Page 583 of Dark Love

Dahlia

I don’t think I’ve spent this long smiling at my reflection in… ever. It’s more than the fact that I’m going to watch OLIVER SCHOOLERS play baseball in his private box, though that certainly helps. The image in front of me isn’t distorted by my past. There’s a woman with a body just like every other woman in the world.

“Dahl, are you ready? We need to leave for the game soon.” Vex shouts up the stairs.

Time to just go live. Hat and foam finger in hand, I race down the stairs. “Sorry. I’m ready.”

“Everything okay? The car can wait as long as you need.” He takes a step forward.

Is everything okay? “No. Everything isn’t okay. Everything is wonderful. I’m going to watch my favorite team play with the man I love beside me.”

He reaches out and pulls me into his arms.

Those wondrous lips of his head towards mine. “New rule.”

“Oh?” His lips tip up.

“No kisses when we’re late for a Dragon’s Game.” I put my hand on his chest and push him away.

“I don’t like that rule.”

Me either. “There’s no rule about kissing in the car.”

“Do we have time for one of my guys to bring the limo over?” Vex leans down, gives me a peck on the lips, and lets me go.

“Nope, we’re late.” I turn to grab my purse.

“WHAT IS THAT?”

Vex never flips out. “Where? What? Is it a rat?” I spin around ready to jump on the nearest piece of furniture or him if need be.

“What are you wearing?”

Huh? “Is there something wrong with my outfit?” There can’t be I checked a dozen times. “Is it see-through?” The base of the shirt is white, but it seems thick enough not to show anything.

“Take it off.”

Huh? What in the world is he talking about? Spiders? “There’s a bug on me?”

“Dahl, pay attention.”

He didn’t just say that! “I am, but you’re making no sense.”

“There’s a man’s name on your body. And it isn’t mine.”

A man’s name—Oliver. Vex means Oliver. “It’s a jersey.”

“There’s a man’s name that’s not mine on your body.”

A jersey. He can’t be jealous of a jersey. “It’s just a—”

“Another man’s name.”

“But—”

“Take off the shirt.”

“But—”

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