Page 405 of Lodestar

Conor pressed his chin to the top of my head and held me. Just held me. No words were needed.

Amid the music from the party, three different types depending on where you were standing, the clatter around several tables holding various potluck dishes, and the chatter and laughter from over a hundred people, I eventuallywhispered, “If this had happened last year, I’d never have allowed myself to attend.”

“What do you mean?”

“Too much to do. Too many things to juggle. It’s been a long time since I’ve done something…” I chuckled as I selected the word. “…frivolous.”

“Dubrovnik wasn’t frivolous?”

“The pizza and the ice cream, sure, but the shooting in between, not so much.” Now, Muñoz being a fucking Sparrow made our first date night evenmorememorable.

“What about the soccer game?”

“Again, partly frivolous.” I hid a smile. “I like partly frivolous. But this is totally frivolous.”

“All work and no play makes Star a dull girl.”

“We already established you’re the dull one, Con.”

He snickered as he pressed his lips to my forehead. Together, we stared out onto the living room where the Sinners were congregated, some eating, others drinking, most of them talking and if not talking, then arguing.

“I-I think,” I whispered, “these guys might have been my family and I didn’t realize it.”

“What gave it away?” he whispered back.

“They missed me.”

“Of course they did.”

“No, I didn’t think they would.” I released a breath. “I didn’t even think Savannah would.”

“You were wrong about that too, weren’t you?”

“I was and I’m glad I was wrong. But don’t tell Kat that.”

His chuckle came from the heart. “I won’t share your dirty secrets with anyone.”

“Enough of the filthy secrets and the filthy lies, hmm?”

“Only the filthy truth for us,” he agreed with a gentle squeeze of his arms.

“Do you want to do something crazy?”

“Something crazier than a house party on a Wednesday?”

“They’re an MC. They don’t work regular schedules.”

“Apparently.”

“Don’t be a product of a capitalist society, Conor.” I tutted.

“God forbid,” he mocked. “Okay, something crazy. Hit me with it.”

“Have you met Indy?”

“Yeah.” He quieted. “Ah. You want to get inked?”

I swallowed. “I’m wearing your brand.”

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