Page 35 of Time To Learn

Satisfied, I head to Oran Mor, glad that it’s not too far fromhere.

* * *

I’m sittingat the bar, nursing a pint of lager as I feel a clap on my shoulder. I look to my left and grunt in greeting when Alex sits down next to me. He takes off his leather jacket and hangs it on the back of his chair. I chuckle darkly when I notice that he’s his immaculate self as usual—bow-tie, button-down shirt, and slacks.

Weird.

“Hey.”

He jerks a chin at me before he flags down the barman, motioning to my beer that he’ll have the same. The pub is not that crowded yet, but you can feel the weekend vibe in theair.

“So, what’s up?” Alex says, turning in hisseat.

I hardly know where to begin. My thoughts are all jumbled up, and I feel tied up in knots.

“I’ve just left the flat of two very busty blondes—had the most mind-blowing sex—and yet I feel somehow guilty.”

His eyes shoot up to his hairline.

“Why, are you in a relationship with someoneelse?”

“No,” I scoff. “You already know that. And if I was, I wouldn’t go astray.”

He narrows his eyes at me as he takes a sip of his lager.

“Right, I need more information before I can pass judgment,” he grumblesthen.

Sighing, I lean my arms on the bar, casting my eyesdown.

“You know that woman who came in the shop yesterday? The one wearing a flannel shirt and riding clothes?”

His eyes light up in recognition.

“Ah, so that’s what she was wearing—fuck me if I know anything about horses and shit.” He shrugs. “What abouther?”

“Well, I met her again today, totally by chance, and I can’t get her out of my mind. But, when I asked her out, she turned medown.”

His frown deepens as I take another swig of mypint.

“So?” he asks, clearly not followingme.

“So, when those blondes texted me, offering a threesome, I went to their flat, fucked them, and they did a good job of keeping me satisfied, but now?” I grimace. “Now, I feel guilty—as if I’ve done something wrong. What’s up withthat?”

Alex puts down his glass and leans closer to me. I raise my eyes at him in question.

“That, my friend,” he says, “means that it’s not only your body that wants to get some action with that brown-haired lass. Your heart wants it, too, and that’s a whole other kind of disaster waiting to happen.”

I sit up a little straighter.

“I don’t have a heart,” I bite out. “My heart was lost some time ago, and it hasn’t returned to meyet.”

Alex coughs once. “Eh, son, I hate to break it to you, but from the sound of it, your heart is no longer lost. What’s hername?”

“Laura.”

He hesitates. “This is probably going to sound stupid, but do you know why she has that scar on her cheek?”

“I’m surprised you’d remember that,” Imuse.