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sat together in a booth with our beers in front of us.
    “How’s it going with Battleship?” I asked before I took a long drink.
    “Great.” He didn’t smile but his eyes gave him away. It was obvious it was more than great, and it was clear he was more than happy. Ever since he found her, he’d disappeared from the nightlife and parties. He’d rather spend the evenings at home with her. While I missed him, I was glad he found happiness. In the back of my mind, I knew it would end in heartbreak down the road, just like my relationship with Alexia. But I didn’t want to be a downer so I didn’t remind him of that inevitable fate.
    “That’s all you’re going to give me?” I asked incredulously. “Just great?”
    “What do you want me to say?” he asked. “If I tell you how in love I am with her you’ll call me a pussy.”
    “You are a pussy.” I gave him a teasing grin.
    “Thanks for proving my point.”
    “Come on, I really want to know.”
    He studied my face for sincerity before he spoke. “She’s the one, man.”
    “The one?”
    “Yep.”
    That summed up everything in a nutshell. “Are you going to propose soon…?” I really hoped not.
    “No,” he said. “I’m happy with the way things are. And it couldn’t come at a worse time since she’s taking over her father’s company. She doesn’t have time for that and a husband.”
    “And she doesn’t care you’re an escort?” I found that hard to believe. Perhaps I was just paranoid after Alexia, but I wouldn’t want my girlfriend to be anywhere near another man.
    “No. She trusts me. And she should.”
    Seeing how happy my friend was only reminded me how depressed I was. Alexia was my tormentor, and no matter how much time had passed, she wouldn’t go away. Was I doomed forever? What did I do to deserve this?
    “What about you?” He drank his beer and watched me.
    I gave him the response I always gave him. “Nothing.”
    “You’ve been saying that for almost two years.” There was a tone of disappointment in his voice.
    I didn’t want to talk about it, not even to him. If I just pretended everything was okay, then everything would be okay. Wouldn’t it? Rhett was my closest friend but I couldn’t tell him all my thoughts and emotions. That would be…too girly. “Well, there’s nothing to tell.”
    He didn’t seem convinced. “Harper is cute.”
    “She is.” There was no doubt about it. That pretty blonde hair would feel good in my hand while I fisted it and kissed her hard on the mouth. She had the perfect height and perfect body. I’d always had a thing for short girls. It made sex a little awkward because I was so tall but that didn’t make it any less enjoyable.
    “That’s all you’re giving me?” he asked incredulously.
    “What?” I demanded. “I’m agreeing with you.”
    “I thought something might be going on between you.” He searched my face for a reaction.
    “No,” I said immediately. “I figured it would piss you off if I slept with her.”
    “How’d you figure?”
    “She’s Aspen’s best friend…who’s your girlfriend…” Did he really not see where I was going with this?
    “I’m not talking about sleeping with her and never calling her again,” he said. “Why don’t you just ask her out?”
    “Like, on a date?”
    “No, deep sea fishing,” he said sarcastically.
    Dating was the last thing I’d ever do. Relationships were stupid and I wouldn’t put myself in that situation again. I wished I could start sleeping around again, and eventually that day would come. But for now, I wasn’t there yet. So, there was nothing I could have with Harper at all. “She’s not my type.”
    He put his beer down on the coaster and sighed. “Okay, this has gone on long enough.”
    “Huh?”
    “We need to talk about what happened with Alexia. I’ve been waiting for you to bring it up on your own, but the wait is over.”
    My heart kicked into overdrive and my palms were immediately sweaty.