Free Double Dare by Melissa Whittle

better.”
    “Wouldn’t cure what’s wrong, but it sure as hell would help. More chasing her and less chasing me. She’s nice.”
    Josh hesitated a beat longer this time, but finally added, “Tomorrow, after work, I’ll be hanging out with some friends. Guys I met at the college campus when I had to turn in my school schedule. Won’t be home until late, if at all.”
    Tobias had to force his expression to stay flat because he wanted to laugh. “Is this where you tell me about the birds and bees?”
    Josh grinned at him. “If you don’t know it, I can’t describe it.”
    *****
    “I need coffee before I can be subtle.” Sasha yawned and put her head down on the front table in Sweet Tooth.
    The plate scraped along the table as Emma slid her friend a biscuit drizzled with butter and honey. “I don’t know why subtle has to be attempted. First of all, I’m a grown woman. If I don’t want to do something, I shouldn’t be bullied into thinking differently.”
    “Bullied is a strong word to use,” Abigail said.
    Emma shrugged. “Encouraged. When you know it’s more effective to let me tell you how wrong you are and then let me stew.”
    “She’s right.” Sasha didn’t open her eyes. “Why am I here?”
    “Second, I’ve stewed.” Sasha didn’t even twitch at Emma’s announcement. “It was just mean to make her come,” Emma said.
    “If we have to get up this early, so does Sasha,” Abigail said. “At least once a year.”
    “It’s only fair.” Sasha yawned again. “Can we go get coffee and watch her flirt with Dark and Dangerous?”
    Emma pushed the plate closer to Sasha. Abigail was already halfway done with hers. “Eat first. And why aren’t you guys wondering what I’ve stewed about? I’m being mysterious.”
    “We know you,” Abigail started. “You’ve probably been thinking about Tobias off and on since you guys kissed. Then you find out he’s the owner of the business you want to work with. Plus, he’s been making eyes at you, but you haven’t stopped him in his tracks. You would have cut him at the knees by now.”
    Sasha yawned again, jaws stretched before straightening. “A sure sign you were thinking about him and what you wanted to do with him.” She widened her eyes and blinked several times. “Since we’re on the subject—you guys are the reason why I can’t find a decent man.”
    “How is that possibly on the subject?” Emma shook her head.
    “Whoa!” Abigail put up her hands. “How did we get the blame?”
    “You,” Sasha pointed to Emma, “make sure I’m fed. You,” she pointed at Abigail, “make sure my boundaries are pushed and that I’m not letting myself fall into a rut.”
    “Watching naked men pose all day can turn into a rut?” Emma asked.
    “I understand what a male OB/GYN feels like,” Sasha said. “The odd one might make your brows rise, but if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. Anyway, at the end of the day all I need is my itch scratched.”
    Her statement quieted the table. Emma shook her head, refusing to believe the theory. “Maybe you haven’t found the right man. I mean, I only cover one part of the food group. Abigail only points out what we’re doing wrong. She’s Type A through and through.”
    “I tell you when you’re doing something good.” Abigail crossed her arms.
    Emma scoffed. “The last time?” She added, “Without sarcasm.”
    “This biscuit is delicious,” Abigail said.
    “My food doesn’t count either.”
    Abigail pursed her lips and then said, “You have a lot of room to find a man who picks up our slack.”
    “Oh.” Sasha considered the conclusion and polished off the biscuit in two bites. “So, why do I keep finding losers?”
    Abigail and Emma shared a look, and unfortunately it was Emma’s turn to tell their friend. “You only date art models,” Emma said softly.
    “No, I don’t.” Sasha frowned.
    “Last five, for sure,” Abigail pointed out.
    “No,” Sasha said slowly,