Page 73 of The Catch

Ames: Of course, I'll see you there.

Evie, Nat, Pen, and I text and make different plans. A few hours later, I'm wearing my sexiest outfit in an effort to gather confidence— a black, tight pencil skirt with a subtle silver sheen to it, and a loose striped blouse. It's a beautiful piece that mixes soft, matte velvet, and sheer black gauze in a large chevron pattern. The transparent bits allow for my black longline bra to peek through as I move, but it's no more than clues and a hint at what's underneath.

We chat away in the VIP section of the usual club, and though most of them order a cocktail and water on the side, I choose only the latter.

"What's that about?" Pen asks.

"I overdid it last night," I say.

"We all overdid it yesterday." Nat stares at her glass with suspicion.

Pen nods vehemently and, though she has a drink, it goes untouched. "We'll take it easy tonight."

I gaze at them, surrounding me in one of the lux sitting areas. They all look amazing in their club attire, and not an ounce of embarrassment shows on their face. Why would it? If it weren't for what I did later in the night, I would be a bithungover but content over the watch party, and happy about how close it seemed to bring us as friends. My humbled, bruised ego has nothing to do with that.

I sigh. "Let's just say I kept overdoing it."

Evie raises an eyebrow my way. "What do you mean?"

"I said more than I should have to Saint."

They all stare at me, waiting for more information.

I take in the moment, warmth spreading through me despite the topic. When I said I want to add depth to my life with good friends around me, this is what I meant. Times when I can open up and ask for an ear and maybe some advice, from people who care about me.

I make myself speak. "I tried to make things happen with him. They did not happen."

"Things… of a sexy nature?" Pen asks.

I scrunch my face. "He said no."

Everyone gasps.

"Are you okay?" Evie asks.

I make a weird motion with my head, somewhere between a shake and a nod. "He was sweet about it. And he was right to say no! He said I had drunk too much, which I had."

"Good," Pen says. "It was the right thing to do but, if I were you, I'd probably still be hurt."

"Especially coming from someone who says yes so often, right?" Nat frowns. "It's been a while since I saw him with anyone. Not that I'm keeping close track, but you would think he's pent up."

I may not have all the pieces, and some of them look like they belong to a whole different puzzle set, but this hasn't escaped my mind. I don't think he wants me like this, and that should be fine.

When we finally talk and he finds a kind way to explain why, I will keep myself together and accept it gracefully.

"He was right to do it, of course," Nat adds, "but…"

I nod. "But I'm embarrassed."

"No need to be embarrassed!" Pen rubs my knee. "Ask for what you want, always."

"We were teasing you about living with him and resisting temptation, right?" Nat chuckles. "We may have put the thoughts in your head."

"I bet that in your alcohol-soaked brain," Evie says, "it was perfectly logical."

It was. In my mind, we were two adults currently not involved with anyone else. I thought maybe he would want to take me up on my offer, since I was right there. I told myself that he's a modern man who wouldn't let his friendship with Pablo get in the way of some fun with me.

The fantasy titillated me, with promises of incredible sex with someone I already like so much.