Ouachita Mated(7)

Magic’s head jerked back in surprise. A second later his gaze dropped to her breasts. The urge to cross her arms over her very average-verging-on-small bosom was strong, but instead, she puffed out her chest so he could get a good look.

With a huff, he turned his head to the side, running his fingers through his hair. “Fine. But stay out of the way, you hear? We’re setting up for Thanksgiving.”

Stay out of the way? Oh, sure. Like she was a kid pulling on her mother’s apron or something.

“Right. You won’t even know I’m here.”

He gave her a skeptical glance before brushing past her down the hall. “If you paid with your tits, it wasn’t enough,” he tossed over his shoulder.

Josie smirked. “You wouldn’t know. You haven’t seen my girls naked yet.”

His step faltered, and it gave her so much satisfaction, she wanted to break out a proper twerk. Booty dancing was the only thing worthy of that win.

Josie-1, Magic-0.

She continued toward the spa, but realized she’d passed it while focusing on her checkbook. She shoved it, and her phone into her pocket and turned to head back the way she came.

Magic was nearly around the corner of the lobby, but she caught a glimpse of his jean-hugged ass. The man had a nice gluteus maximus.

Josie shook her head. What a waste.

She flung open the frosted glass door that read SPA and strolled into Bethany’s domain. Her best friend was a masseuse. She’d taken a seasonal job here at Magic’s lodge several years ago. It was supposed to be short term. Just through Christmas. But she’d reconnected with a childhood friend, someone her family had taken in as a foster kid years ago, and fallen right off the love cliff with him. Now they were all grown up with a cutie-pie little boy and a happily ever after.

And boy, had Renner grown up. And out. And… Stop it, Josie. It’s not cool to lust over your best friend’s husband.

Josie had to grin. She was so damn happy for Beth. The way Renner looked at her, it was like she not only hung the stars, but formed them in her capable little hands and caused them to shine. It was that thing, that when you witness it, it hits you in the chest and makes you realize you have a hole there where your heart is that needs filling. You hurt inside just watching them, and you know the ache won’t fade until you find the right thing to fill that hole.

Except in her case, she could never have what Renner and Beth have. She didn’t trust men enough to pull off a happily-ever-after. To give one person all of you for the rest of your life? Nope. Nuh uh. It was too hard when there were no guarantees it would last.

No thank you.

She’d just have her casual encounters and give most of her love to her designer clothes. They deserved it more than any man she knew. And since her accident a decade ago, she’d decided to forego anything that didn’t add substance to her life. So far, no romantic relationship had.

Bethany looked up from the appointment book and her friendly all-business smile melted from her face.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

Josie rolled her eyes. “Why do people keep asking me that? What’s wrong with ‘Hey, Josie, how are ya?’”

Beth gave her a half-smile. “I just meant I wasn’t expecting you for another week. I haven’t talked to Magic yet. He’s been distracted lately and I didn’t want to bother him until I was sure…”

Josie nodded, looking out the window. “I just saw him in the hall.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yep. Same ‘ol fun-loving Magic.”

Beth laughed, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“So.” Josie glanced around the room to make sure they were alone. “How do we do this? Does Ren just jizz in a cup and then we take a turkey baster to my hoo-hah, or what?”

“Shh!” Beth hissed.

Josie threw her hands up. “What? I was quiet.”

“Not quiet enough.” Beth rushed around the counter and turned up the snoozy music they used to help customers relax. “You can’t say a word about this to anyone,” she whispered so low Josie had to read her lips. “Renner isn’t exactly on board yet.”

Josie narrowed her gaze. “How much not on board?”

Bethany furiously chewed her lower lip. This was not a good sign.

“We’re still discussing it.”

Josie tipped her head to the side. “Beth.”

“What?” she snapped. “Look, don’t worry about Renner. We’ll work it out. Right now, we just need to keep this quiet, okay?”

Josie nodded reluctantly.

Bethany had helped her out of a jam more than once. She’d put her own well-being second to Josie’s more times than she could count. Why wouldn’t Josie do the same for her? Of course she would.