Chapter 115

*Two months ago*

KATE

Mary and I had arranged to go to a bar on Friday after work. We were sitting at a corner table. I was sure I would be left alone there at any moment because the guys at the counter and tables couldn't stop looking at her. I had noticed that men always looked her up and down, even when we walked down the street.

But how could they not? She had told me she worked out practically every day when I asked her how she maintained her incredible body; her black hair matched her incredibly blue eyes, making her utterly sexy.

"So, what about your friend from University?" She raises a curious eyebrow.

"Huh?"

"Don't play dumb. The one who sent you messages this week, the one from the pool, the guy you didn't sleep with because you're a fool."

"Oh, thanks, Mary."

"Come on, Kate. I really don't understand you. How long has it been since you had sex with someone?"

"Oh, my God! You're worse than Lisa!"

"By the way, you have to introduce me to her. I think I'll really like her."

"Believe me, that meeting scares me. In fact, I even invited her to come, but she had a date, one of those you understand so well."

"I see… one of those you're in dire need of. I asked you a question."

"I don't know… maybe two or three months... I'm not sure."

"Oh, my God, you really need my help."

"No, I don't."

"Give me your phone... let's send a message to one of your friends... the famous John or even the one from the pool."

"No. And, by the way, his name is Michael."

"The Grey..." She laughs. "Like the guy from Fifty Shades of Grey. Maybe he has a red room to solve your problems, Kate." She chuckles.

"Haha, very funny. My life is far from being an erotic novel these days."

"Oh, come on, don't tell me you don't enjoy a whip? Handcuffs?"

"Stop teasing me."

"Fine. I just want to find a way to help you relax."

"Sex isn't the solution to everything." The sentence automatically reminded me of Ryan.

"Wrong. Most of the time it is."

"What's the point of having sex just for the sake of it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Mechanical sex. That thing where a couple can't be near each other without getting aroused or wanting to have sex anywhere... that whole sexual thing, full of desire. That's the kind of thing that doesn't happen in real life. Only in books and movies. Maybe it happens once in real life. And I think mine already passed."

"We're back to square one. The famous guy you'll never tell me who he is. But who should have a thirty-centimeter penis to make you think such a thing." I laugh.

"Not thirty, a bit smaller."

"You have an innocent face, but you're naughty." We laugh together. "You're just a bit out of practice, but you're a big pervert."

"Maybe sex isn't exciting for me anymore."

"Don't be ridiculous. Sex never loses its excitement. And I'm going to help you with that."

"No. I don't want your help."

"Not another word."

"Seriously. But speaking of you... how was the night with Tom?"

"You mean the ten minutes he lasted?" She rolls her eyes.

"No?"

"Yes."

"I can't believe it!"

"What? That he lasted ten minutes?" She gets up, and I turn on the couch to follow her movements.

She heads towards the entrance of the bar, where a tall, blond guy has just walked in. Seconds later, she approaches, bringing him along.

Kate, don't forget that going out with Mary means meeting handsome men she's already slept with.

"Kate?"

"Yes?" I stand up.

"This is Dave, a friend from University. Dave, meet Kate, a friend from work."

"Dave?" I extend my hand.

"McConnor," he says, shaking my hand firmly.

"Pleasure, Dave, Katherine Collins."

"The pleasure is mine, Katherine."

"Dave said he's waiting for a friend. And I invited him to wait here with us. I told him you wouldn't mind."

"Of course not."

"Great. Let's sit then."

"Before that, I need to go to the bathroom, if you don't mind," he says before walking away.

"You didn't say you were inviting a friend, Mary. If I knew I'd be a third wheel, I would have stayed home," I say.

"I swear I didn't know he was coming. But the best part is, he has a friend."

"What do you mean by that?"

"That tonight, you'll end your abstinence."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Listen, Kate... if you're really my friend, you'll help me take Dave to my place, entertaining his friend. Because I've known this guy for years, and I've never had the pleasure of finding out if he prefers black or white underwear if you catch my drift."

