Next Time by Robin Alexander Read Free Book Online Page B

biblical sense.”
    Payton’s brow rose. “Does she know about that?”
    “Oh, dear God, no. Don’t you ever let that slip in conversation.”
    “Oh, yes, that could happen so easily.” Payton turned in her seat and began talking as though someone was sitting beside her. “That reminds me of the time in college when Jana and I drank a pitcher of margaritas and had sex on her kitchen floor. It was then I learned that she has a birthmark at the top of her thigh, and she has deplorable housekeeping skills. I found a fry stuck in the crack of my ass.”
    “I’ve improved a lot since then.”
    “On what—cleaning your floors or your skills in the sack?”
    Jana grinned sardonically. “Both.”
    “I wish we hadn’t done that.”
    Jana rolled her eyes. “Don’t start.”
    “It seems so incestuous now.” Payton propped her chin in her hand. “I can never say my first time was with the love of my youth. No, I have to admit I took my best friend for a test spin. It was a long time until I could look you in the face and not see your—”
    “Hey! I don’t want to go back there.”
    Payton nodded. “Better left in the past.”
    “Your ass was lily white, like a fish belly,” Jana blurted out just as Payton was about to take a bite of her pizza.
    Payton glared at her. “I thought we were done with that.”
    “The brightness burned my retinas. You’re the reason I have to wear glasses.”
    “Are you done?” Payton asked with impatience.
    Jana nodded. “So what’s wrong with you?”
    Payton decided to be honest. “I’ve never really felt lonely, but I do now.”
    “Aw, because of me? We’ll spend more time together, I’ll make a point of it.”
    “No, that’s not it,” Payton said as she watched a couple walk into the parlor where they ate.
    “Then stop picking up women in mental institutions.” Jana’s eyes went wide as she said, “Lydia was nuts, no pun.”
    “She so was. When I told her I thought it was best that we break things off, she unleashed Barney the Bear on me. He’s an awfully profane character.”
    “I know you think Internet dating sites are bullshit, but look at me and Melanie. I feel like she was made for me. I’ll admit I did come across some strange people, but I found Mel. Sign up and have a look around. If you see a profile that looks interesting, chat with her. When you decide you want to meet someone in person, I’ll go with you like you did with me.”
    “I met a nice woman the night you met Melanie,” Payton admitted with a winsome smile. “Her only fault is that she belongs to someone else.”
    “Speaking of nuts, Leigh’s pretty insanely jealous. The next time we all get together, you may want to keep your distance from Ryann. I know you’d never mess with anyone in a relationship, but Leigh doesn’t, and she was really giving you the stink eye.”
    “Yeah, Leigh made that point when she shook my hand and tried to squeeze the bones out of it. I’m surprised she didn’t just pee on Ryann’s leg and mark her territory. The butch meathead.”
    “She said with a lot of venom.” Jana stared at Payton as she took a drink of her soda. “You can’t touch—”
    “I know,” Payton snapped. She shoved her plate aside. “I just don’t like Leigh.”
    Jana wiped her hands on her napkin. “Let’s go back to your house and create a profile for you. Give it a shot.”
    *******
    “Okay, I’ve made a list of your personality traits, good and bad. We’ll use this list to write a paragraph or two about you.”
    Payton huffed. “I’ve already answered like a billion questions. Why do I need to write anything about myself? It’s all right here,” she said as she pointed at the screen.
    “This is like an introduction.” Jana stared at her list. “Let’s start with the positive. You’re loyal, great sense of humor, intelligent, reliable. I’m just gonna throw this out there, you’re still kinda good-looking.”
    “Ass.”
    “Now for the negative.