“Have you talked to Jake about it?” Crystal asked, looking concerned.

   “I’ve brought it up a couple of times, but I just come off sounding like I’m jealous, which only makes her look better. He thinks she’s accepted things as they are and he’s not going to make any waves with her when she’s not doing anything to cause trouble. He was sweet about it. He asked if she’d said or done anything to me that he’d missed, and I had nothing. Really, how would he respond if I said, ‘She’s looking at me funny, make her stop?’ So instead, all I can do is grin and bear it while I suspect she’s making a play for my husband.”

   “I love how easily you say that.” Mia grinned. “For two people who got married in ass-backward fashion, you’re one of the happiest couples that I know.”

   “Mark says that Jake always refers to you as his wife at the office,” Crystal piped in. “Have either of you said the L-word yet?”

   “That would be a no.” Lydia sighed.

   “Well, do you love him?” Mia asked bluntly. “Are you holding back waiting for him, or do you just not feel that way at this point?”

   Running a hand through her hair, Lydia admitted, “I do—love him. I know it’s fast and we haven’t been together for that long. But I was halfway in love with him that first night we made love on his kitchen counter. Er . . . I didn’t mean to say that,” Lydia stuttered.

   Mia whistled in a move that would make a sailor proud. “Now, that’s what I’m talking about! We all need to talk about sex more—the kinky variety. I’d be happy to tell you about a few of my hotter moments with Seth if you give the deets on Mark and Jake.”

   “No!” Crystal quickly interjected. “I can hardly look Seth in the eyes now. I swear when he came up to congratulate us at our wedding, all I could think about was the fact that he has a monster pecker! And that’s something no bride should be picturing about another man when the ink isn’t even dry on her marriage license.”

   Wiggling her brows, Mia said, “Well, honey, it is huge. If it makes you feel any better, I thoroughly rode that baby all the way to the big O-town just hours after that.”

   Despite herself, Lydia couldn’t contain her giggle. She certainly wasn’t a woman of the world sexually by any means, but Crystal, who was married to a well-known playboy, looked so adorably flustered. No doubt, one of the qualities Mark loved about her. Even after being married once before him, she retained that innocence that men found so attractive. “Don’t feel bad,” she whispered to Crystal. “I was thinking the same thing when I saw Seth as well. We know way too much about the size of his equipment and how he uses it.”

   “Blah, blah.” Mia shrugged. “I love that man of mine and I’m going to brag about him from time to time. He knows it and he’s resigned to the fact. Hell, I’d hazard a guess that he likes thinking that all of my lady friends know what he’s packing.”

   Since Mia was speaking so candidly of her relationship, Lydia decided to ask a question she’d often wondered about. “You and Seth have been together for a while. Any plans for wedded bliss in your future?”

   Not looking in the least uncomfortable, Mia shook her head. “We’ve discussed it, of course, and Seth has let it be known that he wants that sooner rather than later. Underneath it all, he does have a traditional side that wants to settle down and produce some offspring. I also love how our lives are right now and selfishly am not ready to change that. So we’re happily living together until we’re ready to take the next step. I have no doubt in my mind that he is my future. I might admire other men, but Seth became it for me shortly after my mother bought him at that bachelor auction.”

   Lydia’s mouth dropped open as she sputtered out, “Wait—what?”

   Crystal laughed as she asked, “You never knew that? Mia actually met Seth while doing an installation at his Oceanix Resort. Then her mother decided to purchase him for her at a charity auction.”

   “It was actually for a date,” Mia clarified. “And after a few bumps in the road, we’ve been together ever since. I freaking love the hell out of that man.”

   “Wow,” Lydia muttered. “I think it’s official, Crystal—you and Mark have had about the most normal courtship of us all. Mia bought her man, and I married mine in a drunken Vegas moment.”

   Crystal threw out her hand, fist bumping them both before saying, “Yep, I just puked on Mark’s shoes and passed out in his arms. I’d consider that pretty traditional compared to you two.”

   After their laughter had died down, Mia looked at Lydia and asked, “So what do you plan to do about Chris? That homewrecker is totally after your man. If he’s not catching on to that fact, then you need to really be on your game. Don’t give her any opportunity to be alone with him.”

   “But I trust Jake,” Lydia protested. It felt wrong to consider watching him like some cheating boyfriend. She didn’t think he would ever do something like that to her, but she certainly wouldn’t rule out Chris giving it her best try.

   “Why haven’t you told him how you feel about him?” Crystal asked. “I know it’s hard especially if he hasn’t said it yet, but someone has to be first, right?”

   “I guess I’m just afraid of making things awkward. I know he cares about me because he’s said that many times. And there are times when I think it goes beyond that . . . but I don’t know. I never had to worry about this stuff with Brett. He said the words first and often. But with Jake, I’m constantly second-guessing myself. He’s very affectionate and the . . . sex is amazing. We also enjoy spending time together just doing mundane things like cooking or watching football.”

   “Those are great signs,” Mia assured her. “If he were just in it for the sex, he wouldn’t bother himself to do all of that other stuff. He obviously likes being with you in and out of the bedroom. Regardless of why you got married, you have something between you that is continuing to grow and evolve.”