chapter one

JACQUELINE

"Now, this? That is what a real man looks like," Chloe winked, turning her phone and showing it to us. A gasp escaped my lips at the sight of a tall, chocolate-skinned man on her Tinder profile. Wow. She had spent minutes raving about her newest date since we got to the café. I became so sure he wasn't at all good-looking like she kept on describing. But this man was a sight to behold.

"Get it, girl!" Natalie whooped from beside me, snickering as she leaned forward, tapping Chloe's arm with a sense of urgency. "How was the sex?!" She asked, in what I knew she assumed was a whisper.

"Natalie!" I cautioned, my cheeks reddening a little as I instinctively glanced around the café we were sitting in. And sure enough, there were a handful of people already sending disapproving looks our way. Not that my friends would care anyway.

"Ah, come on, Jackie," Natalie rolled her eyes. "Don't start with the prude behavior again. This is a sacred moment for me,

and I very much want to hear every detail of how good this man fucks, alright?"

I chuckled despite myself. With my friends I could never win. I didn't know why I still tried up until now, this was just how they were. I smiled, instinctively looking down at the watch around my wrist once more. I still had a full hour before I had to leave for work, so there was time. Willing myself to stop worrying, I looked back up at my friends, half listening to Chloe's raunchy tale. At intervals, Nat would let out a boisterous laugh, hitting the table lightly in glee. At the sight of the smile on her face, I couldn't help but laugh too. My best friends were the craziest people.

"Ah, he does sound dreamy," Nat nodded in approval. "He's hot, rich, and he's great in bed. Looks like you've struck gold, Chlo. Better keep him close," She winked.

Chloe twirled a strand of her blonde curls in her hand, heaving a little. "Yeah, I guess so. But…I'm wondering if he can do other things too.." She trailed off.

I cocked an eyebrow. "Other things?" Natalie and I exchanged confused looks. "Things like what?"

"You know, be loyal, faithful, just someone who'd be there for me. Don't get me wrong, I love the sex. But I need more."

Natalie responded by letting out a chuckle. "Sweetie, the man can fuck. I think that covers all that. After all, it's not like you want to marry him or something."

Here we go.

As though on cue, they both began to argue about it. Nat was on team 'one night stand' and Chloe was on…well, the same team. I like to call it 'one night stand turned boyfriend'. Our table was attracting stares once again.

"Guys, we're here to catch up and enjoy our iced coffees," I whined, gesturing to my own cup. "Can we get back to that? I don't even know what you're arguing about. But if it's still about Chloe's new man, then I'd say there's more to a relationship than just sex. Now can we get back—"

I was interrupted by laughter from both of them, making me roll my eyes.

"Oh really, Miss Relationship Guru. Tell me something I don't know," Nat said, her lips twitching as she tried not to smile. "But you're right. I mean with ALL your experience, you're surely qualified to give dating advice." Her eyes widened as she did a mock gasp. "Ohhh wait…you don't have any experience."

As they continued to snicker, I stared daggers at them. I should have known they would pick this up. I hadn't dated anyone for so long I didn't even remember the last time I did. I was just so busy with life and work that I hardly ever crossed my mind. And of course Nat and Chlo couldn't resist bringing it up in times like this.

"What makes you think I don't have any experience? Just because I don't date anyone, it doesn't mean I'm not getting any action. I meet lots of men on a daily." I shot back, folding my arms defiantly. Of course, I was lying through my teeth, but they didn't need to know that.

"Did you just say, men?" Natalie giggled. "Babes, the only men in your life are your father and that creepy vet doctor at that clinic."

I scowled, discreetly giving her the finger as I took another sip of my coffee.

Chloe snickered, scooting closer to me and patting my shoulder. "Aw sweetheart, maybe in your dreams. You know I'm usually on your side, but I gotta go with Nat on this once. We all know about your nonexistent love life. It's no secret."

Natalie laughed, nodding her head. "Come on, Jackie. We're always telling you this. Quit drowning yourself in work. You're using it as an excuse. Go out sometimes, take a break, get a drink…"

"Get some dick," Chloe cut in. "When was the last time someone ate your cookie?" Before I had time to recover from the shock of her saying that loudly, she had continued. "You're like a robot, you don't know how to have fun, Jackie. We'd thought you'd loosen up a little with time, but nope. You're still timid, wound up Jackie. You're like a potential cat lady."

As they both laughed good naturedly, I felt my face warm. I was getting tired of the jokes. It's not like I didn't want to have fun and be in a relationship. But I wasn't actively trying either. It annoyed me that they were right. And usually I would have let it slide. But not this time.

I finished the last of my coffee. "I don't know what you're talking about, girls. I can have fun, and I can be spontaneous too. And oh, despite what you think, I could get a man if I wanted too. I do know how to relax," I shrugged, smirking as I leaned back into my chair.

My best friends exchanged amused looks. "You, Jacqueline Williams, spontaneous? Right!"

My jaw ticked. "Fine, I'll prove it," I blurted out without thinking. But I couldn't take it back. It had captured their attention already.

"How?"

My mind went into full thinking mode immediately. Whatever it was, it had to be something that would show them I was serious. Maybe they'd stop teasing me about my love life for once. I tried to appear indifferent as my mind continued to roam.

And then I had it.

Sitting up straighter, I put on my best resting face. "I'll kiss the next person that walks through that door."