Page 135 of If You Need Me

He arches a brow.

“I’m a badass,” I say with absolute authority.

“That’s my girl. I love you. Endlessly.” He kisses the end of my nose and cups my face in his palms, slanting his mouth over mine in a sweet kiss. He doesn’t deepen it though, likely because we’re in the office and my door is still partly open.

“You are the definition of the perfect boyfriend,” I say. “And I love you, too.”

“Only took me a decade to earn that title. You ready to go? Shilps and Ash and the rest of them are already there.”

“I’m ready.”

Dallas shoulders my purse while I shut my computer down and pick up my phone. I frown at the new alert.

“What’s wrong?”

“Brooklyn posted in the reunion group and whatever it is, everyone is commenting.”

“Oh yeah. I saw that earlier.” Dallas rubs his bottom lip.

“Is it concerning?” I ask, suddenly nervous.

“For us? No. Brooklyn called her wedding off. I guess she caught Sean cheating and thought the reunion group was the best place to share that.” Dallas tips his head, like he’s gauging my response.

“That’s awful.” She wasn’t a good friend to me, but I still won’t wish her ill will.

“It is. But I don’t know that broadcasting it will make her feel better.” He tips my chin up. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I am. And so thankful that I have you.”

He brushes his lips over mine. “I feel the same way.”

He threads his fingers through mine and we leave the office and walk to the Watering Hole to meet our friends. When we arrive, Hammer, Shilps, Rix, Tally, Essie, and Dred are already at a table with Tristan, Nate, Flip, Hollis, Roman, and Ash.

“You gonna tell us what the deal is with you and Grace now that’s he on our team?” Roman asks.

“Nope.” Flip slurps his Coke.

Dallas shrugs. “Some guys don’t get along with each other.”

“He was a douche back then, and he’s still a douche now. If this is what we’re talking about, I’m going home,” Flip grumbles.

“Tally, how’s university life treating you?” I ask.

“Good.” Her lips pull to the side. “It’s different. I keep getting asked out by the guys on the hockey team, though.” She rolls her eyes. “It’s annoying.”

“Stay away from those guys. They’re a bunch of walking hard-ons,” Flip mutters.

“People who live in glass houses…” Dred counters.

Tally snorts an indelicate laugh. “I’m eighteen, surrounded by eighteen-year-olds. It’s a giant pool of hormones.”

“Facts,” Tristan agrees.

“I’m getting something stronger.” Flip slides out of his chair and heads for the bar.

Rix turns back to Tally. “Make good choices.”

“Oh, I will. I’m not stupid.” Tally rolls her eyes. “I know they want to date my last name, not me.”

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