“Sorry I’m late,” Baylee said as she slipped into the booth. “I really need a drink. Crazy day.”
“All your days are crazy,” Claudia countered as she placed the menu down on the table.
Neither woman had to look at the menu—they knew it by heart. Coming practically every week for the past three years made them experts on what was available.
“How was your day?” Baylee asked as she picked up a tortilla chip and dipped it in the salsa.
“Okay. I mean, how exciting is it to clean people’s teeth all day? Just glad Dr. Jacques pays well.”
“I hear you.” Baylee wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know how you do it. I couldn’t.”
Claudia shrugged. “It’s really not so bad. I couldn’t figure out all the diagrams and math shit you have to do. I guess we’re even.”
The women placed their drink orders—a mango margarita for Baylee, and a regular one for Claudia.
“How’s Logan doing? Did he get a girlfriend yet?”
Baylee groaned. “I still can’t believe you have the hots for my nemesis. I doubt he has a girlfriend. He and his buds go out a lot for happy hours, and I’m always hearing him brag to Kirk about how many women he picks up.” She popped another chip in her mouth. “These are really good tonight.”
The waitress returned to the table and set their drinks down. Baylee picked hers up and took a big sip. After she licked the sugar off her lips, she said, “And get this: I have to be stuck with stud-man in Pinewood Springs for who knows how long. Talk about bad luck!”
“Really? Damn. How did that come about?”
“I suspect it’s because we’re the two single ones in the office. Kirk is married with a couple of small kids, so I don’t think they’d send him on an out-of-town assignment. I guess they figure we don’t have a life.” She smiled wryly.
“This is the first time you’ve had to go out of town on a job, huh?”
“Yeah. I mean, the firm has been hired out to do some jobs in Las Vegas, San Francisco, and even Boston, but I never went on those. No, I get to go to the swinging town of Pinewood Springs, which probably has a population of about five hundred.” She shook her head in dismay.
Claudia laughed. “I think it’s bigger than that. I used to go there a lot when I was a kid. They have a large natural pool and all these cool hot springs spas.”
“Oh, great, I’ll sweat off my boredom. But the worst thing is I have to work with Logan. Not too pleased, but if I do a great job—which I plan to—then I’m a shoo-in for partner next year.”
“Never know. Working so closely together in a small town with not much to do? Maybe you and Logan will hook up.”
“Bite your tongue!” Baylee took another swig of her drink.
“Speaking of hooking up, did you go through with finding someone for a one-night stand at Deidre’s wedding?”
Baylee nodded.
“Oh, shit!” Claudia covered her mouth. “I never thought you were going to do it. Never.”
Baylee sighed. “I didn’t think I was, either, but then this drop-dead gorgeous guy hit on me and I just had to go through with it. He looked like he’d be great in bed. You know, he was the dark, smoldering type.”
“Did he deliver? Sometimes good-looking guys are shit in bed. How was your stud?”
“Awesome. Fucking awesome. It was amazing, and the guy didn’t stop. He was like a sex machine. Damn, we were at it like rabbits most of the night. I was so damn sore the next morning.”
Claudia chuckled. “You going to hook up again?”
“No. I don’t even know his name. It was strictly a one-night stand. Just pure sex, and it felt good avoiding all the chains of a relationship. Each of us could just walk away without any expectations. That’s what I wanted.”
“You don’t think about him or wish you could see him?”
Pausing, Baylee brushed her fingers across her lips. “I wouldn’t complain about having another romp with him, but I’m so busy with my career right now, I can’t think about being with anyone. And then there’s this project in Pinewood Springs. How could I start anything with anyone now when I’ll probably be gone for a few months? Anyway, like I said, I don’t even know his name.”
“You can come to Denver on the weekends. It isn’t all that far.”
“True, but I don’t trust Logan. I know he’ll try and sabotage me whenever he gets a chance. Nope, right now, the only thing that fits in my ‘love’ life is casual sex. The way this guy pleased me, I can go months before I’ll be feeling dry.”