Page 54 of Mark & Don't Tell

Are they serious? Chewing on my lip, I glance around to make sure no one has snuck up behind me at work. Luckily, it’s Friday, and almost everyone is telecommuting today. I came in to pack up a box of my things to take with me to Good Vibes.

Kai

Ignore him. Question: Are you afraid of heights?

Why?

If I tell you, it’ll ruin the surprise.

I’m not afraid of heights.

Perfect. Should I pick you up around 6 or 7?

6 would be perfect. I’ll drop my location.

Vic

No need.

Right. He knows where I live. I should probably be more concerned about that than I am.

I’m going to pretend like that creeps me out.

Kai

See you soon ;).

A throat clears behind me, and I squeak, pressing my phone to my chest and whirling around to find Jane standing there with a shit-eating grin on her beautiful face.

“What are you doing lurking about like a serial killer?”

“Well, that’s a dumb question, now, isn’t it? I’m here to kill you.”

I roll my eyes. “Very funny.” I squint at her. “How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough to know someone’s being a very bad bunny.”

Oh, fucking hell. When she says it? It’s weird. When the guys say it? Not weird at all. “No one can know,” I tell her.

She pulls a face. “How long have we been friends? Never mind, not very long, but I take my friendships seriously, bunny. I won’t tell anyone.”

“Please don’t call me that,” I beg.

“But it sounds so cute, and your little nose is just like a bunny’s.” When she leans in to boop it, I smack her hand away, which only makes her chuckle. “Details. Now.” She drops onto the filing cabinet that doubles as a stool.

“Well. It started at After Dark.”

“I fucking knew it,” she says with a pleased grin.

“I can’t tell the story if you interrupt.” She mimes zipping her lips and I shake my head. “I met Vic at After Dark.” I conveniently skip over the part about him being my step-uncle. “As for the others, the day we had to give pitches to Good Vibes, I realized they were my scent matches.”

Jane releases a little squeal as she grabs my arm. “Scent matches?” She shakes me like she’s trying to give me whiplash, and I can’t help but laugh and finally let myself bask in the words.

“Fated mates,” I whisper shout.

We both do a little happy dance, which ends in us dissolving into a fit of giggles and Jane tossing her arms around me in a hug.

She sighs. “God, I hate you.”

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