Page 50 of Surviving Midnight

“No!” Her eyes widen. “God no. I’m not looking to start any more shit than I already have, and it isn’t worth it.”

“You sure?”

“Definitely. I already have a best friend, so I think I’d like to avoid making any enemies just for the sake of trying to have a few more.”

I lean down and kiss her because I have to, because this woman constantly amazes me with how easily she rolls with things, then do it again because goddamnit I could fall for her so fucking easy I wouldn’t even feel it.

Hell, maybe I already have.

Surprisingly, the possibility of falling for Theo isn’t at all terrifying like I thought it’d be. Not her specifically, but I always thought when I was struck by Cupid’s arrow, so to speak, I’d be shitting my pants over the concept.

I’m not though.

Maybe it’s because of what I said before, about secretly wanting what Prez and Sofie have, what my parents never had. Or maybe all it took was the right woman walking into my life at the right time to make me see that wanting it was ok because I might actually deserve it.

Either way, I like the idea of falling for Theo and since I’m halfway there, it’s a damn good thing I’m not running scared.

“You can’t let me out of your sight.” She smiles into another kiss. “I’m used to embarrassing myself, but I don’t want to embarrass you.”

“Not gonna happen.”

“Have you met me?” She giggles as I take her hand, thread our fingers, and lead her to the front door. “I’m a tornado that does more damage than the one that sent Dorothy to Oz.”

* * *

A few hours later,well after an amazing dinner and all the traditional festivities of a wedding reception, I’m kicked back with Prez and Marbles while we watch Sofie and Harlow—Marbles’ wife—crack up at Theo while she is no more than an inch away from Sofie’s baby bump, her nose practically pressed into the silky fabric of the wedding dress as she croons to their daughter in Klingon.

“You gotta marry that one.” Prez grins before he takes another pull from his beer. “Blondie is a keeper.”

I grin back, eye glued to my girl. “You just like her cause she’s speaking your language.”

He nods thoughtfully then shakes his head. “Nah. It’s more than that. Don’t get me wrong, a fellow Trekky is always welcome at my table, but Blondie is special. Like my Sofie.”

“And she’s fucking hilarious,” Marbles grunts with a distorted smile. “Can’t hold her liquor for shit though.”

I chuckle as Theo proves his point by attempting, and failing, three times to get up off the couch before she gives up and basically melts onto the floor with a beautiful grin and her head in Sofie’s lap. In her defense, she’s had about six shots of Pork Chop’s homemade vodka and that shit could peel the paint of the walls. I’m shocked Theo was able to drink that much without puking up a lung.

“She’s pretty fucking great.” I nod as Blondie catches my eye and gives me a little finger wave, squints, then mouthsI really like them.

“Damn, brother.” Prez nudges my knee with his bottle. “You got it bad already, don’t you?”

I just shrug and take a swig of the beer I’ve been nursing. Yeah, I got it bad but I’m not telling anyone until I tell Theo, and I plan on telling her tonight when I’m balls deep inside her at home.

“Aw shit.” Marbles smacks the back of my head then flicks my dick through my pants. “Looks like we’ll be having another wedding up in this bitch sooner than we thought.”

“And it ain’t gonna be Spider and Lola.” Prez adds with a grunt.

With a protective hand over my crotch, I turn. “What is up with that shit anyway? I thought he caught her cheating again?”

Prez nods. “Fourth time, man.”

“But he can’t see what a vile cunt that leather licker really is.” Marbles grabs another beer. “Wish she’d just leave him the hell alone.”

Speak of the devil.

Lola saunters her way over to us looking like a fucking cheap call girl, an attempt at seduction pulling at her Botox filled lips. She looks at the girls, Theo back on the couch and telling Sofie and Harlow some story with very animated hand gestures, scowls briefly before she makes her way to us.

“Congrats, Prez,” Lola sighs. “So happy for you and Sonja.”

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