Page 23 of Sturdy & Dirty

That smile.

The one that caught my attention all those weeks ago.

Fuck, I loved that smile.

I loved her.

“What did we just do?” she whispered.

“I think we finally found each other.”

She nuzzled her cheek against my arm.

“I think we did.”

Rolling onto my side, I brought her with me, loving the way she felt draped across my chest, her lean delicate body against my softer sturdy one.

“I wanted to take my time with you,” I muttered. “But you’re a naughty little thing, aren’t you?”

Her giggle went straight to my heart when she followed it with, “We have all the time in the world. We have our whole lives.”

“Yes, we do, pretty girl. Bet on it.”

Epilogue

Holly

Two months later…

The hostess at Mario’s guided me to a familiar curtained booth where I was supposed to meet Austin. It was our two month anniversary and we’d just had the ribbon cutting ceremony for Bloom Babes Salon & Shavery, so there was much to celebrate.

Our reservation was for 6 o’clock, but I was running late because my afternoon Cut & Color appointment ran overtime. I knew he’d understand, but I was still bummed to be messing up our plans.

Especially since we’d seen too little of each other this week.

He’d taken another job with Konner, but unfortunately, it was in the next town over. Which meant more travel, less alone time.

I just wanted to curl next to him and hold on like a barnacle so he’d have to take me everywhere with him.

When we reached the booth and the hostess pulled back the curtain… there was no sign of Austin.

But there were piles of multicolored roses. Just like the night of our first date.

I couldn’t help the grin on my face.

If he kept feeding my flower addiction, he was going to make Ruby a rich woman.

“A message for you, ma’am,” the hostess said, passing me a folded piece of paper before leaving me to seat myself.

Unfolding it, I recognized Austin’s messy scrawl. Pretty roses, for my pretty girl, it said. I’ll be there soon. P.S. Check your phone.

Hmm, apparently I wasn’t the only on running late.

Digging in my handbag, I retrieved my phone to find he’d texted.

Quickly, I opened it, grinning at his message. Want to play a game?

Sure. Rules? I replied.

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