Gen laughed at her friend’s withering stare. “Fine. Just make sure you’re not looking at her naked ass,” Kate whipped back.
The artist rolled his eyes. “Lady, you wouldn’t believe some of the places I put tats. There’s nothing I haven’t seen.”
Gen spoke up. “Sorry, just ignore her.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Not you, too? You should’ve seen Arilyn with Officer Petty. She turned into a raging bitch.”
“Our Arilyn?” Kate asked in amazement. “Impossible.”
“I swear! She accused him of not doing his job and got all mouthy. I think he was hot for her. There was something almost electric in the air. Oh, and he smokes.”
Kate gasped. “That’ll never work. I’m worried about her yoga teacher. She seems a bit mopey lately. Think he’s cheating again?”
“Probably. He screwed around on her twice, hiding it in a bunch of bullshit about men not being naturally monogamous and embracing their innate tendencies. He’s a player.”
“Should we talk to her again?”
“No. She needs to come to the conclusion on her own. Same way I did with David.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
The artist leaned over her ass and spoke brusquely. “Ready? I’m gonna be a while.”
“Ready.” Excitement slithered through her. Maybe this was what it felt like being a bad girl. Izzy would be proud of her. The thought of her twin sent a pang of regret through her, and Gen wondered if she should try to reach out again. Maybe since her screwup with David, Izzy would be more apt to have a conversation.
Kate shrieked as the needle hit the small of her back. Tiny pinpricks of pain shot through her, but it was bearable. “Kate, you’re freaking me out. Breathe.”
“Sorry. Why are you doing this again? Are surgeons allowed to have ink?”
An image of Wolfe flashed in her mind. Strolling out the door, looking hot as hell, ready to bed some gorgeous, confident, sexual female who’d make him feel good, touch him all over, and take him deep in her body.
Bitch.
She wanted to scream. Instead, she’d given him a thumbs-up like she was his buddy who didn’t care how many women he screwed. And she used to be. Usually, she’d laugh, call him a man whore, and be done with the episode. Now the game had changed. Jealousy coursed through her and she didn’t know how to handle it.
She focused on Kate’s question. “Yeah, you’re thinking military. As for why? Let’s just say I need to shake things up a bit. I feel like doing something a bit crazy. Outside my comfort zone. Know what I mean?”
“Totally. Of course, you could’ve come with me to visit my mom and she would’ve gotten you high.”
Gen grinned. Kate’s mother was a posthippie, pot-smoking sex therapist with a big heart. “How is your mom?”
Kate nibbled on a few Skittles. Sugar helped balance her fear of needles. “Fine. She got all excited about this new client who was experiencing erectile dysfunction. She aims to cure him.”
“Your mom is a badass.”
“Slade loves her. She’s been pretty chill about the wedding, so we’re thrilled she’s leaving most of it to us.”
“I can’t believe you’re getting married soon. I’m so excited.”
Kate smiled. “Me, too. Maybe Kennedy will be next if Nate has his way. Speaking of men and living together, how’s it going with you and Wolfe shacking up?”
The memory hit her like a left hook. Wolfe standing naked in her living room. Wet. Hunger flashing in those blue eyes. She swallowed. “Uh, okay.”
Kate swiveled her head around. Her gaze reeked of suspicion. “You don’t sound okay. You sound involved.”
She tried for a casual air. “Just doing the roommate thing. Sharing meals, a TV, et cetera.”
“Sharing a bed?”
Gen flinched. The artist cursed and slapped her upper thigh. “Don’t move.”
“Hey, you’re not her dom!” Kate yelled.
The guy raised a needle. “Quiet, girl, or your friend’s gonna get a very different tattoo.”
Gen sent her a pleading look. “Kate! Let him do his job, please.”
“Fine. Are you sleeping with Wolfe?”
“No. We’re friends. I told you a billion and one times. In fact, he’s out tonight screwing some woman who probably means nothing to him.”
“Interesting. Why do you sound jealous?”
Gen glared but it wasn’t too intimidating with her pants down. “I’m not. I want him to get past these brief sexual affairs and experience a real relationship. He refuses to join Kinnections and keeps insisting he’s unable to commit.”