“<span>Holyshit, that’s a lot of skin showing.”
It’snot justPalmer’swords through ourFaceTimecall.It’sthe way her face is screwed up like she’s in pain.It’sunmistakably a look of shock and horror at me in my mermaid costume. “Doyou have a shawl or something?”
“Ireally only asked about my makeup,Palmer,”Isay, stepping closer to the mirror and taking a seat on the bathroom chair positioned in front of several different eyeshadows and mini tubs of glitter.
Lennoxwas supposed to help me get ready, but she got horrendously ill with what she calls the super flu.It’sbeen over three days and just this morning we confirmed there was no way in hell she was attending the birthday party tonight.Ioffered to skip the party and help take care of her instead, but she insisted she felt guilty enough for infectingn.Theyhave ns ofmiserating in their misery tonight together, inSnuggies, in front of aMarvelmovie marathon.
I’mjealous.Outsideof the fever and chills, that’s exactly my perfect version of date night.Dollingup for hours, likeI’mabout to walk the red carpet or walk down the aisle is not a routineIwant to fall into.ButFinnseems so excited about tonight.Idon’t want to be a killjoy.Forthe past couple of weeks, we’ve been enjoying the gray area.Thece where we get to flirt, cuddle, have constant sex, but don’t have to make any life-altering decisions.Butthe gray area has an expiration date—and it’s in three days whenIhead toCancunto present to the board.
Iblink atPalmer, who has fallen into an awkward silence.
“Okay, fine, just say it—doIlook fat?BecauseLennoxandFinnhave already seen me in the costume and they saidIlook—”
“<i ss="calibre2">No.</i>No,Aves.Ididn’t say<i ss="calibre2">fat</i>.It’sjust…”Shepinches her brow. “WhatdidFinnandLennoxsay?” she asks in a mocking tone.
LennoxsaidIlooked jaw-dropping bold and hot.Shealso made some less-than-tastefulments about my breasts—allplimentary.AndFinndidn’t say much because the moment the costume was on, he peeled it right off.Hedid mention mermaids may be his new fetish.
“Theysaid it looked good.”Thebottom of the mermaid costume is a long, flowy, pink skirt that’s see-through and sheer.Thedelicate fabric is held together with silver chains that attach to a mshell—that conveniently matches my bra—covering my bottom<i ss="calibre2">bit</i>.Thisis the most revealing thingI’veever worn in my life, butI’mheaded to a strip club costume party.Andaren’tIan adult by now?Whohas the right to tell me whatIshould and shouldn’t be wearing?
“Maybejust throw a crop top on over it.Liketake aT-shirt and just put it over your bra and tie the ends.”Shedemonstrates a knot with her hands like it’s a foreign concept to me. “You’llfeel even morefortable.”
“Thanks,Palmer.Realsupportive,”Imutter bitterly and pick up a makeup brush and passive-aggressively stab the bristles into the glitter pot too hard.Pinkand silver shimmer goes flying all over the bathroom countertop and the bottom of my phone that’s propped against the container of cotton swabs.
“Comeon.I’mnot saying you look bad.It’sjust…”
Iexhale and meet her eyes on the screen. “It’swhat?”
“You’rechanging, a lot.”
“And?”I’mnot doing a good job hiding the irritation in my voice.
Palmerrolls her eyes at my tone. “Imean,Iknow you,Aves.You’vebeen my best friend for twenty years, soIcan say with full confidence that you, the<i ss="calibre2">real</i>you, is pretty incredible.Idon’t want you to change your entire identity becauseMasonwasn’t the one.Youare perfect for someone.AndIjust don’t think that someone is going to want you to dress up like a mermaid slut and party at a strip club.”
Ideadpan. “Slut?”
Sheholds up her hands in surrender. “Sorry!Poorword choice.Youget whatI’mtrying to say.You’rejust notVegas, you’re not<i ss="calibre2">going out</i>, you’reAvery.You’recuddles on the couch, and ranch and chips for dinner, and the most intelligent, kind human beingIknow.Youdeserve everything,Aves.”
