Chapter Seven #3
Carly swallowed, then groaned, feeling as if she’d time traveled back to high school. “What’re you going to do next? Ask me if I want one of you to slip Owen a note that asks if he like likes me?”
“That could work,” Lainey teased.
“No, I haven’t asked him if he’s interested, and I don’t intend to. What I need is suggestions on how to get him to listen. I need to get the situation back under control.”
“Are you saying you had it under control at one time?” Reese asked, trying not to laugh.
“Smart-ass. Some best friend you are,” Carly snapped.
“I’d take that as a no she’s never had it under control,” Samantha added.
“No, need to pile on,” Carly said.
“What’s the problem? I’d love to have an attractive man dropping by work to see me.” Reese heaved a huge, exaggerated sigh.
“That’s easy for you to say because it wouldn’t interfere with your job since you run a bar and restaurant,” Carly shot back.
“And yet, I can’t get a date. You think with all the men coming into The True-Blue I’d at least have one every couple months, but noooo.” Reese stretched out the last word in Steve Martin fashion.
Lainey ignored Reese’s pitiful, poor-me look, and said, “Tell Owen you just want to be friends. That you’re not interested in him romantically. That usually gets rid of a guy fast.”
Addie, who despite their earlier conversation had sat quietly, pinned Carly with a pointed gaze filled with concern, but for her or Owen? Maybe both? “If you’re not interested in him, you really should tell him.”
Instead of answering, Carly reached for her wineglass, but changed her mind for fear she’d grab the stem so tight she’d shatter it. “Other suggestions?”
Reese eyed her as only a best friend could, with a look that said she wasn’t buying it. “What’s the problem with telling Owen you’re not into him? Is there a reason you don’t want to? Say, because you’re a terrible liar and that’s what you’d be doing if you said you weren’t attracted to him?”
Carly glared at Reese. Why couldn’t she have a friend who had the perception of a pet rock? “What matters is Owen’s a client, and how would it look if we got involved?”
“I don’t see why anyone would think it was a big deal,” Samantha said.
“Seriously? You don’t think anyone, especially my board, would see it was inappropriate or a conflict of interest?” While the main problem, it wasn’t the only one. She had more reasons not to date Owen than Texas had fire ants. “Forget I asked, because I’m not getting involved with Owen.”
When she dated again, she wanted to move forward, not revisit the past with an old flame. Especially one whose life was a bigger mess than her own. He’d suffered a major life trauma, was dealing with health issues, and could be forced to undergo a career change.
A stubborn look on her face, Carly’s best friend said, “You may want to forget the question, but too bad. I’m going to answer anyway.
I agree with Samantha. No one will think twice about you and Owen dating, especially considering you were high school sweethearts.
” Reese turned to Addie. “What do you think?”
“Carly, what you need to decide is if you’re interested. If you’re not, that’s one thing, but if you are, then I agree that it shouldn’t be a problem,” Addie said.
“Some help y’all are.” Instead of offering solutions, they confused her more. “Entering a relationship with a guy who’s suffered a major trauma with a life possibly in transition is never smart,” Carly insisted.
“So, don’t have a relationship.” Reese flashed air quotes around the last word. “Have a wild fling instead.”
Carly rolled her eyes. “Sure, because affairs are simple, never go wrong, and always end amicably.”
“Everything has a risk but think about this. Scientists say sex is beneficial for our health, and the lack of an active sex life could have negative consequences,” Reese continued.
“For example, during sex, the heart rate goes from seventy beats per minute to one hundred-fifty. That’s as good as exercising.
One study said having sex twice a week could reduce the chance of a heart attack by fifty percent. ”
Her friends burst out laughing and kept chuckling until they were doubled over and near exhaustion.
Once Carly could talk again, she wiped the tears from her eyes and said, “My side hurts from laughing so hard. Reese, only you, could spout statistics in support of having a no-strings-attached fling.”
“I bet she made the heart attack fact up,” Samantha said.
Clearly insulted, Reese said, “No, I didn’t. I read it in an article online.”
“Then it must be true,” Addie teased.
“Right, no one lies online,” Lainey added.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s true or not. Am I the only one who thinks the idea of having an affair with Owen is bat ass crazy?” Carly asked as she glanced at her friends, hoping for support.
Addie twisted her wedding ring. “None of us know how much time we have. I say there’s nothing wrong with spending time with a man if you enjoy his company.”
“Quit worrying about whether he’s Mr. Right, and have fun. That’s what I say, and if you’re not interested in Owen, can I have him?” Reese asked, her tone and facial expression serious.
“He’s not the last piece of pizza,” Carly snapped, her voice biting instead of light and joking as she intended. But the thought of Owen having a relationship with Reese left her greener than when she’d gotten food poisoning from eating bad sushi.