“What’s up, man?”
The blond looks like he walked right off the cover of a surfer magazine, and the brunette standing next to him looks like a Victoria’s Secret runway model.
“Oakley,” Landon says with a grin. “I wasn’t sure you’d make it.”
Oakley swipes a pot sticker off a tray. “I’m always down for a party and free food.” When the gorgeous girl next to him gives him a look, he adds, “Congrats, by the way.”
“Not yet.” Landon winces. “I still haven’t…you know.”
“Handed over your balls?” Oakley offers and Juan laughs. “It’s not so bad. I gave Bianca mine a few months ago and we’re still going strong.” He winks at the brunette. “Show him the goods, baby girl.”
With a bright smile, she eagerly holds up her hand, gesturing to the beautiful gemstone on her left ring finger.
Oakley drapes his arm around Landon’s shoulders. “Relax, brother. I’ll give you a few pointers that will get you laid and engaged before the party’s over.”
Landon opens and closes his mouth like a fish before shrugging and following his friends. “Screw it. I’ll take all the help I can get right now.”
I find myself laughing as the three of them walk away.
“He’s adorable,” Juan drawls as Asher whizzes by us.
“This party is the tits and ass, small fry.”
His loud statement has some people standing nearby chuckling.
“You’re welcome,” I tell him as a few of his buddies call him over.
“Damn,” Juan says. “That Breslin is one lucky bitch.”
“Yeah, but so are they.”
Breslin’s stubborn and tough as nails, but she’s also the best friend anyone could have.
I’m looking around for said best friend when Juan says, “On second thought, no one here is as lucky as you are, honey.”
I blink, not understanding. “Me? How so?”
Juan’s stare snags on something. “That husband of yours is an asshole, but holy hell, he’s the epitome of big dick energy.”
I follow his gaze across the room to Preston who’s currently standing on the outskirts of a group of guys who are talking. The sleeves of his white button-down shirt are rolled up, exposing those veiny muscular forearms. However, it’s the way his sharp jaw is clenched in contempt that holds my attention.
As if sensing my stare, he turns his head, locking those harsh eyes on mine with an intensity I feel in my bones.
Heat floods my system, and for a moment, it’s like we’re the only two people who exist on the planet.
“Damn, girl,” Juan drawls. “The sex between you two must be fire.”
I choke and sputter my champagne. “I’m sorry, what?”
He slaps my back. “Come on. Don’t tell me you’re not hitting that.”
For the love of ducks. “The only thing I’m going to be hitting is you if you don’t stop accusing me of having sex with my husband.”
I become acutely aware of just how strange that statement sounds.
Juan’s perfectly shaped brows rise with incredulity. “You seriously haven’t slept with him yet?”
“There is no yet.” I tap my chest. “Loud and proud card-carrying member of the gay community, remember?”
He thinks about this for a moment. “Yeah, but…you know.”
I reach for another glass of champagne because I seriously need it right now. “No, I don’t.”
Unless Preston manages not to gamble for the next nine months.
Then I’ll definitely know.
Juan leans in a little, like he’s about to tell me a secret. “It’s not a crime to experiment.”
“Experiment?”
He rolls his eyes. “Come on, Kit. Don’t tell me you’ve never—”
“I’ve never had a real-life penis inside me, nor do I want to,” I hiss. “Now can we please drop this conversation?”
He holds up his hands. “Fine”
That’s when it occurs to me. “Wait a minute.” I turn to him. “Are you saying that you…you know.”
He nods. “Yup.” A smirk lines his lips. “Twice.”
I’m pretty sure my mouth hits the floor because Juan is gayer than a peacock sprinkling glitter and waving a rainbow flag during a gay pride parade.
It’s one of the things I love most about him. He never hides who he is or tries to fit the mold of what society thinks he should be.
“Twice?”
“Mhhh. The first time was in high school with a girl I forced myself to date so I could get my father off my back.” He laughs to himself. “And the second was because the girl was intriguing as hell and I thought there was a chance that maybe I liked coochie…or at least hers. That wasn’t the case, though.”
I’m speechless.
On second thought, not really.
“And that’s exactly why I won’t be going there with Preston.” Unless he wins the bet. “I don’t have to eat Casu Marzu to know it’s disgusting, and I won’t like it.”
I expect him to agree, but he doesn’t. “It wasn’t as disgusting as I thought it would be. It actually felt kind of good.”
Needless to say, I’m confused as fuck. “Come again?”
“In the end it wasn’t my cup of tea, but I don’t regret it. Being with those women taught me a lot about myself and helped clarify things.” He jerks his chin in the direction of my husband. “Maybe Preston can do the same for you.”
“I don’t need to clarify anything,” I defend, my voice raising two octaves. “I’m a lesbian.”
“You say that like it’s a defense.”
I pop a hand on my hip. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
His face softens. “Look, I’m not attacking or accusing you of anything. I’m simply saying that it’s okay to be confused—especially when someone comes along and challenges everything you thought you knew about yourself.” He squeezes my hand. “No matter what you do or don’t do, I’ll never judge you.”
His statement has my heart swelling and then beating like I’ve just done two hours of intense cardio.
“I’m scared,” I whisper, surprising myself with my candidness.
He squeezes my hand harder. “Trying new things can be awkward and terrifying.”
“It’s not that.” When he gives me a mystified look, I spill my guts. “I’ve never had a bond with anyone like I do Preston. However, the pull I feel toward him doesn’t include what he has below the waist.”
He thinks about this for a moment. “How do you know if you don’t test the waters and try it out?”
He doesn’t get it. Preston isn’t a used car or an expensive dress you can return.
And some things can’t be taken back or undone.
“If I allow myself to go there with him—and surprise—it turns out his dick isn’t some kind of magical unicorn that can turn me straight, I won’t be able to chalk it up to a life lesson and keep it moving…because it will hurt him.” I close my eyes. “And then I’ll lose him.”