Champagne Rules. Susan Lyons

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      “This had better be good,” Rina grumbled as she dropped into the last chair at the sidewalk table at Sophie’s Cosmic Café. “I had to move a clarinet lesson and deal with the dratted bridge traffic.” She lived on the North Shore, over the Lion’s Gate Bridge.

      “Well, I had to reschedule a client,” Ann said. “And catch a cab from Georgia and Burrard at noon, along with three dozen other businesspeople.”

      “I was free as the wind.” Jenny grinned. “Being self-employed has a heck of a lot going for it.” Her grin widened. “Plus, this could count as research. It could be fun to do an article on internet dating.”

      “Sex,” Suzanne murmured, just as Ann said, “Been done too many times already, but—” She broke off. “Did someone say sex?”

      Flushing, Suzanne leaned forward and beckoned them all to do the same. This wasn’t a conversation she wanted anyone overhearing. “Internet sex. I’ve been having IM sex.”

      “IM? Instant messaging?” Rina queried, but Jenny’s voice overrode her. “Holy crap, woman, tell all! With caveman?”

      “Yes. With Jaxon. That’s his name. Spelled with an ‘x’ rather than a ‘c-k.’ He lives in San Francisco.”

      “Obviously you decided to reply to his e-mail,” Ann said dryly.

      “Monday night. And we’ve been e-mailing back and forth and…”

      “And having IM sex?” Rina finished, her dark brows drawn together in puzzlement. “How on earth do you have IM sex?”

      Suzanne knew her cheeks were fiery by now.

      Jenny saved her by saying, “Get a grip, Rina, use a little imagination. Think of how you have phone sex.”

      “Phone sex? What, exactly, do you do with the phone?” Rina asked with pseudo-innocence.

      They all burst out laughing.

      “Seriously,” Rina said, “I’ve never had phone sex. But I can imagine. You talk dirty to each other?”

      “Among other things,” Ann said smugly.

      “Aha!” Jenny pounced. “You have some experience.”

      “I dated a guy who lived in Toronto and we only saw each other every two or three months. But we did burn up the phone lines.”

      Suzanne stared at her friend. Why did she always assume Ann was as starchy as her tailored suits? “You’ve had phone sex? So, you mean he tells you what he’d like to do to you? And you, uh, touch yourself and…”

      “I’d guess it’s pretty much the same as cyber sex. Is that how you and Jaxon do it?”

      Suzanne clapped her hands to burning cheeks. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation. It’s like something out of Sex and the City.”

      “Never that,” Jenny said. “We’re way too stuffy for that.”

      “Inhibited,” Rina said.

      “Reserved. Discreet,” Ann contributed.

      “Canadian.” Jenny rolled her eyes. “Only in New York are gals that out there.”

      Suzanne winced. “But don’t you see, that’s what Jaxon expects from me. I’m outrageous69. He doesn’t know I’m this stuffy, inhibited, reserved, discreet Canadian. Well, he knows I’m Canadian, but he thinks I’m like Samantha used to be on Sex and the City. Completely concerned with sex.”

      “Let me see,” Ann said mischievously. “The first time you meet the man, you end up in a cave, uh…Okay, let’s call an apple an apple, like Samantha would. Fucking. Three times.”

      The word “fucking” made Suzanne flinch. But Ann was right, it had hardly been making love.

      “Then,” Ann said, “the next time you’re in touch, you’re both typing sexy suggestions and masturbating.”

      Suzanne winced again. Damn, how could she pretend to be outrageous if words like “fuck” and “masturbating” embarrassed her?

      Ann raised her eyebrows. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m thinking Samantha would be proud of you, Suze.”

      “But it’s not me,” she admitted softly. “Not the real me.”

      “Then who is it?” Jenny asked. “That evil twin again?”

      “No! It’s not evil, it’s…” She frowned. It sure hadn’t felt evil, it had been so…“Sexy,” Suzanne said, her confidence beginning to grow again. She gave a firm nod. “That’s it, it’s my sexy twin. And that’s who has to go on my date with Jaxon.”

      “Suzie! You’ve arranged to meet him?” Rina spoke first, but all three of them gaped at her.

      Their waitress interrupted, impatient to take orders. When she mentioned the daily special, some kind of fancy salad, everyone quickly ordered it. Jenny said, “And curly fries, we have to have a ton of those fantastic curly fries.”

      As soon as the waitress had gone, Jenny turned to Suzanne. “Okay, Suzie Q, spill. What’s the scoop?”

      “He’s flying up on Friday and we’re going to meet.” She gulped. “I’m terrified.” Because, after all, she really was Suze, the sensible, boring twin.

      “What do you know about this man?” Ann asked. “What does he do? Are you sure he’s not married? What about—”

      Suzanne broke in. “I did ask if he was single, and he said yes.” She frowned. “I have no way of knowing for sure, but why would he lie? Why would he think I’d even care?”

      “Because you do,” Ann pointed out.

      “No! I mean, yes, I do, but that’s the sensible twin. Why would he think outrageous69 would give a flying”—she swallowed and made herself say it—“fuck whether he’s married? And no, I don’t know what he does for a living. I didn’t ask and he didn’t say. And I didn’t tell him what I do.”

      Ann’s frown made Suzanne rush on. “Don’t you see, that’s not what we’re all about, Jaxon and me? It’s not one of those typical relationships where you meet the guy’s family and friends, where he talks about his job, sports, whatever. Don’t get me wrong, that stuff is great. That’s what my life will be like when I’m a vet and I meet the right man, and we get to know each other, make sure we’re long-term compatible, then get married, buy a house, have kids.”

      And СКАЧАТЬ