“Oh, girl.”
“I told him to not call anymore.”
“What about Victor?” Cassie asked.
“Victor knew he was calling and had given him his blessing.”
“I’ve never met Victor, but I think I hate him,” Jessica said, and then made a growly sound. “Asshole.”
Violet shook her head. “I was so naïve. I should’ve seen the signs. I wanted to see the best in him, and in our relationship.”
After taking another sip of her margarita, Jessica said, “I think it’s great you’re thinking about going on this fantasy weekend. You’ve got to get a life outside of work, or you’re going to go crazy.”
Violet and Cassie both laughed, and Violet said, “Physician, heal thyself.”
“What? I’m building up my client base, which takes time. And what free time I have is taken up with baby Bella.”
Cassie smirked. “Riiiiight. No time for hot, sexy redheads.”
Violet snickered. “Whatever.”
Cassie said, “You’re both just making excuses.”
Violet and Jessica both chuckled, and Violet put her pinky and thumb to her jawline. “Hello, pot? This is the kettle…”
Cassie burst into laughter and then said, “Okay, we’re all pathetic, I’m just waiting on my fantasy woobie—or woobies—to show up. You’re the one with the golden opportunity here.”
“I’m focused, that’s all. I can let loose when it’s warranted.”
Jessica nodded, but there was disbelief in her tone when she said, “Prove it.”
“How?”
“Go on the fantasy weekend.”
“I’m not one hundred percent sure about it yet. I mean, yeah, I have fantasies, but…” There were so many variables. She had a fantasy all right. But it was exactly that. A ménage fantasy. Something she planned to never revisit because she couldn’t risk being hurt by two men ever again. It’d been too much, and a girl had to set limits. Besides, what if she went to the event and drew the attention of someone she wasn’t interested in or intimidated by? What if she had the same results as last time, or worse?
As if sensing her increasing doubt, Jessica said, “Okay. Then loosen up your businesswoman persona and have some fun tonight. Say yes to the next cowboy who walks up to you.”
She could handle a dance. No biggie. “Okay, if it’ll shut y’all up. But I’m not getting drunk or doing anything else crazy.”
Cassie said, “It’s a start, and I’m proud of you. And you should give Mr. Hazelle’s invitation serious consideration. I find him intimidating, but I don’t doubt you’d be in good hands. Who knows where it might take you. I know you miss Bodie, and it hurts, but you’re better off without him. That was an unhealthy relationship—him giving you periodic booty calls.”
“I know. I rationalized it for a long time, but I’m done.”
Cassie smiled as she looked over Violet’s shoulder. “You sure?”
Violet nodded decisively. “I’m done with him. And I will never take another chance with a ménage ever again. It’s all well and good to have a fantasy involving two big, sexy lumberjacks having their wicked, woodsy, well-hung way with me. It’s another in practice.”
Jessica’s eyebrows nearly reached her hairline as she also looked over Violet’s shoulder and elbowed Cassie. “Never say never, my friend.”
Solid warmth bracketing her shoulders alerted her to the arrival of two very hard bodies on either side of her tall chair. She looked up from one man to the other, her living, breathing, walking, talking fantasy. Josh and Lucas Abbott.
An enigmatic smile crossed Josh’s lips, the one that made her brain short circuit because it always left her wondering what he was thinking. She grinned at him like a dummy before smiling at Lucas as he kissed her hand. Kissed her hand.
They were brothers, but they were so different. Josh was more serious. Tall, with a swimmer’s body, he moved with animal grace. Lucas was more prone to tease, and he had a sturdy, almost stocky build, like a weightlifter. They were both definitely fantasy material. Too bad it was a fantasy she had no intent of pursuing.
Josh glanced down at her hair, and a wave of warm shivers washed through her as he stroked the length and tugged ever so gently at the ends. It took a concerted effort to not roll her eyes back and tap her foot on the chair leg. Her brain went a little fuzzier as Josh spoke to her, gestured between him and his brother, and then looked at her.
Figuring she could kill two birds with one stone by shutting up the girls’ pestering about her social life, and indulging in a little harmless fantasy, she said, “Both of you? Sure, why not?”