Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 105679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
She wolfs down the treat, then as the dish bakes, I retreat to the couch with my phone. Roxy follows me, wagging her tail hopefully. I peel off my sock and toss it her way.
Excitement flashes in her doggie eyes, and she grabs it from the floor, then scampers to the bedroom to drop it in her sock collection. She trots back, sockless, and I scoop her up so she doesn’t jump and miss the couch. Her little legs aren’t as strong as they were. She curls up next to me with a sigh that suggests she had a long, long day and is so relieved to finally relax. Well, being a spoiled Chihuahua-Beagle is hard.
Jackson’s out with some friends, but instead of catching up on my book club reading, I turn to my texts, sending a quick note to check in with my sister Katie. She tells me she’s learning so much, and loving every day, so I bring up my group chat with Trina and Aubrey. I need some girlfriend time.
Ivy: I was today years old when I discovered I now work with the guy I secretly saw naked last night.
My phone lights up seconds later.
Trina: I’d like the dick details, please.
After I give the rooftop striptease debrief, Trina replies.
Trina: Well, that’s a lot to unpack.
Ivy: Yes, it was a lot.
Trina: And did you say that when you saw him at work?
Aubrey: Or did you add a personal touch? Like, That’s a real nice cock. Can you smack me in the eye with it tonight?
Cracking up, I dictate a reply.
Ivy: I didn’t hit on his dick at work. Or him.
Aubrey: Try harder next time, please!
Trina: Also, which player was it??? I need to know.
Trina knows pretty much all the hockey players on both the city’s teams. She’s not only involved with my brother; she’s with Jackson’s brother, Chase too. More than a year ago, they fell in love with her, and she fell for both of them. They all quickly moved into Chase’s place, and I moved into Ryker’s here in this building—at a bargain basement price. All I needed to do was give my brother a kick in his pants and tell him to go after his unconventional arrangement.
Their throupling has garnered a lot of attention amongst hockey fans and romance lovers alike. It’s unconventional, but it works great for the happy threesome. They’re living their life out in the open, and it’s seriously refreshing to see—and refreshing how far the media and the sports world have come in their acceptance of them. At events, photographers post pics of Trina and her two NHL superstar boyfriends, tagging and captioning the pics just the same as they would any other player and a significant other. As it should be.
The three of them have also become passionate advocates for rescue dogs, and they work together to raise money for several shelters. No doubt some people shake their heads behind closed doors at their arrangement, but that’s people for you. For the most part, the boys have paved the path by living in the public eye with Trina as their girlfriend.
Ivy: Hayes. The new guy.
Trina: Oh, I thought you were going to say Stefan, since he owns the penthouse in your building!
Huh. But that makes sense. I’ve seen him around from a distance a few times.
Ivy: Is there nothing you don’t know?
Trina: When you go to hockey events for two teams, you learn all the details. Also, Hayes is hot, but so is Stefan…and did you hear the news about him?
Ivy: Tell me.
While I wait for her reply, I spot an envelope icon winking at me. Maybe it’s a response from one of the editors I queried about fashion writing. Or maybe a designer with a marketing opening.
Instead, it’s a notification that I have new comments on my post about today’s fashion rules. Well, that’s good too.
The first is from a user I don’t know, saying This is why I shower before I leave the house.
I laugh, then reply before I open the next one, which is from my grandmother. Her handle is CardShark, and she writes: Same rules apply in the place where I live too. What if I run into the cute widower who can still drive at night? A lady can’t shuffle around in her jam-jams. Linen is my friend, as my granddaughter taught me.
I smile, grateful for her support. The next one is from the hopeful guy. Intrigued, I click on it.
Number18: The timing wasn’t right. But I’ll try again.
YourScrappyLittleFashionistaFriend: Timing is everything.
Number18: Timing is the only thing.
YourScrappyLittleFashionistaFriend: Truth.
Number18: But I love a good challenge. And I’m up for one.
Well, someone is definitely confident. And while the last thing I need in my life is an online flirtation with a stranger, I write back anyway.
YourScrappyLittleFashionistaFriend: And you know how to dress for one. In a dark green Henley.