California Girls(87)

A question she knew the answer to, but asking it wasn’t going to help her one bit.

“White wine gives me a headache,” she lied, looking regretful.

Chip immediately flagged a server. “No problem. I’ll know for next time.”

She forced a smile, thinking she would rather prep for a colonoscopy than go on another date.

He handed back the white wine, ordered red, then leaned closer. “Did you hear that Steve and his wife are expecting twins? That’s got to be great for them, and terrifying.”

Steve was the local evening weather guy. “I hadn’t heard. Thanks for telling me. I’ll be sure to send them something.”

At least one marriage was working, she thought, trying not to feel bitter.

“Everything okay?” Chip asked.

She held in a sigh. “Sorry. I’m struggling a little here. I feel so awkward.”

His expression was serious. “Is it because I’m so good-looking?”

The unexpected question surprised her. She burst out laughing. “No, it’s not that.”

“Hey, you could have at least thought about it for a moment.” His voice was teasing. “I’m genuinely crushed.”

“You’ll get over it.”

“Not without years of therapy.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “My heart is shattered.”

“No one believes you.”

He smiled at her. “Okay, so here’s the thing. I know you’re going through some stuff. It takes a while to get back out there. I’m glad you agreed to meet me, so I’m going to mentally give myself high fives all night, but that’s as far as it goes. I’m going to spend the next ten or so minutes talking about myself so you can figure out how uncomfortable you are and if you want to stay or bolt. Then we’ll assess and take it from there.”

The server appeared with her wine. Finola took her glass and stared at Chip.

“I don’t think you’ve been married before,” she said slowly. “So this incredible insight into the separated woman’s psyche must come from practice.”

“Years of it.”

“You like women who are newly separated or divorced.”

“Guilty,” he said cheerfully. “It’s the sex. Revenge sex is very in right now and I’m happy to be the means of making that happen. So if you want to get back at Nigel, let me be clear. I’m all in.” He leaned close. “I mean that in every sense of the words, for as long as you want, Finola.”

She tried not to laugh. “I don’t know if I should be impressed or appalled.”

“I’d say impressed, but it’s not up to me. Oh, and just so you know, I don’t overlap. It’s one woman at a time for me. Nothing serious, of course, but I am monogamous.”

“For both minutes?” she asked drily.

He winced. “I’m more of a twenty-minute guy.”

“That’s what they all say.” She sipped her wine. “Now tell me about yourself.”

Chip talked about growing up in San Bernardino and how he had always been interested in sports. She nodded at what she hoped were all the right places even as her mind began to wander.

Chip was a nice enough guy. He was more fun than she’d expected and plenty good-looking, but she didn’t want to be here. Nothing about this felt right. In her heart, she wanted to be with Nigel and in her gut, she felt like she was cheating. Even her head, which was starting to believe her marriage was at the bleeding-out stage, wasn’t the least bit intrigued by Chip.

She’d rather be home watching TV or reading or doing anything that wasn’t having a drink with a man. She wasn’t ready. She wasn’t interested.

She interrupted him midsentence. “Chip, I’m sorry but I can’t do this.”

“I understand. If you change your mind, you know how to reach me.”

She didn’t, but Rochelle did, which was enough. She nodded.

They both stood. Chip tossed a couple of bills on the table, then escorted her outside. He handed her ticket to the valet, then returned to her side, where he put a hand on the small of her back and leaned close.

“Let me know when you’re ready for revenge sex,” he murmured. “No strings. Just me making you happy while you punish the bastard who cheated on you. You’ll like it, Finola. I promise.”

She got in her car and waved, then merged into traffic to start the journey home. At the first stoplight, she felt tears on her cheek.

She was sure he’d meant his words to be sexy or even tempting, but to her they felt like a slap across her face. Worse, his words shamed her, because this was what her life had become.

The magic of Ali’s weekend with Daniel lasted right up until they got back to his place and walked into the house. Daniel set both their bags on the living room floor and looked at her, as if asking what happened next.

They’d had an amazing time at the hotel. They’d ordered in dinner, sipping champagne and enjoying their meal while dressed in fluffy robes. Later, they’d made love again, this time in the big bed in the master, where they’d spent the night. Every time Ali had woken up, she’d felt Daniel pressed up against her, his arm around her waist.

Sunday morning they’d slept late, then gone on a leisurely bike ride before heading to brunch, followed by the drive home. She’d loved every second with him, but was also still trying to take it all in. Six weeks ago, she’d thought he didn’t like her very much. Now they were involved and he’d made it clear he’d had a thing for her from the start. She needed a second to catch her breath.