“I haven’t seen you in a while,” Melody says, completely ignoring Lauren.
“I’ve been busy.” I tighten my grip on Lauren’s hand.
Melody blinks, looking at Lauren like she just appeared. “Oh, uh, hi. Who are you?”
“I’m Lauren. Nice to meet you.”
“This is Melody,” I say to Lauren. “She lives across from me.”
Melody gives a tight smile. “How do you two know each other?”
The world “girlfriend” burns on the tip of my tongue. I want so bad to say it, but don’t, afraid Lauren doesn’t want to be it.
“We met in high school,” Lauren says. “He’s my brother’s best friend.”
I smirk. When she says it like that, it has a forbidden sexiness to it that turns me on. I slip my arm around Lauren.
“You got dogs?” Melody asks, eyeing Vader nervously. To be fair, the large dog stands protectively in front of Lauren, giving Melody a judgmental stare. “I saw you come in with them last night.”
“They’re not mine,” I tell her. “We didn’t want to leave them at Lauren’s and have to go back in the morning.” I reach down and pat Sasha’s head. I’ve always liked dogs, and now I’m starting toreallylike these guys, almost as if they were mine.
“Oh, so you two are…”
“Dating?” I supply. “Yeah, we are.”
“I thought you didn’t date,” Melody blurts.
I shrug. “I didn’t, but I do now.” I turn just in time to see Lauren smile.
Melody’s face falls. “Oh, uh, that’s nice.” She inhales and regains her composure. “Well, good luck with him,” she tells Lauren. “Enjoy it while it lasts. I hope you know what you’re getting into.”
“I’m well aware,” Lauren retorts, not missing a beat. “Nice to meet you.” Melody leaves in a huff, jogging away. Lauren faces me. “A bit of a heartbreaker, are you?”
“I can’t help it.”
“Really. So what’s the story with her?”
Tell Lauren about my booty calls? Nope, that’s not uncomfortable at all. “We hooked up.”
“No shit.”
I look down at Lauren, the shock apparent on my face.
“Noah, come on. I’ve known you for years. I know how you are—were—with the ladies.”
“Oh, right. Melody and I had a no-strings arrangement and she got attached. That’s all.”
“You really think the whole no-strings thing ever works?”
“If done right.”
She rolls her eyes. “Maybe. I’ve never tried.”
I squeeze her hand. “I never would have guessed,” I tease. We step off the boardwalk and start hiking through the woods. Vader stops and sniffs at everything, and Sasha pulls on her leash. I don’t know which is more annoying.
“I’m going over to Colin’s tonight for video games,” I tell her.
“Is he still acting weird?”