Page 97 of Shameless Expectations

“Then that’s all I needed to hear.” He sighed lightly, but it wasn’t in stress, it was in relief. “Will you get everything set up?”

“Yes. Yes, I can do that.” She wiped her cheeks again as she spotted Monti on the horizon. “It’ll take a while to get all the paperwork together.”

“Take your time. It’s not like we’re in a rush.”

“Yeah, no rush.” Except it didn’t quite feel that way. Monti meandered up toward the house. Athena needed to end the call. She smiled. “I love you, Kevin.”

“Love you, Athena. Since I’m assuming your love just walked in—”

“Kevin…” Athena said in a warning.

“I’m not taking that one back. I’ll let you go so you can be with her.”

“Do you even know her name?”

“Does it matter if she makes you happy?”

Athena’s smile faltered. He would be the most supportive person on this planet. How she’d ever been so lucky as to find him and love him and grow up with him, she’d never know. But she couldn’t have made it through life without him. “I’ll call you soon.”

“You do that. Remember, Athena, don’t be afraid.”

He had told her that countless times over the years. But for the first time, she believed that it might be possible.

“I’ll try,” she whispered, knowing it was the answer he expected. “Talk to you soon.”

Hanging up, Athena slid her phone into her pocket. She left the den and met Monti at the door. Monti looked wind worn, her hair wild around her face as if it had battered her along her walk. But she’d never looked sexier. With the pink in her cheeks, the sweat clinging to her skin. Athena sucked in a sharp breath when Monti’s eyes locked on hers.

Damn Kevin for being right.

But even if he was, that didn’t make this relationship the right one for both of them. Athena’s mouth went dry, and she wet her lips as best she could as Monti started toward the kitchen. On instinct, Athena followed her.

Monti had a glass of water in her hand while Athena pulled over a half-full bottle of wine she’d drunk earlier that day. “How was the run?”

“Not as useful as I’d hoped,” Monti answered, setting the glass on the countertop. “It’s beautiful here, though.”

“I’ve always loved it here.” Athena took one sip of her wine before putting the glass down next to Monti’s drink. “I never found running useful. Well, physical running.”

Monti laughed lightly, her lips curling upward. “I’m glad you can joke about your trauma. That’s a good sign, actually.”

“Is it?” Athena raised her eyebrows.

Struggling slightly, Monti snagged her glass again. “For you I think it is.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“I’m proud of the work you’ve done and the progress you’ve made. You should be proud of yourself too.”

Narrowing her eyes, Athena tried to figure out why Monti was talking like this, as if they were back to therapist and client. Sidestepping, as she did best, Athena slid in closer to Monti. The scent of her body, sweaty and sun-laden, hit her first, and Athena was so intrigued by it.

“Maybe you can teach me to like running someday.”

“Spoiler alert,” Monti teased back. “I don’t like running. Don’t get me wrong, I do love what it does for me, keeping my body in shape, and how it makes me feel when I’m done, but I much prefer a long walk in the woods to a run on the hot sandy beach.”

“Me too.” Athena looked up into Monti’s eyes. She dared herself to do the first thing that came to mind, so she reached forward and covered Monti’s hand with her own. She brushed her thumb back and forth in a gentle caress. “Maybe we should take that walk someday.”

“We can, if you want to.”

Was she just not being clear enough? Athena stepped in closer, their bodies brushing in the heat of the moment now. She pressed her palm to Monti’s hip, holding her close as she lifted up on her toes and touched their lips together. The kiss was sweet, full, and filled with tenderness.

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