Page 102 of Pulse

As embarrassed as she was being put on the spot, Talia couldn’t help but chuckle. “You guys are crazy.”

“Guilty as charged, counselor.” Jo grabbed a slice of bacon from an enormous platter and bit into it with a satisfying crunch. “Ow!” she said, mouth full, as Brooke slapped her hand away.

“What the hell?”

“It’s not time to eat.”

Their little scene only diverted attention from Talia for about twenty seconds. Everyone’s eyes were back on her way too quickly. “Uh… well, it’s serious.”

Harper squealed and clapped her hands. “That makes me so happy. How serious?”

Ugh, really? Were they going to make her give details? “He told me he loved me last night and asked me to be his ol’ lady,” she mumbled.

For one second, the kitchen fell utterly silent but for the sound of the percolator brewing coffee. Then it erupted in a loud chorus of cheers and shrieks followed by a swarm of ol’ ladies piling on her in a group hug.

“Yay!” Harper squealed. “I’m so happy.” She was the closest, so she squeezed Talia while the others joined in.

The door opened, and Jinx stuck his head in. “Everything okay? Dayum, what do we have here? A little girl-on-girl action?” He straightened and folded his arms as he leaned against the doorjamb. “Don’t let me interrupt. Please proceed.”

“Get out of here, you big oaf,” Jo yelled as she hurled a biscuit at Jinx.

“Hey! Don’t waste a perfectly good biscuit. I made that,” Kelsie cried.

“It won’t go to waste.” Jinx swiped the biscuit out of the air and took a monster-size bite. “Mm… good job, Kels. Very buttery. Flakey too.”

“Get out!” they all shouted, making Jinx jump like he’d been electrocuted.

“Jesus, y’all are scary mean,” he muttered with half of a biscuit in his mouth before he fled.

“Did you say it back?” Brenna asked as the hug broke apart.

“I did.” Talia’s cheeks went hot, feeling like an inferno.

“Eeep! Liv really is going to be pissed she missed this,” Harper said with a gleeful grin. “Not gonna lie, I’m kinda excited.”

“Welcome to our wild family.” Brooke gave her another hug. “You’re perfect for each other,” she whispered.

“Thank you.” Her throat thickened.

I will not cry.

She’d embarrassed herself enough in front of these people to last a lifetime. Bursting out in tears because they liked her would be too much mortification to bear. Once she collected herself, she helped carry the food to the tables in the main clubhouse area. Pulse wandered over as she set the pitchers of peach mimosas on the table.

“How are you holding up?” he asked, drawing her into his arms.

She inhaled. The scent of his bodywash had quickly become her favorite smell. It reminded her of the delightful shower they’d taken together just a few hours ago.

“I’m good,” she said as she hugged him close. “Really good.”

“The ladies didn’t force you to cook?”

She laughed. “No. I was on strawberry slicing and drink making. And I think I nailed both tasks.”

He grinned and kissed her.

“Aw, look at the love birds.” Jinx made kissy faces at them across the room, earning him a double middle finger from Pulse.

Talia couldn’t describe how great seeing Pulse comfortable and relaxed with his brothers felt. Gone was the tension that had lingered for a day or two after he’d confessed his past. Of course, Spec was noticeably absent, which could be the reason.

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