Page 207 of Dark Love

“Life doesn’t always give us a choice.”

It should. No one should ever have to grow up like Vex did. “I don’t want to call you Vex anymore.”

“Then don’t call me Vex.”

As simple as that, he gives me what I want, even if it means changing who he is. “But I don’t know what to call you?”

We sit silently staring at each other like a name is just going to miraculously appear if we think hard enough.

“The first words you said to me were ‘Hello, Darling.’ I felt that darling down to my soul. It shook me.”

“It did?”

He nods.

“I could call you that. In private.”

“That works for me, if it works for you.”

“So, every morning I’m going to wake up and say hello, Darling, then kiss you.” That sounds too perfect.

“No. New rule. No kissing in bed.”

What? “You said I could kiss you any time I wanted to.”

“Not in bed.”

“Why not?”

“Because we’ll be getting an unexpected visit from your mother. Where she tells you how disappointed she is in you.”

Why would she… Oh. OH! “No kissing in bed. But I’m still going to say good morning, Darling.”

“Looking forward to it.”

“And if I can’t kiss you then, I better kiss you now.” I shift up onto my knees and kiss him.

Today is officially the best day ever.

Not One Of The Girls

Dahlia

“I can’t believe they upgraded us from a suite to a penthouse suite when the convention switched hotels.” Sheridan spins around in the room after the butler walks out.

“I’ve never been in a place this fancy.” Juniper gapes. “And I’ve never been so happy for leaky pipes. We should do the authors’ convention here every year.”

Like we could afford this. The convention runs on the cheaper side to allow more people to attend. Nothing about this hotel says cheap. The original hotel’s insurance company has got to be paying big bucks to move all of us here.

“Do you think Dylan, Garnet, and Piper’s room is just as nice?” Sheridan opens the mini fridge behind the bar. “Because we have cold pressed organic juice in here and nuts.”

“Probably. They’re on the same floor as us.”

“Why don’t we all settle into our rooms? Then we can get together for a huddle and decide what to do.” Juniper grabs her bag and heads towards one of the three massive bedrooms.

We always share a suite not just for safety, but because Juniper and Sheridan can barely afford the trip.

“Sure.” I could use a few minutes of quiet before the nonstop fun of the convention starts.

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