Free The Back-Up Plan by Mari Carr

do you own?”
    Kristen shrugged. “Five. I like to keep things fresh.”
    Zoey’s eyes widened. “Jesus. And you accuse Josie of having the hormonal issues.”
    They laughed, hanging out until Rob came home. Then Kristen drifted back to her own place, chewing over what Zoey had said.
    Happiness. Joy. Laughter.
    The words evoked a face. Just one.
    And sadly, it was the wrong one.

Chapter Five
    In Florida, sexual relations with a porcupine are illegal.
     
    Kristen clicked through her email, intent on answering the most pressing stuff then heading home. A glance at the clock revealed it was nearly eight. Even though they had hired two new interns, some nights she found it difficult to break old habits. Especially when all that awaited her was an empty house.
    Two weeks had passed since Jason’s kiss. Every day since then she’d relived it over and over until she feared she’d go mad.
    Despite Zoey’s advice that she figure out what would make her happy, Kristen decided it was easier to bury her head in the sand instead. So for fourteen long days, she’d thrown herself into her work, avoiding Jason as much as possible. Fortunately, that had been made easy due to the fact they were both working big cases. She’d spent most of last week in the courtroom, while he’d been out of the office the past three days dealing with jury selection for a civil trial looming on his horizon.
    At night, she went out to dinner with Matthew or hung out with the wine girls. They’d had a few brief bursts of beautiful sunshine, so she and her friends had taken advantage of it—grilling out together or sitting in the common grassy area behind their townhouses, soaking up rays.
    Then she’d lie in bed and wait for Jason’s nightly phone call. Mercifully, he hadn’t continued to press his suit, accepting her assertion that they keep things professional, platonic.
    Damn him.
    She’d started living for ten o’clock when the phone would ring. They usually didn’t do much more than recap their days or watch repeats of The Office together, laughing at the silly lines. While the subject matter was run-of-the-mill, the hour before bed had become Kristen’s favorite time of the day. Then they’d say goodbye and she’d fire up one of her toys. She’d given up pretending that it wasn’t Jason starring in all her masturbation fantasies, and instead embraced the idea. Sometimes she could even pretend the lackluster orgasms she granted herself were enough to cool the flames raging between her and Jason.
    Almost.
    “No plans tonight?”
    Kristen looked up to find Jason leaning against the doorframe of her office.
    She shook her head. “Nope. Matthew’s working the nightshift at his practice’s after-hours clinic, so I thought I’d catch up on some paperwork.”
    “Leave it for the interns. We’re going out for my birthday.”
    She’d given Jason a gift this morning, then taken him out for lunch. “I figured you’d have a big bar crawl planned for you and Nick or a hot date with Monica.”
    “Nope. I’d actually intended to grab some takeout and eat while watching the Nationals game, but since you’re not busy with Matthew, I have something else in mind. I’d rather celebrate with you.”
    “I hate baseball.”
    He chuckled. “We’re not watching the game.”
    “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather call someone else to hang out with? Maybe someone fun?”
    Jason laughed. “Oh for God’s sake, you’re not that boring. Most of the time.”
    She shot him a dirty look.
    “Come on, Kris. I want to show you how forty is done, so you’ll be ready come July.”
    She closed down her laptop, grabbed her purse, then accepted his outstretched hand. “I think I’m nervous. Should I stop by the ATM for bail money first?”
    “Damn. What have I told you about being spontaneous? Getting arrested isn’t half as much fun if you’re prepared for it. Better to play it by ear. Besides I know a good attorney you can call who’d be more