Free Inside the Lines: Without a Trace series, a contemporary erotic romance novel by Ally Bishop Page B

I’m shocked to hear myself say: “I’ll think about it.”

Chapter 12
    Divine Accommodations
    A week later, Noah and I meet Ella and Ian at our favorite restaurant in the Village: a small Italian dive that has the best marsala you’ll ever taste. Fin had to work late tonight, and I was caught between sad and thankful. We’ve seen each other almost every night, and while it’s taking a toll on our sleep patterns—particularly his, as he has to be at a barn twenty miles outside the city by six a.m. to start work—we haven’t minded. While I want to introduce him to my friends, there’s a part of me that likes having this separate part of my life that is just me.
    Ella, who usually glows despite exhaustion, has circles under her eyes. Ian hovers over her a bit, and I eye her closely. “Are you getting sick?”
    She shakes her head, then leans against Ian’s solid shoulder. “No, I’m just beat. We’ve had what—four? Five?—parties in the last three days. Between that, my baby who depends on me for sustenance 24/7, and his stepdad’s heart attack, it’s been a week.”
    “Wait, what happened to your stepdad?” I look at Ian. Always handsome and elegant, even his usual easy smile seems to have a few cracks around the edges.
    “It happened two days ago. He’ll be fine, as it was minor with no permanent damage. He’s been working too hard, as we’ve all been telling him. But he doesn’t listen. This was his wakeup call.” He rubs the back of Ella’s neck as she turns her face towards him for a kiss.
    “I’m so sorry—that had to be terrifying.”
    He sighs. “It was, but he’s going to be okay.”
    I nod, but I’m surprised Ella didn’t tell me.
    Even tired, she senses my question. “I barely had time to get to the hospital in between parties and the kids.”
    “It’s okay. I can see you’re beat. You know I can help if you need anything.”
    She laughs. “Right, between whipping asses and the new man on the scene? Where would you have time?” She raises an eyebrow at me.
    “I always make time for my friends.” My cheeks warm. “I see someone’s been telling tales.” I glare at Noah.
    Noah holds up his hands. “You never said I couldn’t tell her about the new sexy on your whipping post.”
    I roll my eyes and chuckle. “Sexy is right.” I look at Ella. “He’s the guy on that billboard in Times Square for Monsieur.”
    Her mouth forms an “O” of surprise. “You mean the hot redhead with the fabulous ass?”
    Ian smirks at Noah. “And they say we men are terrible.”
    Noah smiles. “I’ve lived with both of them. I can assure you that they are both just as bad as, if not worse than, us.”
    I snort. “Whatever, Mr. I-Date-at-Least-Four-Women-a-Month.”
    “’Date’ is such a misleading word.”
    I nearly spit out my vodka and soda. “At least you’re honest.”
    Ella clears her throat loudly. “Back to the important subject at hand: so tell me more. Name, age, height, pedigree?”
    “Fin; twenty-three; six-four, maybe? And he’s Scottish, a ‘footballer,’ currently interning as a horse trainer, and wants to study to be a veterinarian.”
    She whistles softly. “Wow. I’d definitely have me some of that, t’were I in your position. And he’s younger, eh? Better stamina.”
    I nod as Ian laughs. “You are incorrigible, Mrs. Cane.”
    “Hm. We’ll see how incorrigible you think I am later tonight,” she teases as her arm moves beneath the table.
    “Hey, you two. Get. A. Room. I’m the baby here, and you might ruin my innocence.” Noah holds his napkin over his eyes.
    “Younger by two freakin’ months,” I point out as we’re both twenty-eight, but at this point, we’re all laughing.
    Noah gives me a pointed look. “Are you going to tell them your other awesome news?”
    Ella’s eyes light up as she and Ian look expectantly at me.
    I wasn’t keeping it a secret, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready to admit it was real, either. So I inhale deeply