Page 53 of Unconditional

“No,” she said quickly.“You didn’t.As much as I hate to admit it, and Iwilldeny it if you ever repeat this—Talon was right.I should’ve known better than to jump to conclusions like that.You’re my best friend, I know you’d never betray me like that.”

“But didn’t I?”My voice cracked while my fingers wrapped tightly around the mug in front of me.

Leaning forward, Birdie pried my hands off the mug and grasped them in her own.“It wasn’t like you had very many great options.I suppose I’m just protective of Milo.Of the peace he’s found here over the last several months.That we have found together.We’re really happy, Mize.So, when I saw Talon, I guess it took me back to last year, and all the shit that we had fought to get away from.And all the stories that Milo has told me of his family.”

I winced, trying to take comfort in her hands holding mine.But all I could think about was how Talon was so much more than the monster she saw him as, and how I had no idea how to show her that.

“That’s how I saw him too,” I said, weakly.Birdie’s fingers tightened on mine.

“Past tense though, right?”There was no malice when she said it, only quiet curiosity.I dared myself to meet her eyes.

“Yeah, past tense.”

For several long moments, Birdie was quiet; thoughtful.When she spoke again, it was softer.“Milo wants to hear him out and if that's what he wants then…well then I want that too.Not just for Milo, but for you too.”

My lips trembled, my heart seeming to crack right open on the table.She had no way of understanding just what her words meant to me, her willingness to see past my mistakes and loving me anyway.I had to prove to her that I was worthy of it, and this seemed to be the best time to start.

“If it weren’t for Leo, I genuinely don’t think Talon would’ve come here,” I said at last, letting my certainty bleed into my words.“He would’ve let Milo be.”

She nodded, taking one of her hands back so she could sip her coffee.“I believe you.”

There was a mass amount of comfort in that, weight easing off my shoulders.Until Birdie shot me a sinister grin and said, “And now that we’ve gotten this far, I want the whole story.And you better not skimp on any of the juicy bits.”

I snorted, giving her a disbelieving look.“Seriously?”

Crossing her arms over her chest, Birdie nodded.“Every.Dirty.Detail.Spill it.”

thirty-eight

Misely

Thesoundofboisterous,masculine laughter pouring through the front of the cabin announced the return of Talon and Milo.I had no idea what could possibly be so funny, but it sounded like there was enough humor to go around.

Birdie and I shared a surprised look, slowly rising from where we were still situated at the breakfast nook.I had just finished telling her the entire chaotic story of Talon showing up at my apartment until now.Her face when I told her how our first time had been, was comedic gold, but she crumpled into a fit of laughter when I told her about Talon staking a claim on me to Brantley.Somewhere along the line, she had gone from concerned, disbelieving, shocked, laughing, to finally settling on a wobbly smile.

I was about to tell her that I was pretty certain my heart was going to be broken at the end of all of this, when the man in question burst through the front door laughing with his brother.Birdie gave me a conspiratorial look that suggested,we’ll continue this later.

Milo stepped into the kitchen first, headed straight for Birdie.He took her in his arms without a moment’s hesitation, pressing a long kiss to her lips.He murmured something in her ear that made her flush before turning to me.“I see the dynamic duo has made up.”

I gave him a curt nod, a little embarrassed to have witnessed what seemed to be a private moment.When Talon stepped in after him, I felt my entire body freeze.He had not been secretive about our assumed relationship in anyway the night before.How would he behave now?

His eyes met mine and it was like lightening.There was no sweeping embrace or romantic kiss, just a long penetrative look that said more than words ever could.My face flushed under his scrutiny and the sight seemed to trigger him to run a finger down the line of my jaw to tilt my head up by my chin.He mouthed, ‘you okay?’ soundlessly, and I nodded, inadvertently leaning into his touch.

His thumb coasted over my skin and I sighed, a small bit panicked by the way his company had washed away the last of my anxieties.With the fragile truce between Birdie and I, and Talon back within touching distance after what seemed to be a very good run, I felt more relaxed than I had all week.Maybe all year.

“Well,” Birdie said, breaking me away from the bubble that seemed to have formed around Talon and me.“I’m going to get started on breakfast.Baby, do you have to run to Nina’s today?”

Milo kissed the top of her head and moved around her to head toward the hallway where the bedrooms were.“Yeah, I was thinking about taking Tal with.Give you ladies some girl time.”

“Nina’s?”Talon said at the same time I said, “Tal?”

He shot me a warning look and I bit back my smile.

Milo grinned.“Yeah, it’s the bar where I work.”

Birdie gaped.“You don’t—” It was his turn to shoot her a look, some secret passing between them.I'd be asking her aboutthatlater.

“Erm,” Talon said awkwardly, glancing to me.Seeming to have settled on something, his features relaxed.“Sure.Yeah, that should be fine.”Milo shot his brother another smile before turning down the hall and disappearing into what I assumed was his and Birdie’s shared bedroom.

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