"So, you haven't slept with him yet? Oh my God, that's incredible!"

"Haha, funny. Tonight, both of us will have a good time, and I don't want to hear any objections."

I roll my eyes.

Seeing Niels enter through the door and walk toward us was the biggest surprise of the week. I didn't know who was more surprised between the two of us. After exchanging greetings, we sit down again.

Niels orders a whiskey and tells us about how he met Dave at the company he worked for before Ryan's. I would never have guessed that Dave was a business guy if you asked me. He had a too relaxed style for that, but he was quite sexy. The type that looks good in a suit or anything else.

"Oh my God, it's amazing that you already know each other," Mary says, already quite loose thanks to a few vodkas and whatever else she's been drinking. Well, looser than usual, because she doesn't need vodka to be a hurricane.

"So, I can kidnap Dave in peace to the dance floor without leaving Kate with a stranger."

"Don't worry," Niels forces a smile.

"Great. So, Dave... you have no more excuses," she stands up and extends her hand to Dave, who is being dragged along by the hurricane named Mary.

"So..." Niels gets my attention. "What are you drinking?"

"I think a gin and tonic. But I admit I'm not a hundred percent sure."

"Who would've thought, Collins," he smiles.

"Don't judge me."

"It's not that. It's just that you always had a prim and proper look."

"And you don't?"

"Not for those closest to me."

"Alright."

That reminded me of why he and Ryan were friends.

"I'm still curious about why you decided to leave Ryan's."

"Personal reasons."

"I see. You know... Ryan seemed a bit off without you in the first week. Unbelievable because that had never happened before. He seemed lost, from what I remember."

"Really?" I try to feign disinterest. "Must have been your impression."

He studies me. "I could've sworn he lost much more than an assistant."

I gulp.

"Ryan is a big jerk, and he always will be."

"Love and hate always go hand in hand."

"I can't believe you said that," I mock him.

"Can't I be poetic?" he jokes.

"It's not poetic; it's ridiculous."

"You like to judge, Collins? Then can I judge you based on your friend?"

"Who? Mary?"

"Tell me who your friends are..." I laugh at him. Was he already drunk?

"What's wrong with my friend?"

"Nothing."

"Now you have to speak up."

"Alright, she's not shy and seems like the type who likes to go out with new people without commitment."

"You mean she likes casual sex?"

"Yeah," he shrugs.

"And you think because of that, I can't be friends with her?"

"I'd say she has different habits."

"Do you think so?" I laugh mischievously. "Well, well, someone here thinks I'm a saint."

"After that smile of yours, I don't think anything anymore."

"Looks can be deceiving sometimes, Niels. So, can I also judge you for being friends with Ryan?"

"I would say yes."

"That doesn't speak highly of you. But anyway, do you have issues with women like her? Do they intimidate you?"

"No. Never."

"Great. I bet she liked you. If she didn't think you'd be good company for me tonight, you could be having fun with both of them." I laugh. "Do you like the idea?"

"Being good company for you tonight?" He gives me a sensual look.

"You know that's not what I was referring to. In fact, I'm not good company for you."

"Why?"

"Because I'm a saint, I've already drunk what I had to drink, and I'm leaving, but first, I'll go to the bathroom if I can make it there. Excuse me." I stand up.

"Need any help?"

"I don't think you can come in." I laugh, feeling a bit dizzy.

"I was referring to the way there."

"Thanks. I like challenges." He smiles.

"Okay."

I don't know how I manage to get to the bathroom; the alcohol was starting to take effect on my head.

When I come out, Niels touches my waist to get my attention.

"Were you spying on me?"

"Not yet. But since I'm a gentleman, and you said you want to leave, and you've already drunk what you had to drink, I decided to ask if you came by car."

"Don't worry, I'm very responsible to drive drunk."

"Of course. So, can I give you a ride?"

"No."

"No? Why not?"

"I don't want to bother you."

"On the contrary, I'd love to. Let's go."