Page 99 of Redemption

“Really?”

“Mm-hmm,” he said, all kinds of proud of himself.

“It takes a lot to shock and awe Seven.” Victoria scrunched her face.

“Are you pouting?” Seven teased.

“Definitely pouting,” Ryder confirmed, then he locked his arm around her neck and pulled her in for a kiss. “Don’t pout. I’ll make you the world’s greatest coffee whenever you ask.”

That kiss sent fireworks exploding in enough ways that she almost grabbed hold of his shirt and kicked Seven out.

“Holy shit,” Seven mumbled.

“Shove it, babe,” Victoria mumbled back.

“I gotta go, love.” Ryder ignored their antics, brushing her hair off her cheek, running his fingers over her skin as though he couldn’t stop touching her. “Thanks for letting me drop by unannounced.”

“Do it again?”

“Promise.”

“Soon as you can?”

“I will.”

He brought her in for one more kiss, and Victoria gave no shits that Seven was somewhere in the kitchen, or maybe the living room, making herself invisible now. She never wanted to let go of Ryder, and as he left, he took her heart with him.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

The door shut, and Victoria could feel Seven’s eyes on her back as much as she could feel Ryder getting farther away.

“Are we going to talk about that man?” Seven asked quietly, all signs of silliness and snark gone.

Victoria leaned against the wall, not turning away from the front door. “What would you like to know?”

Her best friend walked next to her and laid her head on her shoulder. Pink hair mixed with her brown strands as she asked, “When did you know you fell in love?”

Easy.“When I held on to his arm like he was the only thing that could keep me breathing, and he held strong for days, until I knew I could on my own, even though he knew I could the whole time.”

Seven hugged her. “I want that for you. Not what you went through, but what you just said.”

“He’s a good man.”

“You weren’t even looking.”

“Isn’t that how they say it happens?” Victoria asked as Seven dropped her arms. “I don’t know. I don’t think having a relationship has crossed my mind.”

“We’ve been busy.” Seven wandered into the living room and threw herself backward on to the couch.

“Speaking of which, how’s your mom?”

“Eh… seen better days.” Seven refolded the blanket. “You know what else we have to talk about?”

“Yes,” Victoria admitted. “Do you know who I met with today?”

“Nope.”

“Lenora Appleton.” She took the blanket from Seven, unfolded it, and tucked it next to her side. “I’m not supposed to tell anyone.”

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