Page 18 of Getting Down to Business

“Right. But Sasha’s kicking me out and this guy has a spare room in a really great apartment and…and I passed on it, but now I’m wondering if I’ve made a mistake. I mean, I’m capable of having normal relationships with other people. Like you and Freddie and Mia. As long as I made sure he knew it wasn’t romantic, I might be okay. So what do you think?”

“I don’t have enough information to offer an opinion.”

“It’s two bedrooms with a huge kitchen, and—”

“Not about the apartment.”

“Oh. The guy is nice, and we get along really well. He actually works here. The sex was fantastic. All three times. He seems—”

“Not about the guy,” Kenley cut her off.

“Then what?” Alyssa didn’t know what she was missing.

“I don’t know why you refuse to have a relationship with a guy. You’ve never said.” Right. She hadn’t. She didn’t talk about that. With anyone. Even her best friend.

“It’s a long story.”

“As you’ve told me many times. But you still haven’t told me the actual story.”

“It doesn’t matter. The thing is I don’t want more from this guy than a roof over my head and sex.” There was a long silence. “Did you just roll your eyes?”

“Yes.”

“Are you going to get to the part where you offer an opinion?”

“You want to have sex with the same guy?”

“It’s possible. Other people do it. It doesn’t have to mean anything.”

“Casual sex with the guy you’re considering moving in with?”

“Yes.”

“The guy you said is nice and you get along with?” Why had Liss called Kenley? She should have known better than to try to have a conversation before she finished her coffee. She took another big swig, hoping to get it into her bloodstream fast enough to help get her out of this.

“I think you should sleep with him again and then see how you feel,” Kenley said, shocking her.

“You do?” Kenley had been a virgin before she hooked up with the man who was now her husband. This was not the advice she expected.

“I think you should do it and see how you both feel before you decide anything about the apartment. What if one of you wants to be more than roommates?”

“I’m not going to want more.” No way. It wasn’t a possibility.

“He might want more with you. While you seem content to go through life without strings, normal people form attachments. I don’t think it’s fair for you to assume he’s going to be content to live with you without wanting something more. And having sex with him might complicate that.”

“So you’re saying I should have sex with him again to make sure he’s not going to fall madly in love with me?” She laughed at that.

“No. I’m saying you should have sex with him again to make sure it’s something you can do without. If you do decide to move in with him, you’d have to give up the sex.”

“Why can’t we keep having sex?”

“Because having sex with someone you live with is halfway to being in a relationship.”

“It is?” She let out a sigh. “Your logic seems sound. I think you might be on to something.” And if it didn’t work out, at least she’d have another evening of good sex.

“Glad I could help.”

“I have to say, since you’ve been married, I haven’t been able to offer you much assistance.”