Prying my still heavy eyelids open to slits, I notice the time displayed on the alarm clock sitting on the nightstand. Even though it’s late morning and I’m alone in bed, the last ten hours have flashed by as if I only closed my eyes minutes ago. I vaguely remember Nick climbing in behind me last night, but I can’t be sure if it really happened or if I dreamt it. Rubbing my hand over my aching forehead, there’s one thing that I remember clearly and wish I didn’t. What transpired between us when we first came back to the room, I can recall with complete clarity. Every second of his hands on me...his fingers in me and the large orgasm that capped it all off is burned into my memory for all of eternity. My entire body tingles and pulses as I think about it. I’ve never felt anything that amazing before.

Last night makes me want things I shouldn’t. The pleasure he brought me to is unparalleled and makes me want to listen to my body and not my brain for a change. I’m just not sure that’s possible. Twenty-six years of always doing the responsible thing would be a hard habit for anyone to break.

I’m completely humiliated at how I begged him to make me come. Embarrassed doesn’t even begin to cover what I’m feeling. If I never had to see Nick again I’d be okay with that. Well...maybe that’s a gross exaggeration, but I know I’m not prepared to see him again anytime soon.

The ringing of my phone breaks me out of my contemplative trance. Grabbing it from the nightstand, I stare down at the screen. It’s a phone number I don’t recognize.

“Hello.”

“Hi, this is Marcy from Dr. Banyon’s office. I’m calling to speak to Carter.”

I’ve been waiting for a call back from them about a job. I hope it’s good news. “This is she.”

“Carter, we’d like you to come in for a second interview tomorrow morning. We’ve narrowed it down to you and one other candidate. We’re hoping to have made a choice by the end of the day,” she pauses. I chew on my thumbnail waiting to hear what she has to say. “Could you come in tomorrow morning for an interview at ten?”

Crap. I’m supposed to be in New York for two more days, but I really need this job. The part time work at the coffee shop isn’t enough for me to afford my own apartment, unless I want to dip into my savings account. But that’s supposed to be for school. “Yes. I can be there,” I answer. I’ll do whatever I have to in order to make it home on time. This interview is too important to let it pass me by.

* * *

It’s not until I’m safely aboard the train, that will deliver me to the station in Westwood, Massachusetts, that I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

After I hung up with Dr. Banyon’s office I pulled up the train schedule and realized I only had ninety minutes to board the one I needed. From that moment on I was like a tornado whirling about the room, packing my things and getting myself ready. Twenty-five minutes and I was out the door, climbing into the cab that brought me to the train station. I texted Reagan on the way with the details of what had come up and mentioned that I’d call her tonight. I know she’ll be disappointed I had to leave, but she’ll understand how important this job opportunity is for me. Last year she was in the same position as me, living with our parents and slowly being driven insane. If anyone can sympathize it’s her.

I put a call into Kennedy to ask her to pick me up and she immediately agreed. Of course, she told me it would cost me all the details of the three days I spent in the city and since Westwood is about a thirty-minute ride from my parent’s house. Taking a cab would cost me more money than I can spare.

Closing my eyes, I rest my head back on the seat. My mind works overtime consumed with thoughts of Nick and his mischievous hazel eyes. Eyes that lean more toward green when he’s wearing gray and burn a deeper golden color like aged whiskey when he’s wearing black. But most of the time, they’re a fascinating compilation of various shades of green and brown, neither one more apparent than the other. His eyes remind me of the colors associated with autumn and why it’s always been my favorite season.

Shaking my head, I sit up and dig my kindle out of my bag. In the past, I’ve wasted too much time on guys who didn’t deserve it. But now I’m older and hopefully wiser. While Nick may seem like a nice guy, he’s not someone I can become involved with beyond friendship. Even that might be a stretch. Keeping the friendship line drawn firmly in the sand between us could come with a lot of headaches. I know Nick will push the boundaries for more every chance he gets. He wants to sleep with me. I’m only a challenge for him because girls never turn him down. Well this girl did and will continue to do so.

That’s my plan, anyway.

* * *

“Give me all the dirty deets about your time in the city,” Kennedy says as she navigates in and out of traffic on the highway. She changes lanes at eighty miles per hour, weaving between cars, threading the needle without a turn signal like most of the other drivers are doing. I know many people would be panicked in my situation, but not if you grew up in Massachusetts. There’s something so comforting about being home and travelling on these familiar roads; even at breakneck speeds. New York City was fun, but I’m glad to be back where I belong.

“You should know me better than that,” I reply calmly and hold my breath because there actually is something to tell.

“Why do I sense you’re trying to brush over this conversation? Tell me what happened right now or I’m going to deposit your lying ass on the side of the road.”

