Page 31 of Protecting Talia

Neither Remi nor Wren asked about her fading bruises. She was surprised that all the women were so nice and open. She’d never experienced much female bonding, so them talking to her and including her in their conversations seemed like prime bonding to her. They were all talking about a sale on shorts they’d found out about the day before.

“Talia, do you like to shop?” Caroline asked.

She shrugged. “I don’t have much time, and I clean offices after hours for a living, so I don’t really have time to wear anything cute.”

Remi snorted. “When I’m working, I just wear whatever I have on, which is usually a t-shirt and sweats.”

Wren chuckled. “If the clothes are priced well, I like them better.”

Caroline nodded. “I do love a bargain.”

“Oh no, more bargains,” Safe said as he pulled Wren up and kissed the side of her cheek. “Tell me where, and I’ll go buy it for you.”

Talia liked how the guys were teasing and having fun with their women, but the teasing wasn’t mean. They got along, which impressed her. She wondered if it would ever be as easy with her and Zip.

Later, after they’d eaten, she stepped out of the bathroom and ran right into Zip. She might have let out a small yelp, but it was overshadowed by Zip’s grunt. She narrowed her gaze, taking him in. “You’re more injured than you told me.” He opened his mouth, but she held up one finger and shook her head. “Do not lie to me.”

“I’m fine, or I will be. I’m taking it easy for a few days.”

“What happened?”

He shrugged and her frown deepened. He let go a heavy breath and shook his head. “We were doing an exercise and a piece of equipment broke. I fell and hit my side on the building.”

“What the hell? Something broke?”

“Yeah. And it wasn’t because someone did something wrong. It really was something that broke and no one was prepared for it. I’ll be fine.”

“Let me see.”

He shook his head. “Not right now. When we get home.”

She couldn’t force him. He was much stronger, and they were at his friend’s place. Later, she would make him show her the injury.

After another twenty or thirty minutes, they said goodbye and headed out. She was ready to find out exactly how injured he was.

Once back at his place, she stood in the entryway and put her hands on her hips. “How bad is that injury?”

“Really, it’s not that big of a deal.”

“Let me look.”

He rolled his eyes and then pulled up his shirt, exposing a bruise. She moved to him and put her hand on his side. He winced, and she pulled back.

“That is significant. Why didn’t you tell me? You’ve been doing so much for me, and I could have?—”

“I’m fine.”

She shook her head. “You should have let me help.”

“I didn’t want to bother you.”

She pursed her lips together. “It wouldn’t have been a bother.”

He cupped her face. “I’m sorry. I should have said more about it, but I really didn’t want you to worry.”

“Why not? You’re worried about me.”

He opened his mouth and then closed it. “I guess no one has ever really been worried about me before. I mean, the guys, sure, but they all know I can handle myself. I was able to catch myself when the equipment failed.”

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