Page 17 of Something So Strong

“I’m not taking no for an answer, Romi. I seriously need this.”

“Why’s that?”

“Cause that blue-haired fuck, Kai, is my shift partner.”

A deep, lamentable exhale leaves Romeo’s weary chest. “Okay. I’ll give you two hours. But not a second longer.”

“Don’t tell me it took you all that time just to do your hair?” I tease Romeo as he begrudgingly steps out into the common room from the lift. “You were already dressed when I left you.”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” he mopes, collapsing back on Alma’s desk. “Where are we going, anyway?”

“Can’t know,” I shrug, scrolling through options on my phone. Romeo echoes the phrase without thinking. Just like we always have and always will whenever we hear it, ever since the day the duo that was Saxon and I became a threesome.

Nudging me with his elbow, Romeo draws my attention towards two girls heading outside. Hair and makeup done, there’s no doubt about their intentions for the evening. With a quick meeting of our gaze, Romeo and I follow them. Plunging his hands into his pockets like hanging out in front of a staff housing building is the coolest place to be, Romeo jerks his chin upwards in a silent greeting.

“Hey, cutie,” the more blatantly extroverted of the pair acknowledges him. Her long, slender legs are bare, which is fucking insane because the black-heeled boots she’s wearing are an inch deep in snow. The pleated skirt she has on is leaving little to the imagination, and a cropped winter coat, and shoulder-length, flaxen-blonde hair accompany the look of mischief on her face. Her accent is local—not Townie local, cause why the hell would she live here—but North American. Yet whether she’s Canadian or from further south, I have no clue. “Saw you on the mountain today.”

“Really?” Romeo sidles up to her. “Did you have a day off as well?”

“Na, babe. We were working.” She bumps her friend with her hip.

You know how people say you’re either sexy or cute? Well, this pair is one of each. Her friend has striking, deep-red hair tied into twin braids with several loose strands obstructing her round, porcelain cheeks. She’s got jeans on too, so at least she has a brain in her head, though her smile is timid when our eyes meet.

“What do you girls do then?” Romeo asks.

“Ski instructors,” the sexy one says proudly.

“Well, well, well. Isn’t this a serendipitous little meeting?” I smirk, stepping forward and slumping my arm around Romeo’s shoulders. “My friend is here to do the same.”

“So you’re the new guy?” the cute ginger asks, stepping forward like she’s squaring him up for a fight. “You had some skills out there today, but I’ll have to take you up the mountain and see firsthand if you’ve got what it takes.”

“Settle, Gretal,” her friend laughs. “Kenny just takes her job very seriously. You’ll be fine.”

“I’m Romeo, by the way,” he interjects, extending a hand towards the cutie.

“Kendall Murphy,” she replies with a slight flick of her head, completely ignoring Romeo’s outstretched hand. Looking at it, he nods and grins before sliding it back into his pocket.

“And I’m Cleo. It’s nice to make your acquaintance, fresh meat,” she emphasizes. “The ladies are gonna love you pair.”

“What are you—”

“And I’m Jesse,” I interrupt Romeo, tired of being left out.

“Where have they got you?” Cleo asks.

“Reception.”

“So you’re Kai’s new plaything?” She grins with a suggestive twinkle in her eye. “He’s gonna have a lot of fun with you.”

His name is like an ache in the balls. I can’t get the fuck away from it. And now all eyes are on me, waiting for a response. My head is swelling with a million questions my stomach wants to ask, but my tongue won’t let me speak.

“Ah, this is our über,” Cleo pipes up, breaking the silence as a mini-SVU pulls up behind her. “Did you guys wanna jump in?”

“Where are you going?” Romeo asks.

“Does it matter?”

“No,” I answer for him, nudging him forward.

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