“How does he make metro so hot?”
“I don’t know,” I reply with a shake of the head.
Kate’s face sobers a bit. “Any luck on the job front?”
“Nope.” I groan and cup my face in my hands. “And I’m moving in with Mom and Dad next week so things are about as bleak as they can be.”
Kate chews her lip sympathetically. “You know it’s temporary.”
My lips turn down as the disappointment of my life washes over me. “Temporarily pathetic.”
She knocks my hands off my chin. “You graduated less than two months ago. As soon as you find the right job, you’ll be able to look for the right place to live.”
“I hope you’re right,” I murmur, grabbing my espresso and sipping the hot liquid. “Man, I thought finishing my thesis was hard. Who knew that finding a job as a pediatric counselor would be even harder? I’ve even expanded my options to Denver.”
“You’re not moving.” Kate shoots me a stern face, clearly not even interested in entertaining that notion.
I roll my eyes. “If I become desperate enough, I won’t have a choice. This is so frustrating. Getting my master’s was supposed to be the start of my life as an adult. Instead, I’m stuck in limbo and preparing to move in with my parents. Let me sob all the sobs, okay?”
Kate levels me with an unsympathetic glower. “Fine, but also keep in mind that you are hirable. You were offered a couple of social work positions already, but you said no because you’re holding out for something with more emphasis on children.”
I nod. “I know, but that’s only because I need pediatric experience to make my dream of opening my own specialty clinic even remotely possible.”
“I know,” she says encouragingly. “You’re not pathetic. You’re just being a boss bitch.”
That label makes me smile. “Well, I think this boss bitch needs to cancel her stupid Tinder date tonight.” I prop my chin on my hand. “I’ve been feeling like garbage lately. Tired, irritable, bloated. Who wants to hang out with tired, irritable, and bloated?”
“Don’t cancel,” Kate exclaims, her eyes wide and urgent. “A hot date is just the boost your ego needs. And this guy looked cute!”
I shake my head. “How hot of a prospect am I going to be to him? I may as well hold a sign up that says: Jobless, homeless, moody, stressed the fuck out, and seeking mediocre pity sex.” I cringe at that last part as my memory floods with images of the last time I had sex. Somehow, I know that any future sex I have will never come close to being as hot as that night.
“Stop,” Kate groans, shaking her head with a laugh. “You’re not pity sex material. Just go out and have some fun. Own your transition, because that’s all it is, a transition. This date will help take your mind off the job hunt. Plus, you seriously need to clean the cobwebs out down there. It’s been well over a year since Barry the Pharmacy Tech, and I wouldn’t be surprised if your lack of action is the reason you’re not finding a job. Sex improves confidence…that’s just plain science.”
I force a laugh and try to hide the guilty look on my face. I never told Kate about me and Dr. Dick hooking up. I might have if only my departure hadn’t gone so epically terrible. That’s a lie. I still probably wouldn’t have told Kate because I’m not ready to admit that slightly violent, argumentative, spanking sex is apparently my kink. That is something she would feast on for years, and I’m working to forget any of that night ever happened.
Now if only my dreams would cooperate with my desire to forget. My dreams have been ridiculously potent these past couple of months. So potent that I literally wake up in the throes of an orgasm.
I didn’t even know that was a thing.
I guess I made it a thing.
I often replay that night in my head, and I honestly don’t know what came over me. I waffle between being turned on and horrified. I can’t imagine what Josh must think after I got spanked and dashed.
Is that a thing?
I guess I made that a thing too.
I’m sure that night just further confirmed the fact that Dr. Dick thinks I’m one hundred percent crazy town, and he’s probably sleeping well at night knowing he dodged a bullet.
I exhale heavily and force a smile for Kate. “Fine, I won’t cancel my Tinder date. How’s Miles? You think he’s getting ready to propose yet?”
“I have no clue, but he’s been acting suuuper weird.” She waggles her eyebrows suggestively.
Speak of the devil, Kate’s boyfriend, Miles, comes waltzing in. He’s crazy tall with black hair and the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen on a person that tan. He’s a freaking dreamboat. And he is completely smitten with his redheaded tire shop waiting room smut writer.
Miles tips his head politely to me before leaning down and caging Kate in as he presses his lips to hers. The kiss lingers for a moment, and I can’t look away. He pulls back and stares at her from an inch away, and the two of them seem so in love, it gives me butterflies just watching them.
He finally breaks his trance on her and looks at me. “What’s up, Lynsey?”
“Not much, Miles. How about you?”
“Working away.” He props up his elbows on the table and smiles his white-toothed smile at me. “Trying to get this one to take a break from writing occasionally.”
“Good luck. When she’s in the groove, she’s in the groove.”
“You got that right.” Miles gives her a proud smile. “But she’s almost done, and I’ve been telling her we should host a celebratory party at the house. I can line the whole thing up. I’m a great party planner.”
“Someone say party?” Another male voice cuts into our conversation. Sam scratches his ginger beard as he strides toward us.
“Yes!” I bounce up and down. “Miles is going to host Kate’s next The End party so we can get drunk like the good old days. I know you’re the boss around here, but since you’re also Miles’s best friend, you can give him some time off to throw a party, right?”
“Obviously.” Sam sidles up next to Miles. “But I seem to remember Miles and Kate disappearing at her last The End party, so who are they really throwing the party for?”
“Good point.” I giggle with that recollection. “Party sex is so tacky.”
“Shut up!” Kate barks, whacking my shoulder playfully while blinking sexy doe eyes at Miles.
I interrupt their little eye-fucking session. “Kate, you just focus on finishing and give us a date when you’re ready.”
“Sounds good,” Kate replies with a smile.
I smile too because for the first time in the past few weeks, my mood has been lifted. I might not have a career or a home, but I have a Tinder date and an epic party in my near future. Things could be a lot worse.
“Incoming, Dr. Richardson!” a nurse yells as she rushes by.
“One moment please,” I snap at Sheila who’s been riding my ass all fucking night. I close my eyes and purse my lips before turning to face her. “Sorry, Sheila. That frustration wasn’t meant for you.”
“No worries, Doc,” she says with a smile. “The ER’s been a shitshow tonight, so I get it.”