Asper usual,Palmer’sloving and supportive message is wrapped in her candy coating of sass and judgment, but the core is sweet at least.
Igesture to my cleavage on disy. “Thisisn’t the norm.I’mthe one who wanted to go to this party.Finn…Idon’t know,Palmer, there’s something between us andIthink it’s real.”
Sheturns up her lip like she smells something rancid. “Real?Youand the strip club owner?<i ss="calibre2">Comeon.</i>”
“He’sa photographer—a really good photographer,”Isay, grabbing the aerosol hairspray and spraying it into my palm.Idab the liquid by the sides of my eyes before using the makeup brush to deposit a healthy coat of glitter where my eyeliner ends.I’llbe damned.Itactually works; the glitter is glued in ce.Allcourtesy ofLennox’sgenius. “Hewants me to move here to be with him and give our rtionship a real chance.”
“Stop.Whatthe fuck?”Palmerasks, her eyes popping into wide circles. “You’renot—”
“Iam.IfIget theLegacyResortsjob,I’mmoving toVegas.”
Thejob is almost guaranteed.
Myhunch was more than spot-on.OnceIdug into the board members’ financials, it was very clear whatLegacy’smain issue is…
Theyhave a rat.
Themember most adamant about selling thepany and getting everyone to rally behind him happens to be a major investor inLegacy’sdirectpetition.Mybig presentation transformed from a pitch to a witch hunt.OnceItell the executive team and other board members whatMr.WaceFrankhas been up to, he’ll be voted off the board andLegacycan start fresh with a supportive team and a solid new branding vision.
<i ss="calibre2">Myvision.</i>
Ibite the inside of my cheek and brace myself, preparing for the snarky remark that’s about toe out ofPalmer’smouth, but instead, there are only tears.
“Palmer?”Iask.
Sheshakes her head and sniffles.
“Palmer…what’s wrong?”Mytone softens asIwatch her eyes fill and her cheeks turn blotchy red.
“It’sjust<i ss="calibre2">great</i>to know thatI’mlosing my job, my home, and my best friend all at the same time.”
“<i ss="calibre2">What</i>?Thatassistant actually got you fired?Becausethat’s not—”
Palmershakes her head again. “No.Theshow didn’t end up getting picked up.Thwork changed its mindst minute.They’llhave my final check tomorrow and then we’re done.Iwas going to tell you this weekend.”
Theway her head is hung makes my stomach twist.Ihate seeingPalmerlike this.Hersass and snark are a wall she’s built up after years of rejection in an industry based on luck and endlessdders.Anindustry that’s been rejecting her for a decade now.
“Palmer…I’mso sorry, friend.Whatdo you need from me?”
“Anything?Evenif it’s much too much to ask?”
Inod assuredly. “Absolutely.”
“Willyoue get me?Idon’t want to make the drive back alone.Iknow you have connections in the airline industry.Couldyou get ast-minute flight—”Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.
“Yes.I’llget on a flight tomorrow night.Youcane toCancunwith me, okay?Theybooked me a couple’s suite, but there’s no way in hellI’msharing that withMason.Doyou want to be my date?”
HunterwithLegacyResortsmade the incorrect assumption thatMasonandIare still a couple, so he had his assistant arrange a honeymoon suite atLegacy’sCancunresort.Ipolitely toldMasonIwas keeping the luxury suite, and he needed to find elsewhere to bunk for the presentation.Iactually was going to surpriseFinnwith ast-minute invitation, butPalmerclearly needs the distraction.Shecan get tan and drunk inMexicowhileIsecureArrowConsulting’sfuture.
“Butyou have to y nice withMason,”Icontinue. “He’sgoing to be there, too.”
Shemakes a disgusted face.
“Freevacation, honey.Beggarscan’t be choosers.”
