“Why do you always dress like a schoolteacher?” Veronica pranced around her bedroom in a thong with a matching red bra. Her long blonde hair flowed down her back in an unruly mane of waves and curls.

“Because I am a schoolteacher.” I sat on her bed as she walked into her closet. “And I’m not going out to find a date. I already have one.”

“Sure, but you dressed like that before you and Link even got together.” Her voice floated out of her closet and into her bedroom. “You dress like your mom.” She cursed quietly, then poked her head out of the closet. “I’m sorry. That was stupid. I was just trying to make you laugh. You know I always thought Freesia had a great sense of style, perfect for an older dame like her.”

“It’s okay.” My mother, Freesia, had passed a year ago from cancer, and my father just six months after. He’d always been so tangled up in her, their love one for the storybooks, that he seemed to fade a little more each day after her funeral. One cold fall day, he disappeared, too.

I’d mourned them in my own way, and I still thought of them every day. My mom’s green thumb was the main reason I became interested in plants when I was a child. Link and Veronica had been my support system since their passing. Veronica’s worried eyes spurred me to add, “Mom did have her own brand of style. Cornered the market on vegetable-print scarves.”

Relief washed over her face, and she ducked back into the closet. “She was a one-of-a-kind.”

“No doubt.” I stared out at the fading sunlight over the tops of the buildings across the street. Veronica and I had been roommates in college, though she focused on partying more than anything else. After a few fights over missing food and her late night booty calls, we’d managed to become best friends. Once we graduated, she’d moved to the city to work as an editorial assistant at Vogue while I settled in at Trenton.

She reappeared wearing a short black dress with slits along the waist on either side. I glanced down at my modest cream top, gray skirt, and black flats.

“Yeah, are you sure you don’t want to change?”

“I’m sure.” I lay back on her bed and followed the ducts of the heating and cooling system with my eyes. “You’re going to freeze your lady bits off in that outfit.”

“It’s Friday night, and I want to have some fun after we get done with Link and his pals.” She bent over and zipped up some stiletto-heeled boots. “I’m still single, ready to mingle. How are things with Link, anyway?”

“They’re fine.” I drummed my fingers on my stomach.

“Fine?” She sat next to me. “That’s what people say when I ask them how their trip to pick up dry-cleaning went, not what you should say when I’m asking about your boyfriend.”

Guilt cascaded through me. “I meant they’re great. Things are going well at his job, and we spend time together whenever we can. He’s been really patient with me on the whole sex thing, so that’s good.”

“Why are you still holding out?” She lay next to me, both of us staring at the ceiling.

“I don’t know.” I shrugged.

“Don’t you want to do it?”

“Yes. We’ve gotten pretty hot and heavy a few times. He’s gorgeous and kind…”

“But? There’s definitely a but in there.” She grabbed my hand and laced our fingers together. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong per se. I just don’t want to make a mistake. If I take that final step, I feel like he’ll turn up the pressure on me moving to the city and giving up my job at Trenton.”

“That’s a valid concern.” She squeezed my fingers. “Once he gets a hit of that pussy, he’ll want it all the time.”

I laughed. “Thanks, V. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I guess I’m just being too cautious.” There was no way I was going to tell her about Sebastian. Though she was hiding it, she never cared too much for Link. Any possibility—even one as remote as Sebastian—would flip her busybody switch.

“You do you. If you’re not ready, then he can wait. He’s done a good job so far.”

“Right. Do you think he’s going to get mad about the Amazon trip?” I’d already told Veronica all about it. We talked at least twice a week and texted constantly. She’d encouraged me to fill out the expedition forms and return them so that I’d be all set to make my dream come true.

“Maybe, but if he loves you, then he’ll want you to go.”

Do you want him to love you? I swatted the unwanted thought away. Of course I wanted it. “I’ll talk it over with him tonight.”

“Good. Winter break will be here before you know it. I can’t wait to go shopping and buy all the shorty-shorts in this city for you to wear on your tropical vacay.”

I snorted. “I’ll be working the entire time. Maybe climbing trees, maybe providing analysis on the ground. And have I mentioned all the bugs? I’m not sure shorty-shorts are a wise choice.”

“Wrong.” She sat up. “Shorty-shorts are always the perfect choice.”

“Would it do any good for me to argue?”

“None.” She slapped my thigh. “Now let’s get going. I need liquor in these veins stat.”

The Slush Bar was already buzzing by the time Veronica and I walked in. Only one block from Link’s office building, the spot was perfect for after-work drinks. Patrons sat on benches along the mirrored walls and at the high-top tables scattered through the dark space. Music bumped and whined in the background to a techno beat. The bar was crowded, but Link waved us over to where he and Hal were stationed.

Link pulled me into his arms, his familiar aftershave washing over me. “I feel like it’s been months since I’ve seen you.” His hands roved to my ass and squeezed.

I jumped and stared up into his eyes. “Are you drunk?”

“Nah.” He pointed to a stack of empty shot glasses on the bar. “Just a little pre-gaming before you ladies arrived.” He glanced over to Veronica. “Nice to see you.”

“Sure.”

“Holy smokes.” Hal grinned. “Who do we have here?” He gave Veronica a once-over.

“Nothing for you.” She slid past Link and whistled to the bartender.

“Spicy, I like it.” Hal slid his credit card to the bartender. “Whatever she wants, man.”

Link leaned down to my neck, his warm lips leaving wet kisses. “Missed you.”

“I missed you, too.” I stood on my tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “Let me talk to Hal for a minute?”

“Right, the plan.” He slid his hands to my waist and dropped a final kiss on my lips. “I need to hit the head,” he announced far more loudly than necessary, then walked toward the back of the bar.

I slid onto the stool next to Hal.

He pried his gaze away from Veronica. “If I’d know you had friends like that, I would have insisted on taking you all for drinks a lot sooner.”

I couldn’t tell if it was a compliment, so I just smiled and nodded. Veronica slid a cocktail in front of me—something in a martini glass with curls of lemon and orange hanging along the sides.

“How are things at Trenton? Did you tell Mint I said hi?” He yanked down his wide tie and undid the button at his thick throat.

“I’m glad you mentioned him. Can I ask you something?” I sipped my drink. It wasn’t bad, just a bit tart.

“Shoot.” He clinked his lowball glass to mine.

I decided to cut to the chase. “Has anything changed over the past few months? Maybe with Mint’s parents?”

He set his glass down before taking a drink, then twisted it in a circle. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know.” I kept my tone light. “Just anything going on at home.”

“No.” He took a big swallow, then held up his finger to order another.

I leaned closer, though I didn’t enjoy getting in his space. “I was just curious. Mint is a particular favorite of mine, and I want to make sure he’s getting the best education possible at Trenton.”

He smiled, though the look was strained, and shook his head. “No, nothing I know of. Everything’s fine at home.”

“Okay. I was just curious.”

He fumbled his glass. “I mean, his parents are busy. My brother is out of the country a lot. So, Rhonda gets left alone here in the city.” His wide cheeks started to flush, and understanding dawned in my mind. Hal and Mint’s mother must have been having an affair.

He looked away. “Why do you ask? Did he say something?” His fingers tightened around his glass.

“No.” I leaned back. “I’m probably being over-protective. I sometimes go overboard when looking out for students. Sort of an occupational hazard for me.”

“Right.” He seemed to relax. “Yeah, Mint’s fine. Don’t worry about him.”

I sipped my drink. Mint must have found out somehow, which led to his falling grades and bad attitude.

Link reappeared and clapped Hal on the back. “Let’s get another round.”

Hal’s mood lightened, and he drained his glass. “I’m all for it.”