Page 92 of Sass

Rhys’s expression softened and he rested his hands on my shoulders. “I’ve made worse mistakes.”

“But you’re allowed to,” I protested. “It’syourbusiness.”

“Yes, it is. And as the owner of this business, I’m saying, it’s fine. Am I pissed off? Yes. But not at you.Without your smart thinking in tracking down an alternative supplier, we wouldn’t have had a chance to rectify the problemat all.And now you’ve solved another.You.Not me.” A deep frown creased his brow. “I thought we were past all this?”

I grimaced. “Sorry. We are. Kind of. I’m just a bit out of sorts. Go back next door.”

But instead of leaving, Rhys perched on the corner of the desk and eyeballed me. “Okay, out with it. What cactus has made a home in your arse?”

I snorted. “It’s nothing. Really.”Apart from confronting my arsehole uncle sometime in the next three hours, of course.

“Riiiight. And since we’re on the subject of yourboyfriend...”

“I hadn’t noticed we were,” I said tartly.

“Well, we are now,” he countered silkily. “And can I point out how restrained I’ve been, not giving you shit about you and Leon practically living in each other’s pockets the last two weeks?”

“Oh god,” I grumbled. “You’ve been talking to Drew.”

Rhys arched a brow. “Actually, no, I haven’t. I admit I might’ve tried to bribe him with some cronuts for a few deets, but he refused. That kid’s loyal as shit to you, Kip. Something you should remember.”

I checked through the glass to where Drew was serving a customer and swallowed around the lump in my throat. Rhys was right, again, and I should’ve known better. But I wasn’t used to people having my back.

Rhys sighed. “Is something up between you and Leon? If he’s hurt—”

“It’s not Leon,” I huffed, my eyes still on Drew.

“Good. Then don’t fuck things up. He’s totally nuts for you, you realise that?”

My gaze shot back. “I refuse to answer that. And why would it be me fucking things up? Why not him?”

Rhys grinned but said nothing, the smug bastard.

I waved a dismissive hand. “Whatever.”

“Kip, listen to me.” Rhys leaned forward. “Iknowit’s not him, because that man is so fucking smitten with you he has hearts practically floating around his head. His eyes light up like fireworks whenever you’re around. Andyouhave all these soft edges when you’re with him as well, something the rest of us hardly ever get to see. Anyone who can do that to you, honey, is a walking fucking miracle, and I’d be really careful about letting him walk away. You like him a lot even though you’re trying damn hard not to.”

As much as I wanted, I couldn’t unhear the blunt truth in Rhys’s words. “I know,” I groaned. “I know, okay? And I know I’m fucking things up. I’m so damn scared I’ll lose him, Rhys, and at the same time I’m terrified he’ll stay. I don’t want to hurt him, but I really don’t know how to be anything more to someone than a quick, albeit fantastic fuck.”

Rhys snorted. “But you’re already being more for Leon, and you’re not even having to try. Are you guys exclusive?”

I drew a wobbly breath. “Yes. Don’t laugh.”

“Not even a smile. And do you miss hooking up?”

I didn’t even have to think, I just shook my head.

He gave a serious nod. “Then I’d say you have your answer.”

“It’s not that easy,” I grumbled. “He’s got this vision of a future that includes the two of us tucked up all nice and cosy and domestic on the deck of his new house, drinking beer, playing his guitar, and with a kid or ten in the picture.”

“Aha.” Rhys slid off the desk and settled himself in a chair. “And he’s said that’s non-negotiable, has he?”

“Not in those actual words.” I squirmed. “He said he wantsmeand that we can talk about the family thing.”

“How very unreasonable of him.” Rhys swallowed a smile and I flipped him off. “But I take it the idea scares the shit out of you?”

I laughed. “Ya think? The only thing domestic about me is my addiction toReal Housewives of Beverly Hills, which also counts as several points against me as far as parental suitability is concerned.”

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