“Whatdid you decide about all that anyway?You’rereally going to ditchMasonafter all you guys have gone through withArrow?”
“<i ss="calibre2">Wow</i>, look who is singing a different tune,”Isay teasingly. “Hasthe war finally ceased?”Iwink beforeIshake my head. “No.Icame up with the perfect solution.Iam going to keepArrowConsultingintact and offer an exclusive nonpete offer toLegacyResorts.Sowe’ll get their fat paycheck,I’llgiveMasonhis fair share, andArrowConsultingwill be an exclusive resource toLegacy.”Ipinch my fingers together and kiss them. “Idon’t want to sayI’ma genius but…”Ipop my shoulders with a big grin on my face.I’mjust trying to cheer her up. “Everythingis going to be okay.Youcould move toVegaswith me.Wecan still get a ce together.”
“Ihave to be inL.A. for—”
“Iknow.”Iwish she’d just give up her acting career and find something that makes her feel good about herself.ButIalso knowPalmer’stalented.Everyonefinds their path in their own way. “Ifthis is what you want, then see this show as a big stepping stone.Yonded an amazing job,Palmer.It’snot in your control who invests in the project.Sotake the experience, go home, and<i ss="calibre2">go hard</i>.Anotheropportunity wille your way.Ipromise you, friend.Ilove you.”
“Iknow.”Shepresses her fingertips against her closed eyes. “But…Idon’t know…I’mscared that you have this new life, new friends, and a new man so quickly.I’myour oldest friend.I’vebeen with you forever.You’rereally going to ditch me for some random hot guy?Ithought…”
Ihang my head whenIremember the promiseImade to her weeks ago.BeforeFinn.BeforeIfound this new version of myself.ItoldPalmerwe were in it together and she could count on me.Sheneeds me.Masonneeds me.He’snot my boyfriend, but he is still my business partner.
Idon’t want to be the girl who ditches her oldest friends for a shiny new life that truthfullyIprobably don’t fit into.Maybethis is moving too fast.Thissummer was just a break from reality, but now real life seems to be catching up.
“We’llfigure it out together,Palmer.Don’tworry.I’llbe there tomorrow, okay?I’lltext you as soon asIhave my flight details.”
“Okay,” she says through sniffly tears.Shedabs again at her red, puffy eyes. “Ilove you,Aves.Idon’t deserve you.”
“Well, you’ve got me.”
“FinnHarvey,Ihave a face, you know.”
Finnreluctantly peels his eyes away from my chest to meet my gaze from the opposite side of the limo. “I’msorry, did you say something?” he asks. “It’shard to hear you over your sexy tits.”
Itry to scowl at him, but a reluctant smile breaks through and he responds by unbuttoning the top of his crisp, gray polo suggestively.Tomy surprise,Finnshowed up at my ce to pick me up for the party in nice dark jeans and a gray polo.He’sdressed the same way he does when he takes me out to a fancy dinner.WhenIasked him where the hell his costume was, he informed me that only the women dress up atCass’scostume parties, which to me seems very much like a hunter-and-prey type of situation, but hey…<i ss="calibre2">when inVegas.</i>
Finnreaches behind him to roll down the partition halfway.
“How’straffic?” he asks the driver.
Ihate to admit it, butIcould get used to the limo treatment.It’snot the luxury aspect.Idon’t give a rat’s ass about the extended limo, champagne on ice, or plush leather seats.It’sthe fact that every time we take a limo,Iget to spend the ride ying footsie withFinnand staring into his bright baby blue eyes instead of watching the side of his face light up under red-and-green lights.
“Alittle congested,” the driver responds. “Butdon’t worry, we’ll get you there on time.”
“Don’trush,”Finnreplies to the driver, even though his eyes are forward, locked on my mshell mermaid bra. “Weneed about twenty more minutes.Ifwe arrive sooner than that, circle the block, and under no circumstances are you to roll down this partition.Clear?”
