“It’s just sex, you know?” I finally answered Lacey’s question. “I mean, both times were good. Really good. But I don’t really know him. Years ago I thought he was hot. I annoyed him and my brother. They had a falling out. And that was that. It’s not like Jacob and I were close or anything.”

Lacey nodded. Her mojito was almost finished. She was drinking fast. She didn’t often get to go out without Liam and she liked to make the most of our time together.

“But he’s hot,” I quickly added, stating the obvious. “And good in bed. He’s so attractive, I don’t know how I’m going to stay away from him. I probably should, given the state of his public image right now and the fact that I’m the one who’s supposed to fix it.”

Lacey chuckled. “I know just how hard that can be, trust me,” she said.

She’d been Hanson’s PR manager when they’d met. It was amazing and awesome that they had a family together now. That said everything about how hard it had to be to stay away from the football players we were helping.

We sat in silence, sipping on our drinks and listening to music that blared over the speakers for a while. The place was full enough to be social but not so much that it was crowded. I liked it when it was like this, just right.

“Are you going to do it again?”  Lacey asked.

I glanced up at her. I wanted to do it again. Badly.

“I don’t know if it’s a good idea,” I said. “You know, with publicity and all that.”

Lacey shrugged. “Obviously, it’s not. But that hasn’t stopped me.” She laughed. “I don’t think you can really decide this kind of thing. If it happens, it happens.”

I nodded. I guessed that was true. It had been like that with me and Jacob. I hadn’t planned on sleeping with him and on a beach of all places. It wasn’t the kind of thing I usually did. But I hadn’t been able to resist him, so I knew exactly how it was.

“That’s what happened with Hanson, too. One moment, I was working with him, the next, we were going at it, and before I knew what was happening, I had myself a life partner. And I can’t be happier.”

I shook my head. “No, no, that’s not what this is,” I said.

Lacey chuckled. “That was a strong reaction.”

“It was,” I said. “He’s not my Mr. Right. I have way too much going in my life right now to deal with a boyfriend. You know how I feel about dating.”

“I know, I know. You don’t have time for that kind of thing.”

I nodded. “Who does? I don’t know how people make time for relationships. I have my hands full as it is.”

Lacey shrugged. “I felt the same, but I guess if it’s really worth it, you make time, you know?”

I guessed that was true. “I just really can’t deal with that right now, not on top of this shit with Kyle.”

“What’s happening with that?”  Lacey asked.

I groaned and waved at Steve, the bartender, for another mojito. If I was going to talk about my brother, I was going to need another drink.”

“So, he’s living with me now because he got evicted. I told you,” I said. Lacey nodded. “But it’s not just that. It’s about his drinking and the whole probation thing as well. He got three months because of the public drinking stunt he pulled. There are also claims of harassment against a police officer.”

Lacey shook her head. “He was such a good guy.”

I sighed. “Yeah. I just wish he would pull himself back together already. I know it was hard for him when he didn’t get scouted. It was a big disappointment, but it’s been years now. Surely, he could have found a new dream by now?”

“You should let him sort his own life out. He’s not your son,” Lacey said.

I nodded. “I know, but I can’t just leave him hanging. He’s my brother.”

Lacey nodded. I knew she understood, but I also understood what she was saying. Kyle was a big boy. He should have been able to pull his own life together by now.

I was just tired. I didn’t want to keep looking after him, wondering where he was all the time and what he would do next that would make things harder for me. He understood that everything he did would just make things worse for him in the long run. At least, I think he did, But it was almost like he’d just switched himself off, and he didn’t care anymore.

That hurt me. We were so attached in so many ways. I felt his pain on another level, and I was tired. I was emotionally exhausted, and I was tired of having to keep my life going in the right direction while picking up the pieces for him all the time. I really hoped he didn’t find out about Jacob and me, or things would definitely get a lot worse.

“He’ll figure it out, Kina,” Lacey said. I realized she’d been watching me as I stared into my drink, thinking.

I sighed. “I hope you’re right. I really do.”

My phone rang, and I fished in my handbag for it. When I pulled it out, Jacob’s name flashed on my caller ID. A thrill ran through my body, and I fought the urge to smile.

“Sorry, Lace,” I said. “I have to take this.”

She nodded. I pressed the phone against my ear and blocked the other ear to hear better.

“Hey, sexy,” Jacob said. His voice was low. “What are you doing?”

“I’m with Lacey,” I said.

“Oh, that’s a shame. I’d rather you be with me.”

He’d been drinking. I could tell by the way he dragged out his words.

“Do you want to come over?”  he asked.

“Now?”

I glanced at Lacey. She was looking around the bar, but I had the feeling her attention as still on me, listening to what I was saying. I wanted to go. But I was here with Lacey, and I couldn’t just dump her and run.

“Yeah,” Jacob drawled. “Come on, baby. Let’s make a night of it.”

He really was drunk. He wanted sex. My stomach tightened at the thought, and it was suddenly harder to breathe. I wanted him, too. The desire was almost instant.

“I’ll see what I can do,” I said.

I hung up before he could say anything else, before he could change my mind and get me to leave Lacey right now and run to him.

“What was that?” Lacey asked.

“It was Jacob. He wanted to know how to handle his team members. He’s struggling a bit to fit in, and he’s panicked about it.”

I was lying, of course. It was none of that. But I wanted to go to him. I wanted to leave, but I didn’t want Lacey to feel like I was pushing her away.

“Okay, are you going to go?” Lacey asked.

I shook my head. “We’re spending time together.”

“No, man. If it’s an emergency, you should go. Go, sort it out. I know better than anyone how these celebrities can mess up. They don’t exactly take working hours into account.”

I smiled. “You’re sure?” I asked.

Lacey nodded. “Positive. Besides, Hanson will be glad to have me home early.”

“Thanks, Lace,” I said, feeling only a little guilty that I’d lied to her to get out of our night and run to Jacob. The desire was stronger than my remorse, though. I pulled out a handful of bills and put it on the counter.

“I got this one,” I said.

Lacey started to protest, but I hugged her.

“Next time, you pay,” I said and walked toward the exit.

I was ready to go to him right now. I was dressed in skintight jeans and a wine-red top with a scooped neckline. It was the kind of outfit you wore out with your friend when you were talking about life. The kind you wore on a date. Or the kind you wore when you were on your way to a man’s house when you knew he was after one thing.

But I wanted that, too. I was happy with the idea of “no strings attached” because that suited me just fine.

It really does suit me just fine, I reminded myself, as my heart sped up at the thought of seeing Jacob, even though I wish it would leave itself out of this. No strings attached is just fine.

I wanted other parts of my body to do the thinking, and not my damn heart.