Five Ways to Fall (Ten Tiny Breaths, #4)(56)

“I saw some ginger in Mason’s drawer. Should I take that?” Yes, Mason has his own drawer in the refrigerator. And yes, he’ll have a mild coronary when he discovers I’ve rifled through it.

Lina’s loud sigh of exasperation answers before her words do. “Ginger must be taken before you get sick. You know, if you’re going to take anything raw, take garlic.”

“Is that another one of your weird Korean things?”

“No, it’s a weird naturopathic thing.” With her flat tone, Lina comes off as patronizing at times, especially to those who don’t know her. “I usually cover a piece of bread in it to make it more palatable.”

“There’s no bread in this house except for Mason’s rice bread, and it makes me gag,” I grumble.

I swear I can hear the eye roll crackle over the speaker. “I forgot how irritating you get when you’re sick.”

“Can’t you just bring me something?”

“Not for a few hours. I have client meetings all day. Have you tried Nicki?”

“She’s an hour outside of the city today.”

“Jack? Mason?”

“Jack’s in court, and Mason? Really? He won’t come in here without a hazmat suit. Don’t be surprised if you have another roommate for the week.” I release a series of guttural moans and groans to amplify my misery. When I’ve finally shut up—I’m starting to annoy even myself—Lina says, “So, there’s this guy at work that I think you’d like.”

“Oh my God, Lina. Now is not the right time.”

She goes on, ignoring me completely. She and Nicki are champions at that. “I was thinking we could go on a double date this Saturday. You and him, me and Mason.”

“No.”

“Because of Ben, right? You guys are dating?”

I sigh. “No. There is nothing going on between Ben and me.” Nothing real. Although, the idea of him playing my fake boyfriend does have an appeal.

“Really. Nothing at all.” Her words are thick with doubt.

“Nothing, Lina. I’m still a bitter old hag and Ben would bust out some serious Houdini moves if he even heard the word ‘date.’ Plus, he’s not my type! You know that.” Lina has seen the kind of guys I’m attracted to. Broody guys on bikes, with tats; lean, dark, and shaggy-haired. Stick a big, blond grinning ex–football player who knows about oranges into the lineup and all I hear is Big Bird singing, “One of these things is not like the others.”

“I know, but, come on. You don’t find him the least bit attractive? Because I think he is. Nicki thinks he is. Even Mason admitted he’d totally be into him, if he were gay.”

Because picturing Mason with Lina wasn’t bad enough . . . Keeping my eyes open is a struggle and so I don’t bother. Maybe I’ll talk myself into unconsciousness. “Yeah, he’s attractive.” I add begrudgingly, “He’s freaking hot, actually. And he’s an amazing kisser. And he knows it. He’s a bit of a jackass, but nothing a piece of duct tape can’t fix.”

“And? Has he disturbed those cobwebs that he’s not allowed to disturb?” Obviously Mason has told Lina about the no-dating policy, so I’m not sure what answer she wants to hear.

“We fooled around a bit, but otherwise, Charlotte’s web is still safe and secure.” I’d be lying if I said things didn’t feel different after this past weekend. Seeing him with that stripper yesterday bugged me. It’s not because I have some deep feminist reaction to seeing a woman who sells her body. I was more interested in how many times he has slept with her, if he’s still sleeping with her, and how I can get him to stop sleeping with her.

“Well, don’t do anything to get yourself or him fired. Mason’s really worried about that. He likes Ben, but he knows him pretty well.”

“Jack would never fire me.”

“Reese . . .”

“I’m not going to get Ben fired,” I mutter with annoyance, adding, “but thank you for thinking so highly of your best friend.”

“I’m serious. I don’t want you getting all bitter if something doesn’t work out.”

“You’re safe. I’m all bittered out. Plus, are you kidding me? I don’t want a relationship with Ben! He’s like a bad rash that won’t go away half the time.”

“Okay, good. Well, you know, Nicki’s sister is doing those passion parties now. You should order something through her.”

I sigh. “My best friend is suggesting I resort to a vibrator at twenty-one? You’ve completely given up on me. That’s wonderful.”

“I’ll second that idea,” a familiar male voice suddenly teases, inches away. My eyes flash open to find big blue irises and an enormous grin hovering over me. So I do what any normal young woman half passed out with the flu would do when she’s surprised by a guy in her bedroom. I let out a yelp as my hand flies out to connect with his nose.

“Jesus, Reese!” Ben jumps back, one hand going up to protect against further attack while the other cups his face.

“Shit,” I mutter as I see a small trickle of blood run out one nostril.

He looks down at his blood-coated finger in shock. “You think?”

“Reese?” comes Lina’s wary voice.