I was starting to wonder if he was volunteering.

I smiled at Marie. No matter what Gary thought he could do to hurt her, I had no doubt she’d bounce right back on her feet.

The following evening, Marie and I shared the bathroom mirror to get ready. She was in a much better mood after we spent a full day shopping with a nice, leisurely lunch in between.

I was still a bit peeved that Ryan hadn’t returned my personal credit card, leaving me no choice but to use our joint card. I knew it was his way of making sure he was taking care of me, but I didn’t like being at someone’s mercy. I figured some new risqué bras and panties were a nice way of saying thank you.

Marie tugged at her new top and then abruptly stopped to hug me. “Thank you for buying this outfit for me. Once I get financially stable again, I’ll pay you back. I swear.” I rubbed my hand over her back. “Not necessary. You’re the one who told me I’d have to get used to spending my future husband’s millions, remember? Consider it a gift from the ‘Ryan says he owes you big-time for what you did for us’ fund.”

She dismissed my words with a wave of her hand. “I still feel bad, though. I hate not being able to afford the things I want without relying on Gary’s money. This totally sucks.” I looked at her knowingly.

“Okay, okay, I get it now,” she said. “I won’t tease you about spending Ryan’s money anymore. You and I weren’t raised that way. We’re used to earning our keep.”

I put my makeup away, straightening up the counter. “Exactly. Oh, I’m sure there are millions of women out there who wouldn’t even blink at becoming a pampered little house pet, doing nothing but gossiping and shopping all damn day. But that’s not how I want to live. You remember Melanie’s favorite saying?”

Marie smirked.

“‘I don’t owe you shit,’” we said in unison.

A second later Marie huffed, tucking her extra cleavage away. “Cripes. Mike is going to take one look at me in this getup and think that I’m some sort of desperate psycho ready to pin him to the wall. I just wanted a break from the stress to get my head together, not force the first warm, completely gorgeous body I come in contact with into an uncomfortable situation.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t view it that way.” At least I hope not. “No one is forcing either of you into a situation here. And by the looks of it, Mike seems more than willing to spend time with you.”

Marie rolled her eyes, but it was the truth and she knew it. His eyes had traveled up and down her body quite a few times, often fighting to decide between her face and her endowed chest.

“Is it too soon? Shouldn’t I be in mourn-ing or something for a year?”

“I don’t know. I guess if you don’t feel sad then what does that tell you?” She didn’t hesitate. “I’ve been unhappy for a long time. He’s treated me like crap for so long; I guess I’m numb to it. But when I just look at Mike, I feel it all the way down into my toes.”

“I can tell you he’s a great guy. I’ve really gotten to know him better these last few weeks. But I feel bad for him. His life con-sists of waiting on whatever Ryan has to do.

Most of the time he thinks he’s intruding on us, and when he escorts us safely someplace and then quietly steps out of the picture, my heart breaks for him. He’s probably looking forward to hanging out and not feeling like the third wheel for once.”

“Well, I’m not looking at this like it’s a date. I’m sure he is just being nice so I’m not going to read into anything.” The doorbell rang and Marie gasped. It was go time.

“Sorry I’m late.” Mike had on a pair of black dress slacks and a thin gray button-down shirt that left no curve of his upper body a mystery. As soon as I closed the door, I noticed something shimmer on his back.

“Turn around,” I said discreetly, pulling the Xll size sticker from the fabric. I quickly balled it up in my hand. I’d never seen Mike blush before.

“Oh shit. How embarrassing is that?” he mumbled.

I was delighted that he felt the need to buy a new outfit for tonight. “Don’t worry about it. It will be our little secret. You look really nice, by the way.”

Mike seemed genuinely nervous, brushing his hands over his slacks. “Thanks, Taryn.” The minute Marie stepped into the room I saw it cross over both of their faces—that flush of excitement caused by extreme attraction to another human being.

Mike had eyed Marie quite a few times in the past, but he left it at that. I also noticed him scowl at Gary once or twice as well, when Gary was being less than polite to her.

But Marie was unobtainable at the time.

Now the playing field was wide open. Her wedding rings were off, leaving only a faint indentation on her finger of a period in her life that would eventually fade and fill in time.

“Oh wow. You look, um, amazing,” Mike stammered, a hint of red staining his cheeks.

Oh how adorable! Look at him blush again.

Ryan also noticed the electricity zooming through the room. “Tar, can you help me a sec?” I followed him upstairs into our bedroom.

“We need to talk. You see what’s going on with them, don’t you?”

I smiled. “Yes. And I’m okay with it. Are you?”

Ryan looked tense. “Are you sure? He said he’d forget about it if you weren’t cool with it.”

Mike actually said something to Ryan about Marie? Judging by the look Mike gave Marie when she came into view, I’d say he’d have a tough time forgetting about her in that outfit.

“I’m sure,” I said. “But what concerns me is that I thought Mike was interested in Trish. I know he’s lonely and it’s not fair for him to sacrifice his personal life for us, but I won’t let him play both.”

Ryan nodded quite assuredly. “No, me neither. He likes Trish. He thinks she’s cute, but he didn’t have that instant chemistry with her that he’s feeling for Marie. Hell, I don’t need to say it—you can see it as well as I can. But I’m pretty sure his dick is doing most of the thinking and chemistry-feeling at this point. He knows she’s hurting and is in no way ready for anything serious.” Ryan rubbed my arm. “Hey, she’s my friend too, you know,” he went on. “And she’s my future wife’s best friend. I won’t allow anything to jeopardize that. Mike knows her current situation and I briefed him on some of the crap she’s going through. He’s willing to feel it out, but seeing that in the kitchen was like walking into a wall of sexual tension. Heck, I’d be surprised if they make it through dinner.”