Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
“Well, I don’t want to brag,” she flashes a cocky grin, “but I’m kind of an expert in shoving my foot in my mouth.”
I know she’s trying to lighten things up with a joke but I can’t do it. “I like you, Emily. You. Just the way you are.”
“I like you too,” she whispers.
I lean over and kiss her cheek. “Good.”
The microwave sings a few notes to let us know it’s done. Emily pulls out the plate, some silverware, and napkins and sets everything on the table in front of me. I dig in while she grabs two cans of seltzer from the fridge.
“Thank you.” I pull out the chair next to me. “Sit with me.”
“Of course.” She drops into the chair and pops her can open, taking a long sip.
“This is good,” I say, stabbing into another chunk of chicken. I’m hungrier than I realized and force myself to slow down and not shovel in food like an animal.
“Thanks. How was the rest of your night?”
“Told you.” I swallow and take a sip of seltzer. “Spent it missing you.”
The corners of her mouth twitch, like she thinks I’m full of shit and she’s trying not to laugh.
I set my fork down and slide my hand over hers. “Willow told me one of the girls was snippy with you. I’m sorry about that. I should’ve warned you that might happen.” I touch my temple. “Wasn’t thinking.”
She studies me for a moment, then takes another sip of her drink. “They seem to feel that they hold some sort of proprietary interest in you.”
“They?”
“Willow wasn’t as friendly as you led me to believe she’d be.” She shrugs. “Sorry. Not trying to complain. Or tattle. She said girls at the clubhouse would act even worse than that Agitation chick.”
“Agi-who?”
“Oh!” She grins. “Serenity didn’t seem to suit her personality, so I’ve renamed her in my head.”
I burst out laughing. That was definitely not the response I expected.
And it’s one of many reasons I like Emily so much. She’s full of surprises.
“I told Willow I already knew some of the brothers’ wives and they didn’t behave that way,” Emily says. “That seemed to shut down Willow’s attitude.”
Fuck. Willow’s always gotten along with everyone. Why would she give Emily a hard time?
“She’s not someone you’ve…” Emily lets me finish the question for myself.
“No. Never. Willow’s a friend of the club and works for CB. That’s it.” I chew on another piece of chicken, trying to think of something else to ease Emily’s concerns. “Actually, I think she’s seeing one of the brothers but no one really knows for sure.”
“It’s not a big deal.” She seems to shake off the memory of the conversation. “So how was the rest of your night? You didn’t have to teach anyone the meaning of ‘no touching’ again, I hope.”
“No. All good vibes tonight.” I set my fork down. “Bricks—one of my brothers—popped in with Ravage to cover me. I haven’t seen him in a bit, so I got to catch up with him.”
She tilts her head, studying me. “You were in a club with naked women and instead of watching, you stopped to have a conversation with a friend you presumably see at ‘church’ every week?” Disbelief coats the question.
“Brother, not friend,” I correct. “And yeah. He had some stuff on his mind.”
“Is he okay?” she asks.
My chest squeezes. She’s met Bricks maybe once for five minutes, but concern still resonates in her question. “He’s fine. His girlfriend wants to have another kid and he doesn’t. I guess she thinks his older kids can help out and he’s not cool with that.” I reach over and rest my hand on her leg. “Made me think of what you told me about your parents.”
She glances at the kitchen door as if she’s afraid Libby’s on the other side, listening in.
“I’d never say that in front of your sister, Emily.” How dense does she think I am?
“That’s not what I was worried about.” She glances down at her lap and rubs her hand over mine. “I was thinking how last week you came over banged up from kicking a customer’s ass and tonight you’re all kindness and sensitivity.”
I tickle my fingers over her thigh. “I’m a mixed bag.” Fuck, I don’t want her to have the wrong idea about me. “I don’t go deliberately looking for trouble.” Not always.
“But if it finds you, you don’t run away.”
She gets me. “That’s a good way to put it,” I agree.
After confirming I’m done, she stands and clears the table, rinsing off the plate, but leaving it in the sink.
I come up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist, resting my chin on her shoulder. “What’s wrong? You seem troubled.”
“I’m sorry if it seemed like I was trying to sneak attack you at work.”