He gave my leg a little squeeze. “What should we do until then?” he asked.
I shot up from the cream microfiber cushions and ran over to the door. “You need to leave,” I said.
He rolled his eyes. “Really, Karli? Are we back to this again?”
I opened the door for him. “Yes. Please leave.”
He stood up. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“No, I’m being smart,” I insisted. “I’m thinking with my brain instead of my…well, you know.”
He closed the distance between us in two long strides and pressed himself against me, showing me that he was still hard from our earlier encounter. It took every ounce of will power I had not to open his fly and slam him home inside of me. Vance was one hundred percent male perfection and I had no doubt he knew how to fully satisfy a woman. With or without his magic. He nibbled my ear. “Women with brains are sexy as hell, Karli. You’re not really discouraging me here. You just call me when your brain and your other… sexy parts agree with one another.” He walked out the door without looking back.
Needless to say, Bob ran a marathon that night.
*****
After spending most of the day worrying, Erica showed up at my apartment late Tuesday night.
“Where the hell have you been?” I shouted as soon as I opened the door.
She grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the couch. “K, calm down. I already called Leo to explain. He hasn’t said anything to you, has he?”
I wrinkled my brows in confusion. “No, I haven’t talked to Leo.”
She sighed, seemingly relieved. “Oh…good. I asked him to let me break the news to you.”
“News?” I asked. “What news?”
“Well, first of all, I guess I should say that I can’t be your third wheel anymore.”
Okay, now I was really confused. “Erica, what the hell are you talking about? How can that possibly explain where you’ve been?”
She smiled. “Well, I can’t be your third wheel anymore because of my news. It’s pretty big.”
“How big?” I asked.
“Ginormous,” she replied.
“Well, spill then!” I said impatiently.
She held up her left hand, revealing a giant, sparkly ring on her fourth finger. “Because I’m a married woman now! Also known as Mrs. Crawford!”
My mouth hung open. “Huh?”
She grabbed my hand and held it gently. “Look, K, I know that this is sudden, but Jake is the one. I can’t imagine being with anyone else. And for me, that’s saying a lot! You know that. He’s the most fantastic guy I’ve ever met. I’ve never known anyone who makes me feel so incredible. And I’m not just talking about the sex. Which for the record is, like, the best ever!” She paused for a moment. “Look, honey, I’m going to be gone for a few days. We’re heading to San Diego to tell my family. Jake has convinced me to perform the binding spell of thirteen with my sisters so our babies will be more powerful.”
“Babies?” I shrieked.
“I know, right?” she said. “I’m the last person you’d think would get married, let alone have babies. But I know it’s right. I’ve never felt more certain about anything in my life. You need to figure your shit out, Karli, because this love thing is incredible. I want you to feel the same happiness that I do. I’ve never felt more whole than I do right now.”
I sank down into the couch even further. “Babies?” I repeated.
She put her arm around me and pulled me into her. “I know it’s a hard pill to swallow, K, but Jake makes me feel things that I’ve never felt before. We’re both from big families and he wants to carry on the tradition. Honestly, I’ve never thought about being a mom before, but I want his babies. I want to have children because they would be our children. I figured there’s no time like the present, right? We’ve already stopped using protection. Weeks ago, actually. That’s why it’s imperative that I do the spell with my sisters as soon as possible. We’re leaving right away.” She looked towards my front door. “He’s out in the car waiting. I really should be going.”
I raked my hands through my hair. “Oh, my God.” I tried to keep them back, but tears started forming in my eyes.
She tilted my chin up. “Honey, why are you crying? Are you upset with me?”