Page 99 of The Thug And His Doll

“No,” he replies, brushing his lips against mine. “Hearing the love of my life admit that she loves me back.”

“Oh that,” I say, letting out a quiet laugh.

“So you love me then?”

I nod. “Have since you showed me your Fred Flinstone.”

“So that’s what did it?” he grins. “I knew it would come in handy one day. Funko Pops for the win.”

“I wasn’t talking about that Fred Flinstone,” I reply, pressing my lips against his and kissing him deeply.

The paramedic clears his throat and we pull apart, breathless, happy, in love. “We should get you to the hospital. You need stitches and a CT scan just in case,” he says.

“Let me just call Daisy and tell her what’s happened,” I say, reaching for my bag.

“No need. I think we got the gist of it,” Daisy says as the paramedic steps aside.

She’s standing at the foot of the ambulance, Toby in her arms, a wide grin on her face. “Talk about attention seeking,” she says, chuckling. “You should win an Oscar for that performance.”

“Funny,” he replies.

“Are you okay, Drix?” Toby asks, his little face crumpling with worry.

“It’ll take more than some ice to finish me off, buddy. I’ll be just fine,” Drix replies, giving him a wave.

“Would you take Toby home? I’ll go to the hospital with Drix,” I say, thinking ahead.

“No problem,” Daisy agrees, turning her attention to the paramedic. “Just make sure they sew him up well. I can’t have my brother’s beautiful face ruined with shoddy work.”

“I’ll be sure to pass that on.”

By the time we get home, it’s gone eight, Toby’s tucked up in bed and Daisy is waiting for us in the living room with four cups of cocoa on the coffee table.

“Thanks, Dalton. I appreciate you dropping us home,” Drix says as he plonks down on the stool, Dalton taking the armchair opposite Daisy. When I called him to explain what happened he insisted on picking us up and dropping us home.

“Of course, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to call you Bambi,” he replies with a mocking grin.

“Bambi?” Daisy asks, then realisation dawns and she giggles. “Oh, you mean the scene where he slips and slides on the ice.”

“Yep,” Dalton replies, popping the p and chuckling to himself. “Wish I’d been a fly on the wall when you dropped, Drix. I’m still laughing at the thought.”

“Well, I’m glad I could be of amusement, you arsehole,” Drix grumbles back, and we all laugh, even Drix.

“Thank you, Lia, for going with Drix to the hospital,” Daisy says as the laughter dies down. “He means a lot to me.”

“He means a lot to me too,” I say, reaching for Drix’s hand and squeezing it gently.

“And thank you, Dalton, for getting him home safe. I appreciate it,” Daisy adds, flicking her gaze to Dalton who nods.

“Of course.” He gives her a gentle smile, and this time she smiles back.

“Well, shit, if I’d known all it would take is a crack to my head to get you two to be friends, I would’ve done it sooner,” Drix says, chuckling.

“Hey, I wouldn’t go as far as friends,” Daisy pipes up, her cheeks flooding with heat. “At best we’re frenemies, and only for the Christmas period. I’ve no doubt he’ll do something to piss me off,and we’ll be back to hating each other after the festivities are over.”

“I can do frenemies,” Dalton says, reaching for his mug of cocoa and taking a sip.

Drix yawns, swiping at his face. “As much as I’d like to sit here and dissect your annoying as fuck relationship, I really just want to sleep. Are you good to drive home?” he asks Dalton.

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