“Yes, sir,” the driver responds apathetically like he has no idea, or no interest, in whatFinnis insinuating.
I’veworked with a lot of top-dogCEOsin the past few years.There’sa certain air of authority a man gets when he knows hismands will be followed with enthusiasm.Finnhas traces of aCEO’sattitude.Ies in little shes.Mostof the time he’s soft, sweet, and charming, but there’s a top-dog boss living inside of him.Aside that seems to onlye out when he’s turned on or pissed off.
Oncethe partition is up again,Finngrabs his dick through his cks and bites his lower lip. “Allright,Queen.Youknow what we do in limos.Spread’em.”
ThistimeIfull-on scowl. “No.”
Hecocks one eyebrow. “Excuseme?Sweetheart,Ireminded you about fifty times that you’re the most beautiful woman on the, brought you a limo, and rubbed your sexy little feet for the past ten minutes because you said your heels hurt.”
“Yes,”Iadmit, “you’ve been perfect tonight.”<i ss="calibre2">Everynight, in fact.</i>
Henods emphatically. “Yep.Forey.Now, pay up.Touchyourself.Theclock is running.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“BecauseI…”I’membarrassed to fess up, butIdon’t wantFinnto thinkI’mrejecting him. “Ispent a really long time on my hair and makeup becauseIwant to look as good asIpossibly can.Idon’t want all your friends to see me sweaty, splotchy, and with frizzy hair.Idon’t want you to be…embarrassed to show up with me, okay?Youdeserve a pretty girl,Finn.I’mreally trying.”
I’mputting in the effort forFinnwhereIfell t withMason.MaybebecauseI’mtrying to rectify past mistakes.MaybebecauseFinnalready matters to me more.Ormaybe becauseIknow when ites toFinn, thepetition is fierce.I’vejust never been interested inpeting until now.Butit’s undeniable…
NowthatIhave his attention,Idon’t want to lose it.
“Whyare you trying so hard to be something you already are?Avery, we can turn this limo around and go home right now.”Finn’sexpression ttens as his eyes sink with concern. “We’regoing out tonight because<i ss="calibre2">you</i>wanted to.Iwould’ve skipped it.Theseare my wild party friends.Ifyou don’t like it, they don’t have to be a part of my life.”
“You’dgive up your friends for me?”
Henods. “I’masking you to change your whole life and move here just to take a chance on us.Sowhatever you need to feel secure,I’llgive it to you.Ihaven’t seen these clowns in months andI’mnot missing anything.”
Irub my lips together, forgetting how slippery they are from all the thick gloss. “Finn, mayIteach<i ss="calibre2">you</i>a love lesson for once?”
“Sure.”
“Don’tbe with a woman who wants you to give up your friends for her.Bewith a woman who wants to be a part of the things you like and love.”
Iwanted to tellFinnabout my n to move tonight.Mybig grand gesture.Iknow it’s a risk and we haven’t known each other long, but our chemistry is undeniable.Settingmy insecurities aside,Iwanted to see where this goes…
ButthenIgot that call fromPalmera couple of hours ago.Myold life is calling me home, andIdon’t want to be the woman who turns her back on her best friend of twenty years because she’s currently lust-filled and sex-crazed over a man who has been treating her nicely for two months.
Whatkind of woman amI?Whatkind of friend amI?Ineed time to decide, and nowIcan’t offerFinnany real answers tonight likeInned to, so instead,Ikick off my shoes, bend my legs, and press my heels into the edge of my seat, then spread my legs.
“Nothingcrazy,”Imumble asIpart the strips of my skirt on either side of my thigh so he has a clear visual of my nude-colored panties. “I’mnot going to mess up my hair and makeup.”
Helooks like a man starved as he sinks to his knees in front of me. “Fine.Thenhow about you lean back and rx?Youcan keep your pretty self perfectly intact, andI’lldo all the work.”
