Page 78 of Tanner

“When are you leaving exactly?”

“I don’t know yet. Semester ends soon. I was hoping to stay through the end of the year.”

That’s really soon. My entire body deflates.

He spins me around and places his hands on the sides of my face. “I’m not ready to say good-bye to you. I’ll figure something out, okay? Just don’t worry your pretty little head tonight. This evening, I want to cook for you, maybe give you a foot massage, play some strip poker …”

He waggles his brows. I hit him in his chest. The hardness of it makes my knuckles sting. He kisses my hand and then shoos me out of the way of the sink.

He sees the Alexa on the counter and tells it to play Ed Sheeran. He tosses me a bell pepper. I start chopping while he looks through cabinets for a saucepan. As he adds garlic and oil, I’m singing along to the song, and he chimes in, opening the can.

At one point, Tanner approaches me from behind while I’m cutting the zucchini. He sings into my ear, swaying me back and forth until I drop the knife and turn to face him.

I wrap my arms around his neck, and we finish off the song until he slaps my ass and turns to stir the sauce.

“You play cards often?” I ask as we’re sitting down, twirling our pasta and drinking our wine.

“You’re thinking about strip poker. Okay, fine. If you want, I’ll play, but I’m warning you that I’m gonna lose on purpose. You’re welcome.” He smiles as he slurps a noodle.

“I was just seeing if you were a gambler. I’m trying to find your vice. The one thing you’re addicted to that’s bad for you.”

“You,” he states matter-of-factly. “I’m wildly addicted to you, and it’s going to kill me.”

I roll my eyes at him.

“What about you?” he asks. “What’s your vice?”

You.

“I don’t have any. I’m pretty damn perfect, thank you very much.”

“Agreed.” He puts his fork down and looks around the apartment. He seems to be taking it in as his eyes roam over the gray damask wallpaper and ivory couch. April has a crystal chandelier over the espresso table. “Can I ask you a question?”

I give him my full attention.

“Why do you live on April’s futon? Are you hard up for cash?”

It’s an honest question. I won’t lie and say the insinuation doesn’t sting a little. I suppose it does seem odd that a thirty-year-old woman is sleeping in her best friend’s home office. Must make me look like I don’t have my shit together.

“The apartment that Aaron and I lived in was mine. When I caught him cheating, I asked him to leave. He refused to move out, so I packed my bags. I’m in the process of selling it. It seems like it’s the only way to get him out. I’m in contract.”

“Why doesn’t he want to move out?”

I take a swig of my wine. “Aaron still wants me back. He calls at least once a week and apologizes profusely. He has been since the day I caught him cheating.”

Tanner uncomfortably shifts in his seat. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“What’s to tell? He wants me back. I don’t want to be with someone who thinks sleeping with another woman is okay. I like my men fully committed.”

“I like my women fully committed.”

I raise my glass in salute. “Then, we’re in agreement. We’re monogamous.”

Tanner’s nostrils flare. “The thought of you with another man—”

“Calm down, caveman.”

Tanner looks to the side as his mouth pinches. “So, you’re from an affluent family, went to prep school, and own your own home.”