Page 55 of Impending Consent

We sat in silence with the admission hanging between us, creating a new kind of intimacy. Then, to my surprise, he reached out and gently touched Hippo's worn ear.

"I won't tell anyone. Your secret's safe with me."

The understanding and lack of judgment in his eyes broke something open inside me and before I could overthink the decision I leaned toward Rival and kissed him.

He froze for a split second, then kissed me back. His hand lifted and gripped the back of my neck. The kiss was gentle at first but deepened when I moved closer until Hippo was squished between us.

When we finally broke apart, breathing heavily, Rival rested his forehead against mine. "What was that for?"

"For understanding," I whispered. "For not making me feel like I'm broken."

"You're not broken, Sail. You're human, like the rest of us."

I pulled back and studied his face. "I’m still a fucking badass.”

Rival laughed, shaking his head. “Yeah, you are.”

My tone softened. “I never bring her out when I'm with someone. I've always been afraid they would think I was a lunatic."

"If anyone thinks you’re a lunatic for doing whatever you need to survive this crazy ass world, they don’t deserve to know you.”

The weight of his words settled over me, forcing me to confront an uncomfortable truth. I had never let anyone truly know me, not completely. I kept parts of myself hidden, compartmentalized and safe from judgment or rejection. Even my siblings.

But here was this infuriating, persistent man who had bulldozed his way into my life, looking at one of my deepest vulnerabilities with nothing but acceptance. I felt safe with him.

"I don't know how to do this," I admitted, gesturing between us.

"Do what?"

"This. Being open. Letting someone see all the parts of me."

"You don't have to figure it all out at once.” He lifted a hand and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "We have time."

"A year," I reminded him.

"Maybe more. If you decide you want that."

The possibility hung between us and neither of us confirmed or denied it. It was too soon for promises but I allowed myself to consider that this unexpected marriage might lead somewhere I wouldn’t mind being.

Thunder rumbled outside and the storm finally broke. Rival stood and glanced around my room. "I should let you get settled. Dinner in thirty?"

I nodded, not trusting my voice. When he was gone and closed the door behind himself, I looked down at my old friend.

"What do you think, Hippo? Am I in trouble here?"

The stuffed animal, of course, didn't answer. But as I placed her on my pillow, I knew something significant had shifted between me and the hubby which couldn’t be undone and I really didn’t mind that so much.

Chapter 14

Rival

I'd been in my shop since dawn working on the commissioned dining table for a client in Buckhead. The work kept my hands busy, giving me a needed distraction from dinner with Sailor's family tonight. I did my best to focus on the steady rhythm of sandpaper against wood and the repetitive motion until my phone vibrated on the workbench, breaking my concentration. I glanced at the screen, noticing it was a potential client I was hoping to lock down a job with, which had me pausing to answer.

"Rival Hassan.” I wedged the phone between my ear and shoulder and went back to sanding.

"Mr. Hassan, it's Morris Reynolds. Hope I'm not catching you at a bad time."

"Nah, you’re good. How can I help you?"

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