BeforeIcan respond, he yanks my panties to the side and drags his tongue across my slit.Iwas already melting.NowI’mon fire.
“OhmyGod,”Igroan.
He’snot teasing me tonight.We’reon a timer, so immediately he’spping at me like a thirsty dog, and suddenlyIdon’t care so much about howIlook.Iweave my fingers in his hair and grind against his wet tongue, trying to work as hard as he is.
“Isaid rx,” he mumbles and blows against my clit, the cool air making me shudder. “I’vegot this.Leanback and enjoy.”
Helets his saliva pool on the tip of his tongue before he flicks at my clit rapidly, following his own advice about head he gave me a few weeks ago.Itwent something like—keep it wet, lots of pressure, and my favorite part…lots of praise.
“Goddamn, you taste so good and feel so soft,” he moans against me. “How’sthat feel,Queen?”
“Good,”Iforce myself to breathe out.
“Hm, just good?”Htches onto my clit and hollows his cheeks, sucking as hard as he can as he slinks one finger into me.
“Ohfuck,”Icry out, ignoring the fact the driver can probably hear everything.Isthere music ying?Weshould turn on some music…<i ss="calibre2">loud</i>…becauseIreally want to scream. “Yes, like that.”
Hestops sucking just long enough to respond. “Goodgirl, that’s more like it.Tellme how good it feels.”
“Youare a fucking king,Finn.<i ss="calibre2"></i>You’reso good at this.Pleasedon’t stop.”
“That’swhatIlike to hear,” he grumbles as he works in a second finger. “Youknow something?” he asks, removing his lips from my body.
Ilift my head from the back of the seat. “Keepgoing,”Iplead. “I’mclose.”
Helooks up and shoots me a wicked smile. “Youstill have my fingers.Goodness, you needy girl.Letme talk to you for a minute.”
Iblink at him as my lips press together in a hard line. “Iam zero percent amused.”
Hethrusts his fingers into me hard, making me grunt. “Thisis too easy.”
“<i ss="calibre2">What</i>?”Icry out as he picks up the pace.
“Yeah,Iknow your pussy backward and forward by now.”
He’scareful to keep his fingers long and straight, knowing if he curls them,I’llmake a fuss about making a mess in this limo.Ilet him do<i ss="calibre2">that</i>to me at home, preferably in the shower.Nothere.Notin my mermaid costume, right before we’re about to go into public.
“Iknow exactly how to make you feel good, baby.I’vegot this pussy on lockdown.”
“Yourpoint?”Iask through gasps.
“Now, how doIget your heart, hm?WhatdoIneed to do to keep you?Toconvince you that you are exactly whatIwant?”Htches onto my clit again with his lips and drives me to the brink, making sure my toes are curling and my thighs are tensing before he pulls away again. “Ineed you to start falling in love with me now,Avery.”
<i ss="calibre2">Inlove?</i>
Normally,I’dfeel like this is a wildly inappropriate time to be having this conversation, but it feels right withFinn.Itdoesn’t matter whether we’re talking or fucking, the connection is the same.It’sdeep, and real, and so all-epassing.Maybemy emotions will explode at the same time my body does…
“I’mhalfway there andIdon’t want to be alone at the finish line,”Finncontinues.
Henips at my clit now, knowing how it sets me off.It’sthe thrill of the idea of danger.Hecould hurt me, but he doesn’t.He’sso controlled, his nip almost on the cusp of pain but not quite.Theperfect bnce makes me explode.It’sthe trustIhave knowingFinnis always going to dare me to jump off the cliff, then be waiting at the bottom to catch me.
e so hard it almost hurts.Theway my back arches so intensely my spine aches, my thighs fatigue, and my head knocks back against the headrest so hard it bounces right back up.Ihave to ripFinnaway from my body with both hands because he’s dead set on pushing me past my limit and he continues to drag his tongue all over my sensitive entrance.Thesensation is so intense that it’s torture.
