CHAPTER 15 #2
Alexis speared a piece of carne asada. “That’s all good, but I wouldn’t wait more than a month to pick one. And definitely don’t sleep with them.”
Claire looked down at her plate.
Alexis stared at her. “Ah. Has the train left the station?”
Sam giggled. “You’re trying them out? Who are you, and what have you done with my friend Claire?”
“Only one of them. It sort of … happened.”
Alexis’s eyes narrowed. “There are a lot of steps until it happens.”
“Yeah, well, it was in Vegas. I was with Sylvia on a pity trip and got carried away.”
Literally.
Kira giggled. “Of course, you were with Sylvia. I’m surprised she didn’t drag you into an all-out orgy.”
Alexis put down her fork. “OK, I get it. So why have sex with one and not the other?”
“They’re just friends.”
“And one is with benefits. Does the other know?”
“He knows I’m seeing him.”
“And he’s OK with this?”
“He hasn’t indicated otherwise.”
“Be careful, Claire.” Alexis frowned. “No one wants to spend a lot of time and energy dating someone only to find out they were just a backup plan.”
“Leave her alone.” Kira spooned some rice and beans. “She’s fine. Being upfront prevents misunderstandings down the line.”
Claire avoided Alexis’s penetrating gaze.
“I don’t want to get attached to one person and risk getting hurt on top of the hurt I was already dealing with.
If one of them no longer wants to date me, or if there’s something I don’t like, I’ll have no problem letting go.
” Claire knew she sounded defensive, but she had to speak her mind.
“Just because you’re OK with this doesn’t mean your multiple men are,” Alexis said.
“Not multiple. Just two.”
Kira and Sam watched the back and forth.
“Putting them against one another is easy, but you will need to pick a winner.”
“I’m not looking at it that way. I don’t even know if there will be a winner.”
“You do realize you have more options, right?” Kira jumped in. “Dating around can help you figure out what to look for in a relationship. And don’t settle on one guy just to settle.”
“I already settled just to settle. Multiple times. I’m trying to let things sift out while keeping a degree of neutrality.”
“How is it neutral if you’re screwing one?” Alex demanded.
Claire had no answer for that one and went quiet. So did everyone else for a few beats.
“I, for one, think you have the right approach,” Kira finally said. “You need to spend time and get to know each guy, and not necessarily in bed. Who says you should have sex with the doctor if you’re not ready?”
Claire didn’t know when she’d be ready. Jake was a good companion on dates and an excellent conversationalist, but she couldn’t deny that she was seeing him mostly to please her mother. She found him handsome, but …
He isn’t Ian.
“I did that two-guy thing once and found it exhausting,” Sam said. “I mean, it’s hard enough to make time to see one person, let alone two.”
“Communication is key,” Kira said. “Be clear with both guys about where you stand. Take it slow with both until you figure out what you really want. Eventually, it will become clear.”
Claire sighed. Right now, nothing was clear, and her friends’ conflicting opinions only muddied the waters.
“OK,” she said, hoping to put an end to the lecture.
Alexis, however, wasn’t finished. “You can go round and round like this forever, but if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll realize you’ve already decided. Listen to that inner voice. It’s always right.”
The waitress thankfully appeared. They placed their dessert orders and waited for the busboy to clear the table.
Claire waited until he was walking away with a stack of plates. “So, what’s new with you guys?”
Alexis and Kira turned to Sam, who wordlessly held out her left hand. On her ring finger, a pear-shaped diamond solitaire sparkled.
Claire sat up straight. “You finally said yes!”
Sam nodded, her wide green eyes shining.
“I can’t believe I didn’t notice! Let’s see it!”
For a while, the girls took turns gushing and admiring the ring.
“It’s about time,” Alexis said. “I was beginning to think you’d get pregnant before you agreed to marry the poor man. Three years is longer than I would have waited, that’s for sure. Daniel’s a saint.”
“Um …” Sam’s cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink.
“Wait!” Alexis slammed down her margarita. “You’re not … are you?”
“I am.”
Alexis’s brows shot up. “Seriously? And you didn’t tell us?”
“I just did.”
“Oh my God!” Kira cast a furtive glance at Sam’s flat belly.
“I’m not due for another seven months,” Sam said.
“Does Daniel know?” Kira asked.
“What kind of question is that? Of course he knows!”
“And how does he feel about it?” Alexis took a sip of water.
A soft smile curved Sam’s lips. “Well … when I broke the news, he turned kind of pale, and he said he needed to sit down. He’s OK now, though.” She looked at Claire expectantly. “So, you’ll be there, right?”
“Why are you even asking? When’s the wedding?”
Sam shifted in her seat. “Next weekend.”
Claire blinked. “Next weekend.”
Sam nodded, looking apologetic. “That’s when my dream venue had availability this year. Remember the resort I loved in the Bahamas? Someone canceled, and Daniel and I jumped on it and took the slot.”
Claire’s brow furrowed. “That’s awfully short notice.”
“I know. I’m sorry. It’s going to be a simple ceremony. Nothing formal, just a couple of parties and a small sunset wedding. But you’ll come, right?”
“Of course I will.” Claire wondered how she’d manage.
“You’ll need a date,” Alexis pointed out.
Kira grinned big. “That’s right! Hey, maybe we can use this as an opportunity to help you choose.”
Claire inwardly groaned. She knew where this was going. “How so?”
“Pick one to bring as a date, and we’ll evaluate him.” Kira winked. “I vote for the lawyer. You wouldn’t be doing him if he didn’t have an edge.”