27. Abbie
27
ABBIE
M y fingers trace the rim of my coffee mug as memories from last night flood back. The way Donovan's dark eyes kept finding mine across the table, that slight curl of his lip when our gazes met. What the hell is wrong with me? Corey was right there, being perfect as always, and all I could think about was his best friend's forearms flexing as he cut into his steak.
"Earth to Abbie?" Tessa waves her hand in front of my face. "You've been stirring that coffee for five minutes."
"Sorry, just... thinking."
"About silver fox?"
I hesitate. Is Tessa ready for this? "Actually... about his friend."
"Wait, what?" Tessa plops down across from me. "God girl, what's going on with you? Spill."
"He kept looking at me all night. And not in a 'checking out someone else’s girl' way. More like...like he wanted to claim me."
"While on a date with someone else? Lady, you're becoming absolutely scandalous."
"I know I should feel guilty, but..." I groan, dropping my head to the table. "Those arms, Tess. And his voice? It's all sexy and deep and... fuck."
"Sounds like someone's got it bad."
"I'd probably do something really stupid if he gave me the chance." The admission comes too easily. "Like, climb-him-like-a-tree stupid."
"Girl!" Tessa cackles. "What happened to sweet, responsible Abbie?"
"She apparently died the moment Donovan Robinson smiled at her across a breadbasket." I take a sip of my now-cold coffee. "Is it terrible that I'm kind of hoping I run into him at work?"
"But that's not even the worst part." I cradle my mug closer. "After dinner, Corey drove me home and..."
"And?" Tessa leans forward, eyes sparkling.
"He kissed me goodnight. Like, really kissed me."
"Details, bitch!"
"God, Tess. His hands were gentle, but there was this intensity behind it. Like he was holding back." My skin tingles just thinking about it. "And when he pulled away, he thanked me for coming out with him. Such a gentleman, but I could tell there was something seriously naughty underneath."
"Sounds perfect." Tessa narrows her eyes. "So why do you seem upset right now?"
"Because I can't stop thinking about Seth either." I cover my eyes with my palms. "The way he focused on me that night with both of them. And now Donovan too? What the fuck is happening to me?"
"You're finally living a little."
"But I don't want to mess things up with Corey. He's amazing. Sweet, successful, treats me like I'm the most beautiful thing he's ever seen."
"But?"
"But Seth makes me feel wild. Dangerous." I drop my voice. "And now Corey's best friend Donovan stirs up something completely different. I'm all over the place."
"Honey." Tessa reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. "You spent five years being Chandler's good little girlfriend. Maybe it's time to explore what you actually want."
"I want all of it." The admission rushes out in a whisper. "The sweetness with Corey, the excitement with Seth. Danger with Donovan. Is that terrible?"
"It's honest." Tessa grins. "And honestly? A lot more interesting than the roommate from two months ago."
Tessa hops up from the table, pulling eggs and butter from the fridge. The familiar sizzle of the pan fills our kitchen as I watch her move around with practiced ease.
"So let's break this down logically." She cracks three eggs into a bowl. "Corey's already proven he's open to sharing, right? With Seth?"
"Yeah, but that's different. Seth's his business partner, they have history."
"And Donovan's his best friend." She whisks the eggs with a fork. "Known him even longer, from what you said."
My cheeks burn. "But what if bringing it up ruins everything? What if Corey thinks I'm some kind of... I don't know."
"Insatiable sex goddess?" Tessa pours the eggs into the pan. "Pretty sure that ship sailed when you jumped into the threesome scene."
"This is different though." I trace patterns in the condensation on my mug. "Seth was Corey's idea. If I suggest Donovan..."
"Then you're taking initiative. Showing him what you want." She slides perfectly fluffy eggs onto two plates. "Besides, you told me how Donovan was looking at you. Sounds like that man would climb over broken glass just to get a taste."
"God, Tess!" But I can't help smiling. "He did seem... interested."
"I'm sure interested is an understatement." She sets a plate in front of me. "I'll bet he was mentally undressing you all night. Poor what's-her-name didn't stand a chance."
"Mindy," I mumble around a bite of eggs. "And yeah, he barely looked at her."
"See? The attraction's there. Now you just need to see if Corey would be into it."
"How do I even begin to bring that up?" I stab at my eggs. "'Remember how hot it was with Seth? What about adding your best friend to the mix?'"
"Why not? Worked once already." Tessa winks. "Sometimes the direct approach is best."
I can't focus. My mind keeps drifting back to last night - the way Donovan's muscles flexed under his shirt, how his eyes seemed to undress me across the table. Tessa's voice fades to background noise as heat floods my cheeks.
"Earth to Abbie. What's going on?"
I snap back to reality, face burning hotter. "I'm sorry, what were you saying?"
"Girl, you'll need to keep your head in the game if you don't want this whole thing to fall apart. I'm behind you, no matter what you decide. Hell, maybe one of these boys will take an interest in me if you cast them aside."
I wave my hand, smiling as I catch Tessa's cheeky wink. "You're terrible. Love you, but I'm not so sure I can share with you."
Seth's confident smirk flashes through my mind. The way he watched me with Corey that night, how his presence made everything more electric. And now Donovan... God, what is going on with me? Normal people don't fantasize about their boyfriend's best friend while trying to learn about cognitive behavioral therapy.
My phone moves across the counter - probably Corey checking in. Sweet, thoughtful Corey who deserves better than a girlfriend mentally undressing his friends. The guilt twists in my stomach, mixing with an excitement I can't quite squash.
I must be broken somehow. Or maybe this is what happens when you spend years suppressing yourself to be the "good girlfriend" Chandler wanted. Now all those pent-up desires are exploding out at once, aimed at three incredibly hot older men who probably see right through my attempts at sophistication.
I need to get my head straight before work tonight. But how am I supposed to excel at mixing drinks when I can't stop imagining Donovan's hands on my skin? Or wondering if Seth might show up at work again?
Maybe Tessa's right - I am changing. Before, I would never even consider juggling multiple men. I used to be safe. Predictable. Boring.
I'm not sure I want to be that person anymore.