“<i ss="calibre2">Stop</i>,”<i ss="calibre2"></i>Ibeg. “Icame,Finn.Ialready came.”
“Iknow,” he says with a chuckle as he yields and rises from his knees to slide back into his seat. “Weneed to work on your endurance.”
“Endurance?”Iask asIadjust my panties over my swollen and throbbing center and realign my skirt.
“Ifyou could bear through it,Icould send you straight into another orgasm.Evenmore intense.”
“Ithink one at a time is plenty,”Ihuff, still catching my breath.Thetingles in my toes still linger.I’mso satiatedIjust want to fall asleep withFinnholding me from behind.
“Fornow.You’llsee.There’sa lot for us to explore together.That’swhat keeps your sex life alive,Avery.It’snot different positions, dirty talk, or getting choked and your ass swatted.It’strusting each other enough to be honest and ask for what you want and need—”
“Andthe other person being willing to try,”Iadd.
“That’swhereIthink both of our prior rtionships fell t.Noradidn’t trust”—he points to his chest—“andMasondidn’t try.”Hepoints to me. “That’swhy we’re good together.Idon’t want to pressure you,Avery, but if you were here,IknowIcould make you happy.”
Ilook out the window and see that we’re parked right in front ofRuby’s.Iremember the giant red neon sign from all those years ago whenIrescuedPalmer.<i ss="calibre2">Mybest friend…</i>
“Finn, you knowL.A. is only about four hours away.”
Henods shortly. “I’maware.”
Ikeep my eyes on the window so he doesn’t see my guilty expression. “That’salmost the same distance toScottsdale, right?Youvisit your mom once a month and the drive isn’t too bad.”Ifinally force myself to look at him, and the way his lips are pressed together and his eyes are narrowed, he knows whatI’msaying.
“Doyou think seeing each other once a month would be enough for us?”
“Finn,I…”Itrail off and he waits patiently for me to finish my thought, butIcan’t.Idon’t want to tell himPalmeris what stands between us because he truly will hate her forever and ifFinnis going to be in my life,Ineed my boyfriend and my best friend to get along.It’sbad enough that there’s a war betweenPalmerandMason.Butthere’s only a war because she loves me and hates the man who broke my heart.
“CanIbe honest?”Finnasks.
Inod in reply.
“Ithink we’re good together andIthink you’re standing in your own way.Andwhen you figure out why, let me know.MaybeIcan help you through it.”
<i ss="calibre2">ButIknow why.</i>
It’sbecause even after all summer, it’s still easier to sink back into whatIknowIam versus whatIcould be.I’mMason’sbusiness partner.I’mPalmer’sbest friend.Idon’t know ifIcan trust the idea ofFinnand this reinvented version of myself.It’sjust a fantasy.It’sjust a dream.GuyslikeFinndon’t really fall in love with girls like me.Iknow he likes thatImake him feel safe…
ButdoImake him feel alive the way he makes me feel alive?<i ss="calibre2">There’sno way.</i>Andit’s so much easier to think with my head than my heart.
“Finn, listen,I—”
<i ss="calibre2">Knock, knock, knock.</i>Theabrupt sound against the partition conveniently interrupts me.
“Sir, we’re being told to move.Ican’t park here much longer.ShouldIcircle the block again?”
“No, we’re all set,”Finncalls back and we hear the driver’s door open then m shut.Nodoubt he’s making his way over to let us out.Finnkeeps his eyes on me. “Finishyour sentence, sweetheart.Whatis it?”
<i ss="calibre2">Whatis it?…</i>
<i ss="calibre2">I’mscared.</i>
Igrab my clutch and fish through it beforeIpull out a pack of gum. “Nothing.Buthere, you should take a piece.”Ihand over a single stick. “IpromiseI’llreturn the favorter.”
Hechuckles as he pops the gum into his mouth.Hewinks at me yfully, clearly trying to mask his disappointment in our conversation.
“Damnstraight you will.”