TY
I’ve been wanting to text you all day.
TY
But I couldn’t risk getting turned on at work 😉
JACEY
Please delete my number.
TY
You know that was hot.
TY
Those lacy thigh-highs…God, those were great.
JACEY
You need to forget that happened.
JACEY
Because Kim is my best friend.
TY
But Kim and I broke up!
JACEY
But she’d hate me if she knew what happened between us.
TY
So Kim and I dated for a few months.
TY
And now the rest of our future is in the palm of her hand?
TY
She decides who we can and can’t see?
JACEY
We made a pact in high school: We don’t date guys the other one has dated.
JACEY
I told you about that last night. It’s what we always do.
TY
But what if we’re the next big thing?
JACEY
And what if we’re not?
JACEY
And I’ve trashed a lifelong friendship?
JACEY
For some guy who turned out not to be worth it?
TY
Believe me, I’m worth it.
TY
You know we were amazing together.
JACEY
Amazing or not, it was a mistake.
TY
Will you have dinner with me tonight?
JACEY
What did I just tell you?!
JACEY
Plus I’m meeting Kim for happy hour.
TY
What if I just happened to meet you there?
JACEY
She’ll take one look at us together and know.
TY
She’s seeing someone else.
JACEY
That’s not the point.
JACEY
That’s not why we have this rule.
TY
I’ve been thinking about you all day.
TY
That birthmark on your left hip.
TY
Kissing you in the rain.
JACEY
Please delete this conversation.
TY
It was hands down the best sex I’ve ever had.
TY
On a fire escape, that is 😉
JACEY
But it was also wrong.
TY
What if we keep this between us for a while?
TY
If it’s just sex, Kim doesn’t have to know.
TY
If it turns into more, and she isn’t happy for you, then she’s not worth it.
JACEY
No. I can’t keep something like this from Kim.
TY
Did you tell her about last night?
TY
Then you’re already keeping something from her.
JACEY
DELETE THIS CONVERSATION.
Ten minutes later, Jacey gets out of her Uber.
And enters the crowded Frayed Knot Pub.
She walks through and scans for Kim but doesn’t see her.
Then she goes to the bar and takes the last available stool.
JACEY
I’ll have a whiskey and diet, please.
She hears a familiar voice behind her.
TY
Put it on my tab, barkeep.
JACEY
How did you get here so fast?
TY
I came straight from work.
TY
You look incredible. That dress is kickin’.
JACEY
You obviously know my happy hour of choice.
TY
Wasn’t too tough to guess.
TY
A little over six months ago
TY
This is where I first met you, remember?
TY
And last night, you practically dared me to meet you here after work.
JACEY
Blame it on the whiskey.
JACEY
Kim will be here any minute now. You should go.
TY
I like this bar. I have fond memories of this place.
TY
Right over there, in that corner booth…
TY
That’s where I sent an Irish Coffee to warm you up on Saint Patrick’s Day.
JACEY
I can’t do this. Kim’s like family.
TY
I’m not asking for an invitation to Christmas dinner.
TY
My place this time. Meet me after last call. No risk. Big reward.
JACEY
I can’t lose her as a friend.
She slides a ten toward Ty.
TY
God, I can’t stop thinking about those panties.
TY
Peeling them off your drenched body…
JACEY
I’m officially ignoring you.
JACEY
It was a bad decision.
TY
It’s been a long time since I felt like this.
JACEY
At least since Kim.
TY
Hey, I came up to YOU that first night we met.
TY
You had a boyfriend, but I wanted YOU all along.
JACEY
That can’t be right.
JACEY
No one chooses me over Kim.
TY
You were shivering. There was snow in your hair.
JACEY
There was snow in Kim’s hair, too.
TY
But Kim wasn’t wearing over-the-knee green suede boots and a plaid miniskirt.
JACEY
You remember what I was wearing?
TY
And Kim didn’t have a pile of hair clipped up and falling around her face.
TY
Your cheeks were so pink.
TY
But then your tower of a boyfriend showed up.
TY
And the rest is history.
JACEY
That’s a convenient twist of the truth. You were into Kim right away.
TY
Let’s leave now. Before she gets here.
JACEY
No. She’s already on her way.
The bartender arrives with the drink.
JACEY
I’m trying to do the right thing.
JACEY
We screwed up royally last night—
TY
We did SOMETHING royally last night.
JACEY
But she’s still my best friend, and you’re still off limits.
There’s nowhere to go in the crowded bar.
Jacey turns her back to Ty and sips her whiskey.
Ty playfully nudges her but she doesn’t respond.
Feeling nervous, Jacey drains the drink too quickly and turns to order another.
JACEY
You’ve got me so rattled, you’re literally driving me to drink.
TY
Go to the ladies room. Take off your panties.
JACEY
Yeah. Like THAT’S gonna happen.
TY
In my experience, you’re more relaxed when you’re not wearing panties.
JACEY
What makes you think I’m wearing any now?
JACEY
But say I am. I take off my panties in the ladies room. Then what?
TY
Then you think about me every time you feel a little thrill down there.
JACEY
And what do you get out of it?
TY
The knowledge that you’re thinking of me.
TY
I don’t need more than that.
TY
And maybe later, when you’re not thinking about Kim’s best interests, but your own, you give me a call.
TY
I send a car and bring you back to my place.
TY
Take you up to my rooftop. Lay you down.
TY
Kiss every interesting part of you until the sun comes up.
TY
And maybe even spend tomorrow wrapped up in you.
TY
God, just thinking about it—
JACEY
Kim just walked in.
JACEY
She can’t see us together.
Ty shoves a card into her hand.
TY
I’ll respect your space. I’ll leave.
TY
But if you change your mind, call this number.
TY
It’s my favorite Uber driver. He’ll bring you to my place.
TY
It’ll be our little secret.
JACEY
Do you have to be this irresistible?
TY
So what’s the status on the panties? Or lack thereof?
Jacey winks as Ty steps away from the bar.
JACEY
You’ll have to wait until last call.
