Page 45 of Flawless

A few days after Cam’s visit, I was having lunch with Austin at Jimmy’s while we discussed my upcoming album and the kind of songs it would feature when he had to cut it short because another artist friend needed his input in the studio.

I’d waved him off when he tried to pay the bill, opting to order coffee and dessert instead. I immediately regretted my decision when my ex claimed the seat my producer had just vacated.

“Hey, Dean,” I said, determined to be polite. “Did you just get here? I didn’t see you when I came in.” If I had, I would have suggested we eat elsewhere.

It’s not that I disliked Dean. I just didn’t relish the idea of hanging out with him after he’d made things so awkward the last time.

“Yeah, I’m meeting a friend for lunch.” He checked his phone. “But he just texted to let me know he’s running late.”

“Huh.” Just my luck. I smiled at the waitress who delivered my apple pie and coffee. “Thanks, hon.”

She cleared Austin’s plate before confirming Dean didn’t want anything.

“How’re things going with you and the cop?” He leaned in. “You done with him yet?”

“Things are great.” I faked a smile before adding sugar to my coffee, wishing he would take the hint and get lost.

“Must be rough,” he said, studying me a little too closely. “Living so far apart. Unless it’s just a casual thing? See him when you can, yeah?”

“No, we’re making an effort to see each other every weekend.” I popped a forkful of pie in my mouth and took my time chewing. “Either I go there or he comes here.”

“Yeah, but when you hit the road again, he won’t be able to see you for months.” He looked amused when he said, “No way will he be cool with that.” He lowered his voice, creeping me out when he said, “And I know you, Rylee. There ain’t no way you’re goin’ that long without sex.”

Apparently, he didn’t know me as well as he thought, because we’d broken up almost a year ago, and I hadn’t been with anyone until I met Cam.

“Sex with Cam is worth the wait, believe me.” If he was going to get personal, I had no problem making him sorry he went there.

A flash of anger crossed his face before he schooled his expression. “Just be careful, baby. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I’m not your baby, Dean. And I can take care of myself, but thanks for your concern.”

I wasn’t trying to be a bitch, but some exes deserved to be put in their place.

My phone rang with an incoming call from Cam, making me smile. “Sorry,” I said, flashing the phone at Dean. “He must be taking a lunch break. I’d really like to talk to him.”

“Yeah, no worries.” He stood, looking like he wanted to say more, but finally walked away when I connected the call.

“Hey, handsome. I was just talking about you.” I lowered my voice and said, “About how sex with you is always worth the wait.”

He sounded more amused than annoyed when he asked, “Who were you talking to about our sex life?”

“Ugh, would you believe my ex?” Before he could get pissed, I said, “He was pumping me for information about our relationship, saying he knew I couldn’t last without sex while I was on tour and I informed him sex with you is always worth the wait.”

He chuckled. “I bet he loved hearing that.”

“Hopefully he won’t be stupid enough to bring it up again. Can you believe that guy?” Before he could respond, I said, “Forget about him. I’d much rather hear about you. How’s your day going?”

“Okay,” he sighed. “A lot going on. I just needed to hear your voice.”

My heart fluttered every time he told me that hearing my voice made his day better.

“You want to talk about it?” He was my sounding board at the end of every day and I wanted to be his too.

“Honestly, no. How’d you run into the lowlife?”

“I was just having lunch at Jimmy’s with Austin. We were talking about my next album, and Dean’s here having lunch with a friend.”

I glanced at a table in the back where Dean was sitting with an emerging songwriter that we both knew.