Before anyone could answer, Ava spoke up again. “When I decided to go after Mac, I had to reinvent myself. It’s not that he didn’t love me as I was, because he did—for years. But I’d lost him because I wasn’t ready to be in a relationship with him. So in order to get his attention, I went a complete one eighty from who I’d always been. Instead of repressed and cautious, I became more of a daredevil. I did stuff that I knew would push every button that he had. I figured negative attention was good so long as he was thinking about me. Even if he only wanted to wring my neck. So I know what you’re trying to say.”
“Just to be clear here,” Suzy asked, sounding fascinated, “are you advising her to go buy some handcuffs and beat Mark at his own game?”
“There’s nothing wrong with that.” Beth grinned, wiggling her eyebrows.
“Oh, dear God”—Suzy groaned—“must everything lead back to images of you and my brother-in-law? Please don’t traumatize my nephew by doing kinky sex stuff.”
“Duh, that’s why there’s a lock on the bedroom door,” Claire added. “Just because you have children doesn’t mean you don’t still . . . do things. Right, Ella?”
Ella’s face went up in flames, but the twinkle in her eyes said that she knew exactly what the other women were talking about. “Um—sure.”
“I don’t know Mark,” Mia began, “but don’t you think he’d be a little surprised if Crystal suddenly showed up at his house wearing leather and carrying a whip?” Winking, she added, “Even Seth would do a double take if I did that, and trust me, the man likes his kink.”
Emma reached over and put her hands over Ava’s ears. “Brant is on the dominant side and likes to be in control of the bedroom action.”
“I know you’re talking about sex with my brother,” Ava snapped but didn’t try to remove Emma’s hands.
“Anyway, as I was saying, Brant has those tendencies, but he also likes to be surprised. I don’t think you need to go as far as going all Fifty Shades on his ass, but a few assertive things to throw him off his game would probably be good. If he considers you a good girl, then he won’t be expecting you to make any moves on him. So I would do that. Even something small would get his attention.”
“I agree.” Suzy nodded. “Girl, grab that ass if he gets within arm’s reach. I mean really get in there and get yourself a handful of that fine piece.”
Emma, who had been in the middle of taking a drink of water, sprayed Ava as she began choking. Ava wore a disgusted expression as she took a napkin and began mopping herself up before doing the same to her future sister-in-law. When Emma had recovered, she blotted her lips and said, “Well, that would be one way to get his attention, for sure. I was thinking something a bit more subtle to begin with, like being all touchy-feely when he’s around.”
“But I rarely ever see him, unless I’m trying to. . . .”
“You mean stalking.” Mia giggled. “Now that you’ve spent a weekend with him, you’re a step ahead. You can actually speak when you see him.”
“Whoa! Hold the phone,” Suzy interrupted. “You’ve slept with DeStudo and you’re trying to get advice from us? Honey, it seems like you’ve left some key parts out here, and I, for one, need an explanation.”
Mia whispered a quick “I’m sorry” for spilling the beans.
Crystal figured at this point that she didn’t have anything to lose by telling everyone about her time with Mark. If she wanted their help, then she owed them the full story. So she quickly filled them in on what had transpired after she’d gotten sick and how Mark had taken care of her. She left out their Twitter flirtation, still wanting to keep that to herself.
When she was finished, Ava murmured, “Wow, that’s unbelievable. While I would haven’t called him an uncaring bastard, I’m shocked he didn’t hand you off at the first opportunity.”
“Sometimes a man can surprise you,” Emma pointed out. “Brant and I are still complete opposites, but it works. Oh, baby, does it ever. . . .”
Ava made a gagging sound, causing Emma to laugh.
“Well, you have an opportunity coming up with the barbecue,” Ella said. “And trust me: even if I have to go drag the man myself, he’s going to be there.”
The rest of the lunch was filled with funny dating or sex stories, making Crystal that much more aware of what was missing from her life. Even if she’d stayed married to her ex, she’d have nothing to share now—which she found completely depressing and unacceptable.