“I don’t do that. I have a very full life with a job I love, hobbies, and my pets.”

“And no one to share it with.”

“That’s perfectly fine with me.” It gave her all the time in the world to do what she wanted, when she wanted, and how she wanted. It was freeing. “The last thing I need in my life is a man who thinks he can tell me what to do.”

“Then you should be the one telling him what to do,” Karmel said. “Nash isn’t going to be in your life forever? Good, then this could be your chance to baby step it into the world of relationships. Try it on for size. Get your feet wet. Take it for a test drive. And if you get nothing but orgasms out of it, where is the harm in that? Like I told you before, life is a buffet and it’s time for you to get fat and sassy on the bounty. Honey, you deserve it.”

Why did all of that have to make so much sense, and what could Chelle even say to that? If she was writing one of her characters, she’d have plenty to say, but as herself? Yeah, it sounded a little too real.

Karmel reached across the table, covered Chelle’s hand with her own, and gave it a squeeze. “Just say you’ll think about it.”

As if she had been thinking of anything else over the past twenty-four hours. “Fine, I’ll give it some thought.”

“Some dirty thoughts, I hope,” her friend said with a theatrically lewd wink.

Despite everything, Chelle burst out laughing. “You’re a bad influence.”

“Proudly and always.” Karmel popped the last bite of her croissant into her mouth. “And you love me for it.”

Now that, Chelle didn’t have to think about at all, because it was 100 percent true. And as for what to do moving forward with Nash? She already knew the answer to that, she just wasn’t sure she was ready to say it out loud.

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

Nash

Nash hadn’t been so nervous for a date in his entire life.

Literally.