Pay-Per-Heart

by Grace McGinty

I gave him a tight smile, stepping away. “Something smells amazing.” Darwin beamed. “Everett used his special rub. He’s very good with his meat.” I choked on my Coke. “I’m sure he is.”

I was speechless. I could hear Morgan Freeman’s voice in my head muttering, “The woman was too stunned to speak.”

So I would do what any smart, mature woman would do. I was going to ignore it and pretend it never happened, while secretly thinking about it late at night while I touched myself. Like a grown-up.

Darwin stood in the middle of the living room. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today—” “Cut the crap, D,” Everett grumbled.