Page 160 of Bride of Choice

Pulling back first, quickly wiping at my eyes, I nodded. “I brought my tablet and it has a full charge. Sounds like fun.”

“Go’?” Booger looked to Gopher, who looked like he wanted to back out but couldn’t find a polite way out of it.

“How’s about we plan this for the typical movie night, and if anyone can go, they go. If not, no big. Like old times.”

Gopher gave a half nod at that. It gave him an easy out. He still didn’t fully trust himself with me. It hurt but I understood it, maybe now more than ever.

“Alright then, well, everyone get the fuck out, I’ve got a meet and greet with the village newb,” I announced, shooing them both out to be on my merry way.

“Missed Jo lots,” Goph rumbled out, the back of his hand brushing my knuckles as we walked and he remained close.

“I missed you heaps and bounds, Goph.” My gaze darted between us and I yanked up my big girl britches. “Friends?”

Gopher looked startled for about all of two seconds before hastily blurting, “Friends.”

A smirk of a smile tilted my lips. “If I make you a friendship bracelet, you think you’d wear it?”

The beast man looked like he might have a sudden bout of allergies come over him as he nodded, throat working, and boldly brushed his fingers along the bracelet on my wrist.

It was better than where we’d been before this. He was trying. I’m a greedy enough bitch, I’ll eat up every scrap he’s willing to throw my way.

“See ya, fellas.” My hand lifted and I waved at them.

Both parties looked reluctant to leave me, each for equally different reasons, but left all the same.

Rek rounded the corner as Gopher and Boog grew smaller and smaller in my field of vision. I waited. I fucking knew better. I’d better by now.

“Look,” I said, before he could start in on me. “You know where I stand on us, and I have no plans on budgin’. You need to ask yourself if this is the hill you’re willing to let us die on.” Leaning in, I boldly ran my fingers through the mat on his chest. “No games. No ultimatums, threats, or whatever shit you’ve got up your sleeve trying to strong arm me with this shit. You want me, you got me, but I’m sold as is. No exceptions. No ‘and then’. You feel me, my furry machismo?” With a little pat-pat to the middle of Rek’s chest, I walked away, leaving his gobsmacked looking puss spluttering and gaping, softly purring, after me.

Dorothy’s advice from not so very long ago came back to me, bolstering me.

I just hoped in my gamble for it all I didn’t end up with a big fat nadda.

Chapter 23

Wondering if I was a dick for doing so, I recreated Boog’s knock, smiling like nothing was amiss when Mal came hightailing it to the door.

“Resident village bitch here, come to visit the new resident witch. Thought you might like some company? A tour of this wild and furry snow show? A bitch buddy perhaps?”

Mal laughed and invited me in, looking happy to see me.

Seated at the table already with Tohkrii, Rosa grinned the second she spied me. “I thought I heard some Classic Joans headed our way.”

With an overdone hair flip, makeup lookin’ fresh, I grinned. “You know it.”

“No,” the little man in her arms chirped.

Wiggling my fingers, I held my arms out. Rosa laughed as she handed him over.

Setting the basket down on the table, I cuddled my lil cousin nephew and blew him air kisses that wouldn’t leave his fur stained from my lipstick.

“Jojojojojojojo,” he happily babbled.

“That’s right, Mr. Man. Who is your favoritest auntie in the whole wide world, huh? Huh?”

“Jojojojojo,” he babbled again as I made silly faces at him and he chortled.

“Goot mama,” Khri complimented, leaning down to talk softly with Mal before landing one hell of a smooch on her and leaving us be to our girl talk.

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