Page 52 of Dark Cravings

“So, I’m sure you know by now that I talked to Kenley.”

“I do. She wouldn’t tell me anything though. She just said you wanted to talk to me.”

“I asked her to wait, yes. I didn’t want to make you wait anymore though. I figured you were probably going a little mad by this point.”

“You’re right about that. I’m glad you’re here, Shelby. I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you at my house again. Have you made a decision?”

“I have. Thomas, when you bailed before, you hurt me deeply. I lost you and then I lost Kenley and it shattered me.”

“I’m so sorry, I?—”

“Let me finish, please. You don’t need to apologize again.”

“Sorry.”

“That’s okay. Anyway, I didn’t think I would ever trust you again, not even as a friend.”

My heart sank and I was pretty sure I knew what was coming. I held my breath and waited for her to finish.

“Thomas, Kenley seems to think you’re telling the truth with all that you’ve said. She’s right, isn’t she?”

“She is, Shelby. I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life as I am about this.”

“I want to try again. I’ve missed you both and I want this.”

“Wait, what? Say that again?”

“I want to try this again,” she laughed. “I’m in.”

I picked her up and spun her around, holding her tight. I managed only a few seconds before my mouth crashed against hers, kissing her passionately. I wanted her so badly but Kenley would have my balls if I didn’t wait for her.

“I’m so glad you’re back, sweetheart. Come for dinner tomorrow night. I’ll ask Kenley over too.”

“That sounds nice. I’m kind of exhausted now, though, so I’m going to head out. Don’t break my heart, Thomas,” she said quietly.

“I won’t. Your heart is too special. I will protect it, always.”

I leaned forward and dropped a kiss at the corner of her mouth. She walked to her car, got in, and drove away with a wave. These girls were worth everything to me. They were so worth holding onto and I planned to do just that. Everything would work out exactly as it was meant to.

The next day, I pulled out my crockpot and went to work chopping up veggies. I little while later I had a roast in with carrots, potatoes, and onions. I wasn’t a fantastic cook but even I couldn’t screw up a crockpot meal. The day dragged on as I waited for dinnertime to roll around. The doorbell finally rang around six and I opened the door to find them both at my door, smiles on their faces.

“Come on in, dinner is about ready,” I said, kissing each of them as they came into the house.

“Are we late?” Kenley asked.

“Nope, your timing is perfect. Go ahead and sit at the table while I finish up.

“How are you, Thomas?” Shelby asked, sliding into a chair at the kitchen table.

“I’m good. Glad you’re both here.”

I sliced the roast, happy to find it tender and served that and the veggies up. I grabbed the dinner rolls from the oven, tipped them into a basket, and started taking things to the table. Kenley had sat across from Shelby, leaving the head of the table for me.

“Please, eat.”

They each tucked into their plates and I chuckled when they moaned with the first mouthful of roast beef.

“Fuck, this is amazing,” Shelby said, shovelling another mouthful in.

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