Page 49 of Sinful Bride

But Pasha keeps proving to me that he genuinely does have my back. That—unlike so many people in my life up to this point—he actually thinks about me and my needs on top of his own.

I am not used to that.

Not by a long shot.

“Well?” I reach for Taty just to feel her little fingers wrap around mine. “What do you think?”

Hazel sighs. “I think it’s about damn time. I think you deserve all this luxury and more.”

“I’m not in it for the money.”

“Oh, I know. So does he. I mean that you deserve to be given everything, all this love and attention—and yeah, also some considerable spoiling.” Her voice softens. “God knows you’ve been going without for so long.”

I focus on my baby’s fingers so I don’t have to meet her knowing gaze. “I’ve managed.”

“Yeah, but you shouldn’t have to. It’s one thing if your family or your fiancé just doesn’t have the means. It’s a whole other terrible thing when they have half the universe in the palms of their hands, but they only give you scraps.”

Her words hit deeper than she knows. It’s something I’ve done a very good job avoiding— accepting the reality that is my own fucked-up family.

She reaches out to rub my arm with a free hand. “I’m so happy for you, Daph. Really. And you’re right: it’s not about the money. It’s about seeing you no longer accept second- or third-best. You’ve allowed people to walk all over you for years. I’m so—” She covers Taty’s ears again, dropping her voice to a whisper. “—fucking happy to see you standing up for yourself!”

At that, I can’t help but grin.

Hazel adjusts Taty on her lap, crossing her legs on the couch to form a pseudo-nest for the bundle. “So, tell me everything! What are we doing for your bachelorette party?”

“Bachelorette party?” I snort. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

“Boo! Boring!”

“Listen. Having some guy wave his wang at me is how all this—” I wave my fingers at Taty. “—started. So… no, thank you. Besides?—”

“I’m sorry, we need to hit the pause button here. Pasha just whipped it out and waved it at you?!”

“No! You know what I mean. The only naked guy I want or need to see, I haven’t seen naked in… shoot. Weeks. So no, I don’t want a bachelorette party.”

Hazel barks an incredulous laugh and shakes her head at me. “Okay, okay. One, your man better be seeing to your needs soon, and I mean soon!”

“He will! I’m just… healing.” From a shit ton more than just stitches.

“Right, right. Still. Two, you need to be honored! Showcased! This is the rest of your life we are talking about! You deserve, no—you need one night of unbridled debauchery before you enter your new lifetime of being a model wife and mother.”

All of that sounds exhausting.

“I love you, Haze. And I know for a fact that in any other circumstance, I’d be all for it. But?—”

“But your man’s possessive in the sexy way that might get you spanked?” She waggles her brows.

That, too. “But I’m exhausted. And all that sounds so…”

“Ah, I get it.” She winks. “We’ll figure something out. Don’t you worry.”

“I’m always worried, Haze. Especially when you wink like that.”

“Well, stop! You just lay back and be the beautiful, pampered queen that you are.”

I dramatically flop back on the couch just to make her laugh, which works. Without opening my eyes, I poke at a different topic I’ve been avoiding. “How’s things at the gallery?”

I can hear her wicked grin. “Oh, thank you so much for reminding me! I need to send you that video of The Tweedles getting their asses thrown out on the sidewalk. It was fantastic. I never knew Keith could screech that high! And I think Todd’s fingernails scratched out a path from wall to door.”

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