“Incoherent works,” Piper chirped from her perch on the closed toilet seat, legs crossed. “It’s not like you’re going to debate world peace. You’re going to be chatting about light topics, just to get to know each other. Everyone wants this to be easy and fun. And I’m telling you, this will be a huge turn-on for Emma and Pete. They love meeting people for the first time. I think you’ll get a sexy vibe from them right away.”
Caroline licked the salt she’d sprinkled on the outside of her hand, downed the shot, then bit into the lime. She exhaled slowly and set the shot glass down on the counter.
“What kind of sexy vibe?” she asked, turning toward Piper. “Please don’t tell me they’re going to be obvious about it. If anyone realizes we’re out with them to interview them for sex, I’d die a million deaths. Do you think Bella is a bad choice? Too well-known? Maybe we should’ve gone to another city?” She wrung her hands.
Piper stood, putting her palms out in front of her. “Okay, I’m going to need you to step away from the freak-out. Bella is great. It’s local, but it’s huge and bustling with activity. No one—and I mean no one—is going to think you’re there for any kind of lewd activity. When I said sexy vibe, I didn’t mean they were going to manhandle each other at the table in front of you. I just meant you’re going to think they’re sexy together. They give off a very charming, raw appeal. Now take a deep breath. Jace is waiting. It’s seven forty-five, and you need to skedaddle.”
Caroline physically forced herself to calm down.
She was allowing herself to get too worked up. Piper was right. This was just dinner with another couple. Nothing was going to happen. No one was going to know. She and Jace had talked of nothing else for the last two and a half days. She knew all that, she just had to convince her brain to be on board.
There was a soft knock on the bathroom door. Jace edged it open with his hand. “You ready to go, Care?”
Caroline straightened and met her husband’s gaze. “I am. The alcohol is kicking in, and I feel a little…less insane.” She turned toward Piper. “Thank you so much for helping me get ready.” She gave her friend a quick embrace. “I couldn’t have done it without you. I’d be hunkered down in my PJs watching reruns of Lost if you weren’t here right now. Chickening out is my go-to in stressful times.”
Piper returned the hug. “Try not to worry so much, Caroline. This is going to be fantastic. And the best part? Nothing is going to happen tonight. Hopefully, you’ll come back from dinner with a definitive answer about whether you’re ready to jump into the wild world of group sex. And who knows? You might realize this is not what you want after all, and you’ll sleep like a baby tonight. But whatever you decide, I get a debriefing tomorrow! And I’m going to need you to remember all the little bits. Those are the best parts.” Piper giggled as she patted Caroline on the butt affectionately. “Go, have fun.”
“I’ll certainly try,” Caroline said. “If my neuroses don’t get in the way, I just might have fun.”
“That’s the spirit!” Piper smiled.
“This is going to be a piece of cake,” Jace said from the doorway. “We’ll just treat them like new friends and nothing more.”
She and Piper followed Jace out of the bedroom.
Caroline stopped to pick up her shoes, a beautiful pair of black high heels with a tiny row of rhinestones across the toe. She’d done her hair in a conservative chignon, and had added a simple pair of pearl earrings. They all headed downstairs.
Piper made a beeline for the back door, waving. “Have fun, you two!” Then she was gone.
Caroline picked up her purse and walked to her waiting husband. “You look beautiful,” he said, kissing her on the cheek. “Are you ready for this?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
* * *
His wife was so nervous, he felt her vibrating. Jace was having second thoughts about going through with this as he held on to the crook of Caroline’s arm, steering her through the crowded restaurant as they followed the hostess to the table.
Even though they’d spent weeks debating if they should do it or not, now that it was here it felt surreal.
Thankfully, the Slaters appeared to be in the very back of the restaurant. Bella was upscale Italian, and the décor was big leather booths and lots of red.
“Here you are,” the hostess said, laying down two menus across from a beautiful couple who were seated in the booth opposite them. “Enjoy your meal.”
Pete was on the end and rose halfway out of his spot to shake hands. Jace reached over and took hold, while directing his wife to slide into their side of the booth. Pete’s grip was firm, but not overly so. “Jason Stratton,” Jace said. “Nice to meet you. This is my wife, Caroline.”
Caroline was pale, but she gave a nod and uttered a quiet, “Hello, it’s nice to meet you both.”
“This is my wife, Emma,” Pete said, smiling.
“It’s so lovely you could make it,” Emma said as Jace took his seat next to Caroline, resting his hand on her thigh to reassure her. “We were so happy to get the call. We’ve been friends with Michael and Piper for quite some time, and any friends of theirs are friends of ours.”
Emma was very poised, Jace noted as he organized himself in the booth. She had long, red hair and creamy skin. It looked as though she never went out into the sun. She wasn’t his type, but he could appreciate her classic beauty. Pete was medium height, blond, and obviously worked out. He looked like he hadn’t shaved in a day or two. The guy looked like he’d be at home in the surf.
The Slaters already had drinks, so Jace raised his hand to get the waiter’s attention. His wife was going to need more alcohol to get through their meet and greet. The waiter rushed over. “What can I get you, sir?”
“One scotch, neat. And a gin and tonic.”
“Do you prefer any particular brand of alcohol?” the waiter asked.
“Macallan and Tanqueray, if you have them.”
“We do. Coming right up.” He turned and left.
“So, are you guys originally from this area?” Pete asked easily. “We’re both Midwesterners, but I’m originally from Illinois, and Emma is from Kansas.”
Jace let go of Caroline’s leg and draped his arm behind her and replied, “I grew up on a farm about an hour outside of Madison. After high school I went to play football at the University of Georgia, which is where I met my wife, who’s originally from South Carolina.”
“I played baseball for USC.” Pete smiled. “What position did you play?”
“Quarterback.”
“Impressive,” Pete said. “I played shortstop for the Trojans for three years, then a knee injury benched me indefinitely. It was a hard thing to give up.”
Jace nodded. “I know how that goes. I love the game of football, still do, but it took its toll. By senior year I had torn my meniscus in both knees, had several tendon issues in my right shoulder and my throwing elbow, and a herniated disc. It was time to hang up the cleats. It was bittersweet, but I was ready to get back to my roots here in the Midwest.”
Pete picked up his beer and leaned forward, resting an elbow on the table while he took a drink. He was very relaxed, and that put Jace more at ease. “That’s a tough break.” Pete set his glass down. “After baseball, I focused on getting my degree in advertising, and it was the best decision I ever made. I headed to Chicago after I graduated, and while I was there I met Emma.” He turned to his wife and smiled. “She was with a dance company at the time. We got married and moved here three years later.”
“Why’d you choose Madison over staying in Chicago?” Jace asked. “There’s lots more to do there.” He didn’t have to add “in the swinger world,” because that was a given.