Free Champagne Rules by Susan Lyons Page A

said, “I’ve never had phone sex. But I can imagine. You talk dirty to each other?”
    “Among other things,” Ann said smugly.
    “Aha!” Jenny pounced. “You have some experience.”
    “I dated a guy who lived in Toronto and we only saw each other every two or three months. But we did burn up the phone lines.”
    Suzanne stared at her friend. Why did she always assume Ann was as starchy as her tailored suits? “You’ve had phone sex? So, you mean he tells you what he’d like to do to you?
    And you, uh, touch yourself and . . .”
    “I’d guess it’s pretty much the same as cyber sex. Is that how you and Jaxon do it?”
    Suzanne clapped her hands to burning cheeks. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation. It’s like something out of Sex and the City .”
    “Never that,” Jenny said. “We’re way too stuffy for that.”
    “Inhibited,” Rina said.
    “Reserved. Discreet,” Ann contributed.
    “Canadian.” Jenny rolled her eyes. “Only in New York are gals that out there.”
    Suzanne winced. “But don’t you see, that’s what Jaxon expects from me. I’m outrageous69. He doesn’t know I’m this stuffy, inhibited, reserved, discreet Canadian. Well, he knows I’m Canadian, but he thinks I’m like Samantha used to be on Sex and the City . Completely concerned with sex.”
    “Let me see,” Ann said mischievously. “The first time you meet the man, you end up in a cave, uh . . . Okay, let’s call an apple an apple, like Samantha would. Fucking . Three times.”
    The word “fucking” made Suzanne flinch. But Ann was right, it had hardly been making love.
    “Then,” Ann said, “the next time you’re in touch, you’re both typing sexy suggestions and masturbating.”
    Suzanne winced again. Damn, how could she pretend to be outrageous if words like “fuck” and “masturbating” embarrassed her?
    Ann raised her eyebrows. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m thinking Samantha would be proud of you, Suze.”
    “But it’s not me,” she admitted softly. “Not the real me.”
    “Then who is it?” Jenny asked. “That evil twin again?”
    “No! It’s not evil, it’s . . .” She frowned. It sure hadn’t felt evil, it had been so . . . “Sexy,” Suzanne said, her confidence beginning to grow again. She gave a firm nod. “That’s it, it’s my sexy twin. And that’s who has to go on my date with Jaxon.”
    “Suzie! You’ve arranged to meet him?” Rina spoke first, but all three of them gaped at her.
    Their waitress interrupted, impatient to take orders. When she mentioned the daily special, some kind of fancy salad, everyone quickly ordered it. Jenny said, “And curly fries, we have to have a ton of those fantastic curly fries.”
    As soon as the waitress had gone, Jenny turned to Suzanne.
    “Okay, Suzie Q, spill. What’s the scoop?”
    “He’s flying up on Friday and we’re going to meet.” She gulped. “I’m terrified.” Because, after all, she really was Suze, the sensible, boring twin.
    “What do you know about this man?” Ann asked. “What does he do? Are you sure he’s not married? What about—”
    Suzanne broke in. “I did ask if he was single, and he said yes.” She frowned. “I have no way of knowing for sure, but why would he lie? Why would he think I’d even care?”
    “Because you do,” Ann pointed out.
    “No! I mean, yes, I do, but that’s the sensible twin. Why would he think outrageous69 would give a flying”—she swallowed and made herself say it—“fuck whether he’s married?
    And no, I don’t know what he does for a living. I didn’t ask and he didn’t say. And I didn’t tell him what I do.”
    Ann’s frown made Suzanne rush on. “Don’t you see, that’s not what we’re all about, Jaxon and me? It’s not one of those typical relationships where you meet the guy’s family and friends, where he talks about his job, sports, whatever. Don’t get me wrong, that stuff is great. That’s what my life will be like