Page 43 of Shiny Things

I walked her back to her car and kissed her goodbye. A car or two went by, but I didn’t give a shit. I wouldn’t say anything because I promised Kim that, but I was done hiding my feelings for her. If rumors started, it might be a blessing in disguise because she’d have no excuse not to go public about us.

Standing there, I watched her leave first and gave her a little wave. Just after she drove out of sight and I was about to mount my bike and head back to the office, a car pulled into her drive. I frowned before I realized it was my brother.

Ryan got out of his car and stood there staring at me.

“Hello to you too. What’s crawled up your ass this morning?”

“Tell me I did not just see you standing here out in the open kissing Kim Grimes.”

“So what if I was?”

“Elias, have you lost your mind? Mom will lose her shit when she hears about this.”

“I’m a grown ass man. I haven’t lived under our mother’s roof in over a decade and even then, I was never good at living by her rules, so why the hell do you think I’d start now?”

“What’s going on, E?”

“What are you talking about? What the hell are you doing here?”

“Dean called to tell me he drove passed Kim’s house and saw the two of you making out right here in the driveway. I had just left the office and came straight over to see for myself.”

“Yeah, well, Dean can screw himself. And Kim’s not here. Sorry you missed the show.”

“What are you doing? People are going to talk.”

“I don’t give a damn if people talk.”

But I knew Kim cared. It was one of the things she was most worried about.

“You better be serious about this girl because all hell is going to break loose when Mom finds out about this.”

“And I’m sure you’ll happily be the one to tell her.”

“Don’t be an ass. I’m just worried about you.”

“You don’t need to worry about me. I know what I’m doing.”

“Is it serious or just a fling?”

“She’s my true mate, Ryan. This is as serious as it gets. And she’s nervous enough about what people will say, so please, don’t be a part of it.”

He stared at me for a moment and then shook his head.

“I would never do that to you, brother. But a true mate? You’re sure?”

I couldn’t stop the grin that spread across my face.

“I’m sure. She finally let our ravens meet today, but I’ve been in love with her for a long time before that happened. I couldn’t be happier.”

Ryan started to relax. “Then I’m really happy for you, the both of you. Have you sealed your bond already?”

“No. She’s still a bit freaked out by it all and worried what people will think. Plus she got a taste of our mother this morning. That’s what Dean witnessed, me calming her down.”

I shook my head, still unable to believe the mess my mother was making for me.

“Mom knows?”

“No, but Gia’s using her kitchen for some upcoming events she has lined up and sent Kim there to get started this morning. Mom was going on about the addition of Grimes and Pierce representatives on the Council.”

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