Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 52975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
“So, how did the rest of Saturday go, Lainey?” Suki asks me.
I set my plate down and thank Dex for the glass of wine he passes me. “Not great. Shane left when we got back to Bash’s when Bash said we had to sleep in separate rooms.”
Mara gasps. “No, he did not.”
“He did.”
I fill Mara, Dex and Harry in on what happened at the cookout, Mara slapping a hand over her mouth when she cackles over Bash’s “speck of dust” comment.
“I’m so sorry for laughing,” she says.
I wave a hand. “It’s fine. It is a tiny stone. I just don’t care. A relationship isn’t supposed to be about how much things cost.”
“Totally agree,” Harry says.
Dex wrinkles his nose, leaning his hip against the kitchen counter. “True...but it’s also about how much of what someone has they’re willing to share with you. If he’s just starting out and doesn’t have a lot of money, that’s one thing.”
I don’t really know how much money Shane has. The pool business he and his brother own seems to be doing great, but I don’t know how much of their profit they have to reinvest back into the business. I’ve never thought of asking.
“Well, I went out with that investment banker I’ve been talking to.” Mara looks over her shoulder to make sure the girls can’t hear. “I was hoping to get railed within an inch of my life because it’s been seven months and thirteen days, but who’s counting? We were having a drink and he went to the bathroom. I ended up going to the bathroom, too, which is the only way I was able to see him asking another woman for her number on the way back to our table.”
My jaw drops with shock. “No.”
“Mm-hmm, girl. It’s hell out there.”
“What’d you do?” Dex asks, biting into a carrot with a crunch.
“I told her I was on a date with him and then I dumped my drink in his lap and left.”
Suki walks over to Mara and clinks her glass.
“What do you do for a living, Mara?” I ask.
“I’m an attorney.”
She’s telling me about her work when I get an all too familiar rumble in my stomach.
Shit. Shit, shit, shit. I knew better than to eat so much cheese fondue, but I was excited about the invite here and wanted Harry to know how much I liked his food.
And now irritable bowel syndrome has joined the conversation. I know my body well, and I have less than thirty minutes until my intestinal tract detonates.
I can’t spend thirty minutes or more shitting my guts out in one of Suki’s bathrooms. I’d rather end up at a gross gas station bathroom if I can’t get back to Bash’s house on time.
The next rumble in my stomach is stronger, sending a little shot of pain through my gut.
Shit! Literally—shit incoming. I have to get out of here. I casually take my phone from my bag and pretend to read a text.
“Oh, crap.”
“What is it?” Suki asks.
“One of the research assistants at the lab forgot to do final checks.” I lie. “We have to make sure everything is off that’s supposed to be off and everything’s on that’s supposed to be on. He has another thing and can’t get back there to do it, so I have to.”
“Fuck that guy,” Dex says. “Fire him immediately.”
I force a smile, but inside I’m freaking out. There have been a few times when I was trying to make it to my home bathroom and I didn’t get there in time. Bash knows I have IBS, but he’s never seen me at my worst during a bad flare or a pants-shitting incident.
“I’m so sorry, I have to go.” I stuff my phone into my bag, begging my intestinal tract to let me make it back to Bash’s. “You guys were so nice to include me, and this has been amazing. I really hate to leave.”
“No, don’t worry about it,” Suki says. “Go do your thing and come back.”
Shit. That wasn’t a well-thought-out excuse. I can’t come back. It’ll be a minimum of a few hours before this episode is over—maybe even longer.
“I might. It’ll depend on how long it takes me to get everything done at the lab.”
I practically run to the door, the gurgle gaining momentum. This is the absolute worst.
“See you!” I wave over my shoulder as I bolt for my Camry, parked in front of the house. “Thanks!”
I start the car up and stomp on the gas pedal, my tires squealing as I peel out.
Please, Intestinal Gods, let me make it to Bash’s house in time. I won’t eat cheese for the rest of my life if I can just make it there on time.
Chapter Seven
Bash
* * *
“Put your arm around my shoulders, fuckstick.”
Carter shoots a death glare my way. “I’m fine. Just get out of my way.”