Page 6 of Yours to Conquer

I break out into laughter that stops me in my tracks. I forceAnthony to stop when I do. “They aren’t staring at me; they wish they were you.”

“Exactly, because they know when we go home tonight, it will be me between your legs. I see them all looking at you like they want to devour you. Let’s go,” he says as he tugs me in his direction again.

“You’re crazy. There isn’t a man in this room that wants me. I was thinking that every woman in this room is mentally stripping you naked.” We finally make it to the back of the restaurant.

Anthony stops before we enter. “I belong to you, babe. And you belong to me. You understand that, right?” He presses his lips to mine in a punishing kiss that leaves me breathless as he opens the door.

Sitting around the round table, I see my friends as I enter the room. I’m still winded by the kiss Anthony gave me and shocked by what he said. That’s twice in a week he’s claimed me as his own. I think I like that he wants to claim me, but there’s also this little alarm going off in my head, telling me to run.

“Well… look who showed up,” Kat says. She looks magnificent, and I rush over to her and give her a big hug. I hadn’t seen her since the party a week ago.

“You look so pretty.” I kiss Kat’s cheek, then whisper in her ear, “You look happy. I’m glad you finally came up for air. I’ve missed you.” I pull away and smile at her.

“I’m sorry I missed going to the cemetery with you this year.” She wraps her arms around me in a big comforting hug. “I’m sorry we bailed on everyone. I had no idea what was happening, as you know. When he carried me out of the house, we went straight to the airport. We spent the week in Hawaii. We just got back last night.”

I smile warmly at my friend. She has been going to the cemetery with me every year since my mom passed away. “It’s okay. I went on my own. Anthony wanted to take me, but I wanted to spend some time alone with my thoughts. It worked out.”

As Kat reaches up to touch my face, I see a flash oflight as her left hand passes by me. “Oh, my God! Is that a ring on your finger?” I squeal. “Why didn’t you call me? Best friends are supposed to share shit like this.” I grab her hand and look at the biggest diamond I’ve ever seen.

“It just happened today. Isn’t it beautiful?” Kat asks as she holds her hand out for me to see. Her left arm is still in the cast from her car accident, but it doesn’t take away from the beauty of her ring. Everyone is now on their feet, surrounding her, everyone but Damon and Anthony; they are standing back, watching us all gush over the news. Damon has the biggest grin on his face.

“Congratulations, guys,” I say. “You better treat her right, Damon, or I will hunt you down and hurt you,” I threaten playfully.

He walks up to me and kisses me on the cheek. “Emma, I’ll love and treasure her for the rest of my life. If I ever hurt her again, I will deliver myself directly to you. You won’t even have to hunt me down,” Damon says before he grabs his fiancée and takes a seat at the table.

Anthony is sitting to my left, and Kat to my right. Across from me are Chris and Trevor, who are looking quite happy together. “Hey Chris, how are things at the bank?” I ask.

“Good. I have this new client that comes every day at noon to make a deposit.” He looks up at Trevor with a glimmer in his eyes. “He’s my favorite.” His directness used to shock me when I was a kid.

I spent my teenage years with Kat and her family. They are direct––beyond direct. Their entire family lacks filters. You’re forced to engage with them, or you get left behind. Living with the Cross family was probably my saving grace. They were a real family. In time, they became my family. Chris is Kat’s brother, and Trevor is his partner. Trevor fits right in with the group.

Trevor does something to Chris under the table because suddenly, Chris lets out a yelp. Everyone at the table looks at him and laughs.

“Okay, apparently I’m going to have to find a new roommate, so I’m counting on you guys to send me the perfect replacement for Kat.”

“You’re going to replace me?” Kat asks. Her lips purse into the perfect-looking pout.

“Well, it’s not like you’re going to move back in. You live in a mansion in the hills with your hunky fiancé,” I tease. “You know I can never replace you; you’re my sister from another mister.” I stick my tongue out at her. “So, when is the big day? I’m your maid of honor, right? I can’t see Chris or Trevor looking good in a bridesmaid gown.”

“I’ll have you know, I look lovely in satin,” Trevor says.

Kat looks at both of us before she speaks. “No date yet, and only girls with vaginas can wear dresses at my wedding.”

We talk for a few minutes to catch up. The server takes our order and pours us all a glass of red wine. It’s nice to be together. I love all these people. Trevor is a recent addition, but the way he looks at Chris makes me happy. Chris is like my flesh and blood, and it’s important to me he has someone who loves and values him. We’ve paired up quite nicely. Looking around at the people surrounding me, I know there is nowhere I’d rather be. I stand up to make a toast.

“To all of us who love, may we love deeply.” Everyone clinks their glasses together and shouts out loud, “Hear, hear.”

We spend the next hour chatting, eating, and drinking wine. Anthony orders some type of flaming dessert to celebrate Kat and Damon’s engagement. The conversation goes back to my need for a new housemate.

“Em, I know a girl you might want to talk to,” Trevor says. I watch as he whispers into Chris’s ear. Both of them nod their heads. “There’s this girl that works as a bartender at Trax,” Trevor begins. “We kind of adopted her. She makes good money, has a great personality, and we like her. She was saying last week that she wantsto find someplace to live that’s closer to work. She could be a good fit.” Trevor seems pleased to contribute a solution to my dilemma.

“Okay, give her my number.” I feel Anthony place his hand on my thigh and give it a gentle squeeze.

“If Emma would just move in with me, she wouldn’t need to find a new roommate.” I swing around to look at him. “Don’t give me that look,” he says. “These are our friends, and I need them to help put the pressure on you so I can get my way.”

I examine everyone at the table and notice that they are staring at me, waiting for a response. “Anthony asked me to move in with him today. I’m considering his offer since I pretty much live with him, anyway.” I pucker my lips and touch them to Anthony’s quickly before continuing. “I’m not ready to let go of my house, though, so regardless of my decision, I will need a renter.”

“What happened to us, man?” Damon looks at Anthony as he asks the question. “A few months ago, we were confirmed bachelors.” He reaches over and picks up Kat’s hand. “This one stole my heart, and it looks like you’re in just as bad a shape as I am.”

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