Page 19 of My Last Fling

I close my eyes, bracing myself for ridicule.

“He keeps talking about his mother,” I say, trying to be tactful.

“So?” he says. “He loves his mom. That’s a good thing. They say you can tell a lot about a man by how he treats his mother.”

“I think he loves his mother a littletoomuch, if you know what I mean.”

I hear another snort. This time I’m certain he’s laughing and trying to hide it from me.

“Seriously?”

“What?” he asks. “I sneezed.”

“You forget I’ve heard your scream-sneeze before. That wasn’t it,” I say.

“I do not scream,” he argues. “It’s more of a manly shout.”

“Whatever. Are you going to come get me, or not?”

“I’m not sure I should,” he says. “What if he’s just nervous? He might be your soulmate. You should give him more of a chance.”

I resist the urge to let out an exasperated screech. “Cole, he’s definitely not my soulmate,” I say.

I’m beyond whispering at this point. I don’t care if every woman in the bathroom hears my conversation at this point. If it means Cole will come and get me out of here, it’s worth a little embarrassment.

I sigh. “He’s getting really touchy. I keep moving away, but he’s not getting the hint.”

“He touched you without your consent?” Cole’s voice has lost all humor now. He sounds almost angry.

“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” I say. “And it’s more that he keeps crowding me, invading my personal space. I don’t get rapey vibes if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“You know vibes can lie, right?” he says. “Even the nicest seeming guys can be pieces of shit.”

“I know that, too,” I say. “And I appreciate your worry. But I get the feeling he’s the type who needs to ask his mother permission first.”

He barks out a laugh, not even attempting to hide it this time. I can’t help it. I smile.

“Stop laughing,” I say, glad he can’t see my smile.

“Oh, come on,” Cole says. “This shit is hilarious, and you know it.”

“Fine,” I say. “It’s funny. You happy now?”

“A little,” he says. “How do you want me to play this?”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“You said you want me to come get you, right? That’s why you called.”

“Obviously,” I hiss. “I can’t let him take me to a secondary location. That’s how they get you.”

He laughs. “Okay, no more true crime for you.”

“It might be saving my life tonight,” I say.

“Do you want jealous husband or distraught family member?”

I roll my eyes. Of course, he’d go for something dramatic. “How about a work emergency?”