I snort at the image her words paint. “I hate that you know me so well. It’s not fair.”

“Hah. I know you better than I know myself which might be part of my problem.”

“This is true. How’s everything on the Mike front?”

“It’s been a quiet few days. Must be the lull before the storm. He never stays silent for long unless something is in the works.”

“Kennedy, I’m worried about you. Do you think he’d hurt you?” I question, grimacing. “I mean, more than he already has.” I’ve seen her with bruises on her arms and legs she’s tried to explain away on more than one occasion.

“No, I think his bark is worse than his bite.” She shakes her head and turns off the radio that’s softly playing in the background. “Enough about my dipshit ex; I want to hear about you. Who’s the guy and what happened?”

Chewing on my bottom lip, I ponder how much I should say.

“Just tell me,” she urges.

“You can’t tell Reagan.”

“I’m okay with that. There’s plenty she doesn’t know about my life.” She reaches up to adjust the rearview mirror. “It’s hard to share the bad shit with someone whose life is perfect.”

“I don’t think her life is perfect, but she’s definitely happier than she’s ever been. I’m glad one of us is.”

“Yeah, me too. Now, enough stalling. Get to it.”

“Fine. I spent a lot of time with Noah’s friend, Nick. I actually ended up staying with him because there was a mix-up on my reservation when I tried to check in.”

“You stayed in the same room?”

“Yep.” I fidget in my seat, shifting my weight side to side.

“And?”

“And what?”

“Fuck off. I know there’s more.”

“I hate you,” I say, smiling.

“You love me, and you know it. Stop making this conversation like pulling teeth,” she snorts. “Ba dum bum.” She drums on the steering wheel.

“Aren’t you funny?”

“Dentist humor never gets old. Are you sure you want to pursue that for a career?”

“Yep, I am.”

“You were telling me about Nick. Please continue. What’s he look like?”

Sighing as I picture him, I slide my tongue along the curve of my bottom lip. Was it less than twenty-four hours ago that his tongue was in my mouth and his fingers were buried in my pussy?

“Wow. Something good must have happened for your cheeks to be so flushed.”

“He looks like Jimmy G, the Pats former backup quarterback.”

“Really?”

“Mhm. His teeth are perfect.”

Kennedy giggles, her eyes flicking in my direction, before returning to the road in front of her.

“What?”

“You and your teeth hang-ups.”

“I like nice teeth.” I shrug.

“It’s weird.”

“I guess it’s a good thing that I like them since I’ll be working with them every day.”

“Still weird. But enough about teeth, tell me what happened you dirty girl.”

“Shut up. I’m not a dirty girl. All we did was fool around last night and then slept in the same bed. He was gone this morning when I woke up.”

“What’s your definition of fooled around?” Clothes on or off?”

“Clothes on,” I scowl. “I barely know him.”

“You’re such a prude.”

“I’m not a prude. I like sex just as much as anyone else, but I’m not going to sleep with Nick. He’s the guy you don’t get over.”

“No, you get under him instead,” she titters. “Those are the ones that are the most fun.”

“You mean like Mike? Are you having fun still? Because I’m pretty sure the fun stopped a long time ago.”

“Hey, you don’t have to throw it in my face. I never said I made solid choices when it comes to guys.”

“I’m sorry. That was a low blow.”

“Nah, it’s okay. So, tell me the rest.”

“There’s nothing else to tell. He was gone when I woke up and Reagan mentioned the guys were at the gym when I texted her earlier. I didn’t see him before I left.”

“You didn’t tell him you were leaving?”

“No way. Why would I?”

“Because you were sharing a room with the guy and it’s the polite thing to do.”

“Meh, I don’t think he’ll care. He’ll probably bring someone else back to the room now that I’m gone.” Thinking about this possibility makes my stomach churn restlessly and causes acid to burn a path up the middle of my chest like a flamethrower shooting out ignited fuel.

“Reagan would have a fit if she knew what happened. She warned him away from me at her engagement party and she told me he wasn’t someone she’d want me to get involved with.”

“Sounds like he’s a bad boy.” Kennedy wiggles her eyebrows up and down.

“I don’t know. Maybe a little, but I’m starting to wonder. He’s hot and the ladies love him, but I don’t think he’s an asshole.” I stare down at my nails. “He’s actually pretty sweet and funny. He was a perfect gentleman when we were together.”

“Not too much of a gentleman I hope.”

“No. Last night was…”

“Amazing?”

“Yeah, amazing,” I repeat. “But, I’ll probably never see him again, anyway.” I shrug as if it doesn’t bother me, but I’m lying to Kennedy and myself.