Page 33 of Embracing Easy

I take the glass and sniff it cautiously. “What is it?” The last thing I want to do is get shitfaced and make a complete fool out of myself when I’ve only just met these women.

“Just bourbon,” Oakland assures me with a wink. “The moonshine comes later.”

“Much later,” Kierra adds, settling into the armchair next to me. Her dark eyes study me with interest. “So, how are you handling all of this?” She waves her hand around. “Club life isn't exactly what most women think of when they're dreaming about their fairytale.”

I take a small sip of the bourbon, letting the warmth spread through my belly. “It's... different. But Easy makes it… well easy,” I answer her, proud of myself for remembering to use his roadname.

“They all do, at first,” Sierra says, and several of the women laugh. “Wait until the first time he comes home bleeding and won't tell you why.”

My stomach drops. “Does that happen often?”

“Often enough,” Harley chimes in. I guess as a nurse, she probably sees more than most. “But that's why we have each other. The men handle their business, and we handle ours.”

G squeezes my hand. “What she means is, you're not alone in this. Being an old lady means you're part of the sisterhood.”

“Speaking of sisterhood,” Oakland leans forward, her eyes lit up, “let's talk about that property patch. Has Easy given it to you yet?”

Heat floods my cheeks. “Not yet. We just... I mean, it's only been a week.”

“A few days?” Kierra's eyebrows shoot up. “Should have known he’s just as much of a caveman as the rest of these Neanderthals. Girl, with the way that man is watching you, I would have thought you two have been together longer.”

“It does feel longer,” I admit, taking another sip of bourbon. “It’s crazy, right? How fast all of this is happening?”

“What? No. With these guys,” Harley starts, placing her hand on my knee, “they move fast when they find their woman. It’s a good thing not to have to play games. Ya know?”

I guess she’s right.

“That's how it goes sometimes,” Sierra adds softly. “Sparrow and I, we didn't even like each other at first, and then all of a sudden, it was like we were this united team. When it's right, it's right.”

“And is it?” Kierra asks, cutting right to the chase. “Right?”

I think about Shawn's arms around me, his whispered 'I love you' in the shower, the way he makes me feel safe even when my world feels like it’s spinning out of control.

“Yeah,” I admit, surprising myself with how true it is. “It's right.”

The old ladies exchange knowing looks, and suddenly I feel like I've passed some kind of initiation.

“Well then,” G raises her glass, “welcome to the family, sister.”

As we clink glasses, I catch movement from across the room. Shawn's watching me, a smile playing at his lips as he talks with Knox and Sparrow. Even from here, I can feel the heat in his gaze.

“Oh, honey,” Oakland laughs, following my line of sight. “You've both got it bad.”

Eyes still locked on Shawn, my lips turn up. “Is it that obvious?”

“Only to everyone with eyes,” Kierra teases.

As if to prove her point, he excuses himself from his conversation and starts making his way toward us.

My heart does a somersault in my chest.

“Ladies,” he says as he approaches, “mind if I steal my woman for a minute?”

“Depends,” G says, crossing her arms. “What for?”

His eyes never leave mine. “Time to make it official.”

The old ladies’ excited whispers follow us as he takes my hand and pulls me to my feet. As he leads me toward the center of the room, the music fades, and I realize everyone is watching us.

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