“Hey girl,” he says, in that sweet but firm voice that dog people know how to use. He’s a friend,” I tell her and instantly she settles down. She swings her gaze at Ryder and unleashes an accusatory bark at the unknown man. She whimpers her excitement at seeing her mistress. Ruby jumps up and down when I unlock the door. They’re also buzz killers since I need to tend to my doggy before we get into doggy-style. Maybe this is the way it should be-clear and easy.īut once we reach her place in the East 80s, all that easy, breezy, sexy confidence slips away. There’s something incredibly freeing about this kind of relationship. And I fucking love that we’re not playing games. Nothing at all.Īt its heart, it’s a beautiful sort of deal, one that says neither party expects a damn thing. In return, I won’t ask for anything, either. First, I showed her my health records-a clean bill of health and no STDs. The last week has been consumed by paperwork for our arrangement. It’s sex with a contract, outlined in legalese. That’s because the sex is guaranteed in ink. You might even land a first kiss.” She winks at me and whispers, “But I’m pretty confident you’re a sure thing.” “If you play your cards right, by the end of the evening her heart will be topsy-turvy for you. “Gentlemen, tonight we conducted a highly scientific study of dates in New York City, and we’ve concluded that the flying trapeze is an excellent jumpstart to romance.” I laugh, relieved that we don’t have to tread more seriously on this topic. “Good thing we can be so scientific about this, right?” Nicole doesn’t balk at my honest assessment. And for me, I had a hell of a good time with you.” “For most men, yes, I suspect it would be a great start to romance. I could answer Nicole with starkness and say, I don’t really care anymore about romancing a woman.īut she deserves more than that. In return, she treated me like gum on the bottom of her shoe.

The Knocked up Plan by Lauren Blakely