who according to Birdie is sexy as fudge and put you in such a deep orgasm coma you couldn’t even answer your phone. I’d let a man like that in my bed any day of the week.”
“Zev and I have a lot of history. We had a really bad breakup, and now we’re figuring out if we can make things work again.”
“And he’s madly in love with her. I could see it in his eyes,” Birdie said. “Cutter caught them knocking boots this morning in the wedding tent.”
“Birdie! We were not knocking boots.”
“Damn.” Quinn leaned across the counter and said, “My prim-and-proper boss caught almost screwing the hottie? Do tell!”
“Coma Girl hasn’t stopped smiling since she got here,” Birdie said.
Carly rolled her eyes, but the truth was, she hadn’t stopped smiling since she’d put on Zev’s compression shorts earlier that morning. It was ridiculous that at just shy of thirty years old she’d not only been caught almost having sex, but she’d also done a sprint of shame while wrapped in a sheet.
“When do I get to meet the OM?” Quinn asked. “At the bar tonight?”
“OM?” Carly asked.
Quinn whispered, “Orgasm master.”
Carly couldn’t help but laugh right along with them. “Actually, he’s taking me someplace special tonight, so I don’t think I’ll be there.” She said it with a pang of regret. Other than when she was out of town, this would be the first Wednesday night she’d missed with her friends in years, but she and Zev had only five more days, and she didn’t want to miss a second of it.
“I don’t blame you,” Birdie said. “If I had that man in my bed, I wouldn’t be leaving it, either.”
The bells above the door chimed, and Birdie said, “Duty calls,” and headed into the shop.
“I’d better get back to work, too.” Quinn pushed from the stool where she was sitting and said, “I’ll be back at four to work.” She stole a cake ball and hurried out of the kitchen.
Carly loved Quinn and considered herself lucky to have Quinn and Birdie as friends and employees. They were smart, reliable, easy to get along with, and courteous to customers. Marie had worked by herself, except during festivals and events when she’d hired friends to help her. During her first few years of business, the people she’d hired had ended up being less than dependable. She’d told Carly that it was easier to offer less and enjoy her job more than to be stressed and babysitting employees.
Carly finished stringing one beaded necklace and had started the next when Birdie peeked into the kitchen, excitement dancing in her eyes.
“Hottie McOrgasm is here to see you,” she said in a hushed voice.
“Zev’s here?” She tried to temper her giddiness.
“Yes, and Quinny took a nice long look at him on her way out. You’ll be glad to know she fully approves. I’ll keep him busy while you get ready.”
“Oh no you won’t, little Miss Flirt Bunny.” The heels of Carly’s strappy sandals clicked on the floor as she strode past Birdie into the shop.
“You look hot!” Birdie whisper-cheered.
Carly didn’t often wear sandals with heels, but she’d been in such a good mood that morning, she’d taken a little extra care when choosing her outfit, pairing them with a cute floral miniskirt Birdie had given her last Christmas and a flowy white spaghetti-strap top. Her entire body did a double take as Zev strode toward her in a pair of cargo shorts and a tight T-shirt. She loved that he came to see her in the middle of the day, and she was glad for the extra height from the heels. It put her closer to his mouth.
“Wow, babe. You look gorgeous.” He leaned in for a kiss, but the soft press of his lips felt different, restrained. “Do you have a minute to talk?”
Her stomach clenched.
He lowered his voice and said, “In private?”
In the space of a second, several heart-wrenching thoughts pummeled her. Had the vessel been arrested and he’d decided to make other arrangements for the animals so he could get back out on the water? Had he decided their lives were too far apart and it was better to end things now? Had Cutter gotten overprotective and started an argument this morning? She swallowed hard, not wanting to believe Zev would cut their time together