Gaining Miles (Miles Family #5)(11)

“Thank you.” Zoe lifted her glass. “What should we toast to?”

“To being passionate, sensual women,” Naomi said, smiling at me.

“I can definitely toast to that,” Zoe said, and we all clinked our glasses. “Is there something you need to share with the class, Shannon?”

“No, but Naomi recently started dating someone.”

“Congratulations,” Zoe said, raising her glass again. “You certainly deserve a good man.”

“Thank you,” Naomi said with a smile. “I agree.”

Zoe tilted her head and looked at me, blinking a few times.

“What?” I asked.

“I’m just wondering when you’re going to wake up and realize that you deserve a good man, too.”

“Zoe Miles, we’ve had this conversation,” I said. “You know how I feel about it.”

“But how do you feel about him?”

“Him?” Naomi asked, her eyebrows lifting. “Him, who?”

Zoe pursed her lips and blinked at me again.

“We’re good friends,” I said. “That’s all.”

“Mm-hmm,” Zoe said.

“Oh, I know who you’re talking about,” Naomi said, lowering her voice. “Shannon, you didn’t tell me you had a thing for Ben.”

“What makes you think I do?”

Zoe snorted.

“Why wouldn’t you?” Naomi asked. “He’s handsome and sweet. And he obviously likes you.”

“As I said, he’s a good friend.”

Zoe put her hand over mine. “Shannon, you’re a very smart woman, but you’ve been out of the game too long. That man does not like you as a friend.”

Feeling suddenly flustered—why was my heart beating so hard?—I took a drink so I wouldn’t have to reply. What could I say to that? Ben was a friend, and it was silly of me to hope for more.

Was that what this feeling was? This fluttering in my stomach and warmth in my cheeks? Was this hope?

“You’re blushing and don’t blame the wine,” Zoe said. “Come on, Shannon. You know you want that big rugged man between your legs.”

“Zoe!”

She laughed. “What? Don’t give me that I’m too old line. You’re not. If I have to give up sex when I’m fifty-seven, I’m going to be pissed.”

“I realize I’m not too old to sleep with someone. Everything still works. But it’s more complicated than that.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” Zoe said.

“You could start slow,” Naomi said. “Besides, there’s a lot we missed out on when we were younger.”

“Like what?” I asked.

“Sexting,” Naomi said.

Zoe nodded. “Oh, yeah.”

“Sexting?”

“Yeah, sexting is when you and—”

“I know,” I said, putting a hand up to stop Zoe from giving me the definition. “I’m aware of what sexting is.”

“But you’ve never done it,” Naomi said. “Sexy texts can be really fun.”

I wasn’t about to admit it to these two, but I did feel like I’d missed out on a few things. Sexy texts did sound fun.

“I know what you need,” Zoe said.

I eyed her for a second. “I’m afraid to even ask.”

Naomi sipped her wine, looking amused.

“A spa day,” Zoe said.

“You think I need a spa day?”

She nodded. “Some skin treatments, maybe a massage. A wax. Things to make you feel pretty and ready to get naked.”

“A wax?” I asked. “Do I really need a wax to get naked with someone?”

Naomi shrugged. “I started waxing. It’s very nice.”

“I’m not cut out for this.”

“Relax,” Zoe said. “You don’t have to get a wax to get naked with Ben. He’ll be into you no matter what. Besides, if I had to guess, I’d bet he’s a fan of the natural look. Just trim it up a little and you’ll be fine. Viva la bush.”

“I can’t believe I’m having this conversation with you.”

Zoe grinned.

“And I’m not getting naked with anyone,” I said. “Especially Benjamin.”

“See, right there,” Zoe said, pointing at me with her wine. “You always call him by his full name. You’re the only one who does. You realize that, don’t you?”

“The first time we met, he introduced himself as Benjamin,” I said. “So yes, I’ve always called him that. What’s your point?”

“That there’s something between you two,” Zoe said. “And it’s okay if you stop denying it.”

I wanted to tell her that I wasn’t denying anything. But that would have been a lie. I’d been denying my feelings for Ben for a long time.

“I wouldn’t know where to begin,” I said, my voice soft. “It’s literally been decades since I dated. I feel like I’ve lived a lifetime since then and everything is different. I’m different. I’m older, I’ve had four children, been through a horrible divorce. Those things left their mark.”