“Good.”
“Except I have another question.”
I rest my hands behind my head and stretch my legs out, so one is right in front of hers. “Yes, I bought a new bed for the master when I moved in.”
Sophia’s eyes on mine glitter. “Not what I was going to ask.”
“But I’m pretty sure you were thinking it.”
She rolls her eyes again. “I wanted to ask how often you, you know. Entertain.”
“We spoke about that earlier.”
“No, I mean, how often do youentertainhere?” She nudges my leg with her knee. “Before me, I mean. I know you weren’t big on dating, but…”
I run a hand over my jaw, trying to hide my smile. “You’re curious about my past, Bishop?”
“Maybe a little bit. You know so much about mine, after all.”
I shift on the couch, closer to her. “Well, you know what happened to my last relationship.”
She nods. “Your engagement.”
“Yes.”
“Did you date anyone between then and… now?”
“No, not really.”
She lifts her eyebrows, and I sigh. The truth wouldn’t paint a flattering picture. “I wasn’t interested in dating long-term. I work too damn much and the mess just never seemed worth it.”
Sophia nods. “I get that.”
“There was someone, though. We didn’t date, but we saw each other from time to time.”
“You were friends with benefits.”
“I guess that’s what the kids call it.”
She nudges my leg again. “You’re not an antique, you know, despite living in one.”
“Funny,” I say. There’s more to say about Beverly, but it’s not something I’m proud of. My relationship with her had been based on mutual physical attraction, tolerable conversation, and nothing more. She was stuck and I was jaded and it had been pleasurable for us both. No expectations. No future.
But it doesn’t belong here with Sophia.
“Did it end naturally?” she asks.
“Yes. I haven’t seen her in almost a year,” I say.“You know I’m short on time.”
She smiles. “Yes, I do know, which is why I couldn’t come over until nine p.m. tonight.”
“I was in supplier meetings.” I reach out and curve my hand over her leg, finding the hem of her skirt. The skin at the back of her knee is tantalizingly soft. “But I cut them short for you.”
“Did you? How gallant.”
“Mmm.”
“What was her name? Your old friends-with-benefit?”