Page 22 of Fallen Ink

Her muscles tightened at the thought of him, and she cursed her inner hussy. He was just as much of a harlot since he was constantly making her come, but again, she wasn’t going to think about that…no matter how much she wanted to.

“So, big sister,” Thea began, her voice far too casual. “You seem far too relaxed these days for opening a new business. Who’s the guy?”

“Yes, you do look too well lubed,” Roxie put in, a grin on her face.

“Trust you to make the mechanic joke,” Adrienne said dryly. And she couldn’t lie to her sisters, not well enough, so she told them part of the truth—the only part she could. “And, well…I have been sleeping with a guy. But no one you know. It’s not that important. Just relieving some tension.”

The others didn’t ask her any other questions, but their gazes held far too many for her liking. Shea gave her a look, and Adrienne stiffened. As soon as the words had left her mouth, she’d known they were a mistake and far too hurtful, but she hadn’t known how to make sure the others knew it wasn’t serious. If Mace ever found out…

She stopped that line of thinking and went back to painting. The others followed suit, and she hoped none of them noticed that her hand was shaking, just a tiny bit.

* * *

“So, how’s the shop going?” Shea asked a bit later as they all left and headed to their cars. “I know Shep’s been stressing out over whoever is trying to hurt MIT, but how do you think it’s going?”

Adrienne tightened her scarf as she leaned against Shea’s car. The others had already left the parking lot, leaving the two of them to talk in private. She wasn’t sure any of them had meant for it to happen, but it was fine with her.

“Financially, the shop is doing great, as you know. We’re getting in new clients daily, and we already have waiting lists for the major work coming in. But as for who wants to take us down? Other than that mystery man at the beginning, I have no clue. No matter who we ask around the building, no one knows who it could have been. That seems weird to me. To all of us.”

Shea nodded. “I know. And I’m not from here, so it’s not like I have any idea who could have ties to the area that would want your shop out of the way. I just hope all of you are safe, you know? I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

Adrienne reached out and squeezed Shea’s arm. “We’re being careful. So careful that the boys have gone all caveman and don’t let anyone walk to their cars at night alone. Even Thea and Abby if they can find a way to stop it.”

“It helps that you and Mace are sleeping together, too. He’s able to watch you more often.”

“Well, yeah, but I don’t really think that has anything to do with it.” Adrienne shut her mouth quickly, her face heating as Shea looked like a cat in cream.

The other woman bounced from foot to foot and pointed. “I knew it. I knew it!” She danced around, wiggling her hips, and Adrienne felt all the blood leech from her face.

“How…you tricked me!” She growled at the other woman, but Shea just continued to do her insane hip-wiggle dance.

“Yes, I did. And I’m proud of it. I’m learning to be a Montgomery day by day.” She stopped her dance—thankfully—and reached out to grip both of Adrienne’s arms. “First, I’m happy for you. Second, I was only guessing because I got a vibe from you both last time I was in. Third, Shep has no clue. Fourth, I won’t tell him because there’s a code. However, a caveat to that is if he asks me directly for some unknown reason, I will have to tell him because I don’t lie to my husband.”

Adrienne let out a shuddering breath. “Just…just make sure he has no reason to ask you.”

Shea moved forward and hugged her hard. “I’ll do my best. I’m happy for you.” She whispered the last part, and for some reason, tears stung the back of Adrienne’s eyes.

“It’s…it’s nothing. It has to be nothing. Okay?”

Shea nodded, before frowning. “I get it. But, Adrienne? Don’t call Mace unimportant again. I think you’re doing both of you a disservice if you do that.”

Adrienne didn’t say anything as she watched the other woman get in her car and drive away, leaving Adrienne to stand there like a lying idiot who couldn’t even come up with a good fib that didn’t hurt anyone.

She got into her own car and looked down at her phone as it buzzed.

Mace: You get home okay?

She refused to feel warmth at his caring.

Adrienne: I’m still in the parking lot. Wanted to talk to Shae a bit.

She turned on her car before calling him on her Bluetooth. Her car might be old, but it still had at least that much since the tech wasn’t that new.

“Sorry for calling, I just wanted to start home and didn’t want to text and drive.”

His deep grumble of a voice came through her speakers, and she was very afraid that she’d made a mistake in listening to him like this. Talk about a distraction.

“I’m glad you’re not texting and driving. You have fun with the girls?”

---