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Hell, if his cock was all he had to offer her, then it was hers. He’d deal with the fallout afterward. Besides, in those books she loved to read, isn’t that how some epic love affairs started?

Yes, but this isn’t fiction, dumbass, it’s reality.

He failed to notice Zee’s car until he was almost at the door. Even with the thoughts plaguing him all day long, he wasn’t prepared to do this here at the Malone’s house. He was ready to admit he was wrong and grovel, just not there. But he’d have to do something. Ignoring her all night until they were alone wasn’t the way to handle things.

“Fuck.” The muttered curse accompanied the door opening. Mrs. Malone was a freaking blood hound. She would know something was up in under ten seconds. That is if she hadn’t already grilled Zee.

“Language, Winslow,” she scolded as she reached for the bottle of wine and flowers he’d brought.

“Yes, ma’am, but please, Barney.”

“Sorry, dear. I love your name, but I’ll try to comply.”

She led him into the dining area where they were just being seated and indicated the chair next to a shocked Zee. Barney expected the entire Malone clan, but nope. It was just the matriarch, patriarch. . .and Zee.

The elder Malones were up to something. He could see it in their eyes. Shaking off his concerns, Barney leaned over Zee and dropped a kiss on her cheek. Her hand landed on top of his at her shoulder familiarly.

“I’m sorry. We should talk soon.” He spoke as low as possible, knowing Zee heard him when she patted his hand and leaned into his mouth, adding a small nod.

Barney took his seat as Mr. Malone disappeared into the kitchen to open the wine. The food was already spread out and smelled divine.

“This looks amazing. You really outdid yourself.”

Mrs. Malone blushed and deflected or was playing match maker. His money was on the latter.

“Zamantha came over and made the pierogis from scratch.”

They were Barney’s favorite, and she knew that. Did she know they invited him? No, she was just as shocked as he was. But still, that meant she was thinking about him and before he could stop the words, they were out.

“Damn, woman, you know the way to a man’s heart.”

Shit, talk about awkward. Zee choked on her water with wide eyes and Mrs. Malone giggled like a schoolgirl. Barney patted Zee on the back. “Sorry.” It was all he could think to say. With this morning still fresh in his mind, Barney made it a thing. It wouldn’t have been a thing at all if not for memories of last night and this morning looming in his brain.

People say shit like that all the time and it’s not a thing.

God, how he hated when things becamethings.

Mr. Malone was a rock star and returned to the table, shoving a bite in his mouth. “Damn, honey, I might have to rethink our marriage after that,” he quipped as soon as he swallowed.

“Not if I rethink it first.” Everyone laughed it off as they loaded down their plates. Thank God for that man. Barney would have to send him a fruit basket or an ammo basket, or something. What was the appropriate thank you in a situation like that? Barney would have to look it up later.

After the plates were clean and they all were stuffed, Mrs. Malone rose, taking her husband with her. “We’ll grab dessert. You two stay put.”

After the dinner conversation, or interrogation, it was clear what they were up to.

And Barney didn’t mind one bit. As soon as they talked, really talked, and dispelled the awkwardness, Zee was in for a wooing, Barney style.

She’d grabbed his knee multiple times during dinner. Whether it was to be close to him or to halt his tongue, he didn’t care. He would take her touch any way it came.

Somewhere after his first pierogi but before his twelfth, yeah, twelve, he decided. He would make her fall in love with him or die trying. And if she didn’t, at least she would fall back in love with herself, he would see to that.

Her past with Billy and the Army had robbed her. She was so busy conforming and trying to be what others wanted her to be, she lost herself along the way. To cope with that, she told herself the old her was flawed.

Not true, the old her was still there, just hidden. She needed to reconcile all the parts of herself and love them equally. That’s where he would come in.

Barney would help her find that part of her she’d lost or buried. He would help her find herself, which sounded cheesier than shit, but it was what he was feeling.

Leaning in close, he inhaled. . .her. It soothed his soul. “I’m sorry for how I acted this morning. There is no excuse. But if you give me a chance, I promise to make it up to you.”

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