chapter 5

What did a ménage have to do with finding her a date for this nightmare wedding? Tally’s mind reeled.

“Would you be open to one?” Gerri asked, then quickly shook her head. “No, that’s not the right question.”

Thank God she’d caught herself. Tally wasn’t ready for that conversation.

“I mean, would you ever consider being with two men at once?” Gerri clarified.

Tally’s jaw dropped, her words evaporating. She couldn’t even muster a polite way to say it was none of Gerri’s business. Asking her neighbor for help was clearly a mistake.

“Gerri,” she said, setting her tea down and preparing to stand. “I don’t think ”

Gerri’s sharp look silenced her. “If two men could give you the best sex of your life, would you say yes?”

Well, when she framed it like that.

“Um.” Tally bit her lip, heat creeping up her neck. “Together?”

“Yes, together.”

“Are they… doing stuff to each other, or just to me?”

Gerri sighed, a touch exasperated. “No, darling. It’s all about you.”

“Look, I’m not an expert on this stuff,” Tally said, irritation flaring at Gerri’s amused expression. She wasn’t some naive virgin, damn it. She’d had sex plenty of it, even if it was mostly lackluster. Amazing sex? That was another story.

“I’m sorry, Tally,” Gerri said, softening. “I didn’t mean to make you feel defensive. Some ménages involve everyone together, but I need to know your preferences.”

Tally exhaled, her nerves settling. “I wouldn’t say no to trying it. I’m not a prude, but I’m not exactly swinging from chandeliers either. Two hot guys giving me great sex? That’s a no-brainer.”

Gerri chuckled. “Smart woman.”

Tally leaned forward, trying to peek at Gerri’s notepad. “What does this have to do with my date?”

“Nothing. Just curious.” Gerri shrugged, her eyes glinting mischievously. “I’ve got plenty of gorgeous men in my system. Any preferences? Do you go for polished businessmen with kind eyes and devilish smiles, or rugged bikers with tattoos and jeans that hug all the right places?”

“God, if you could mash those two into one guy, I’d be in heaven,” Tally sighed, her mind flashing to the two men from the elevator. Their images biker intensity and polished charm sent heat surging through her.

Gerri’s eyes widened, a spark of realization in them. “You’ve got someone in mind already!”

“No!” Tally protested, her cheeks burning. “I just… remembered your guests from earlier. Those guys were… well, insanely hot.”

A sly, almost predatory grin spread across Gerri’s face. “My nephew and his friend. Yes, they’re quite the catch.”

Hot as sin with a side of trouble, Tally thought, but “handsome” worked too.

“How’s your luck been with men?” Gerri asked, her tone casual but probing.

Tally didn’t bother sugarcoating it. “Awful. I only attract jerks or the weirdest rejects from some bizarro dating pool.”

“Really?” Gerri tilted her head. “But you’re such a stunning woman.”

Tally gave a wry smile. “Come on, Gerri. I know I’m not hideous, but my hair’s a curly mess, I’ve got more curves than a racetrack, and apparently my attitude needs ‘sweetening,’ according to my last two dates.” She clenched her jaw, irritation flaring. “They also said I shouldn’t have such high standards because ‘looks aren’t everything.’ This is from a guy who used a fake profile photo.”

“Oh?” Gerri’s voice held a note of intrigue.

“Yeah,” Tally said, her anger resurfacing. “He used a picture of some hot British actor, claiming he looked just like him. Spoiler: he didn’t. The actor had hair; this guy was bald. The actor was fit; this guy was a slob with stained sweats. And his teeth? Yellow as corn.”

“Wow,” Gerri said, grimacing. “That sounds dreadful.”

“It gets worse.” Tally glanced at her plate, smudged with icing. “He took me for coffee and ‘forgot’ his wallet, so I had to pay.”

“Oh, you poor thing,” Gerri said, her face a mix of sympathy and horror.

“I’ve got a hundred more stories like that,” Tally said, her voice tight. “Dating’s a nightmare, and I’m done with it. But I need someone for this wedding someone jaw-droppingly hot, even if it’s just for one night. I want my family to shut up about my love life. Can you help?”

Gerri nodded, her eyes gleaming. “Absolutely, I can.”

“The hotter, the better,” Tally said. “I want them speechless.”

Gerri’s laughter filled the room. “My dear, you’re my kind of client. I’ve got just the thing for you.”

“Good.” Tally stood, heading for the door with Gerri beside her. “I need him for the bridal shower next week. I’ll be coming straight from work, so have him meet me at the restaurant. I trust your judgment, so whoever you pick, I’m fine with.”

Gerri’s grin widened. “I’m glad. You’ll keep an open mind, right?”

Tally snorted. Her mind was as open as it got hell, she was letting her elderly neighbor play matchmaker for a family wedding. If that wasn’t wild, what was? “Yes, I’ll keep an open mind,” she said, pausing at the door. “Just make sure he has hair, decent teeth, and clean clothes. I can handle pretty much anything else.”

“Done,” Gerri promised. “Don’t worry. Your dream date is coming.”

Tally laughed. “I’ll take a nice guy who doesn’t smell like a locker room.”

“Trust me, you’re safe with me,” Gerri said.

Tally nodded, waving as she headed to her apartment. “Good night, Gerri.”

“Good night, Tally. Have faith it’ll all work out.”

Easier said than done.