Page 105 of A Wild Card Kiss
“Um, I thought you were upset. You were just shaking your head like crazy,” I say, flummoxed.
She laughs into my hair. “Because I’m so happy for you, you dork.” Then she yanks me in tighter for a hug.
Second out-of-body experience so far today, and it’s not even noon. But I go with it, hugging her back. “You’re happy for me? You don’t hate me? You don’t think I’m terribly selfish?” I ask against her shoulder as tears slip down my cheeks.
She shakes her head once again, then breaks the hug but clasps my shoulders. “No. I think this is incredible. I’m happy for you. And telling me takes guts. Being willing to walk away from a deal takes big ovaries. Going after love takes so much courage.”
Oh, hell. The tears fall even faster. “Really?”
“Yes, really. You’re not at all like Mom. You’re brave and gutsy, and I think this is fantastic. You could have sneaked around for two more months, but you didn’t.”
It’s my turn to wince. “Well, we did sneak around yesterday. We had sex at the yoga studio, and then when Mom showed up this morning, I knew I couldn’t wait any longer.”
She smacks my thigh. “Sex at the studio! Oh my God, you dirty, racy girl. I want to hear how it was.”
I grin, all hopped up on endorphins again. A tingle races down my chest from the memory. “Amazing,” I say.
But I’m not only remembering the physical side of our relationship.
I’m recalling all the emotions.
And the words.
And the connection.
And I can’t wait to share those details with my pack. “He’s a good guy with a big heart, and he’s in love with me too,” I say, feeling all dreamy and warm. “Like, one hundred percent. You and Emerson and Jillian and Skyler have nothing to worry about. He’s worthy.”
She bounces on the cushion and claps her hands with glee. “Dish.Now.Everything. You’ve been holding back. I demand every swoony and dirty detail.”
So, I tell her, sharing how we got to know each other better, how we fell for each other over yoga sessions and lunches, over conversations and monkey bread. How all that went down before we smashed into each other again yesterday.
“Clearly, resistance was futile at that point.” She can’t stop grinning and grabs my hand, squeezes it. “He sounds great. You seem happier than you ever have been. And I know you wanted to see what could happen with him.” Her lips curve into a knowing grin. “Honestly, I had a feeling when you asked about the contract at dinner a couple weeks ago.”
I tilt my head, grinning. “Yeah, I kinda sensed you did.”
She rolls her eyes, giving me the mostduhofduhlooks ever. “Hello! It wasn’t that hard to figure out.”
“I’ve been researching replacements like crazy. I’ve gone to a ton of classes, and I want to find the perfect person to—hopefully—fulfill the contract. I know the Renegades might say no, and that’s on me. I’ll do whatever you need me to do to find new clients to make up for it. Hell, you can dock my profits until we sort this out.”
A wild snort emanates from her. “Oh my God. You’re hilarious.Dock your profits?Give me a break. It’s our company. Yours and mine—equal ownership. I’m not docking your profits. We both took on the risks, and I’m not going to punish you.”
“You’re not?”
“Did you think I would?” She pokes my chest, then hisses. “Now I am pissed at you.”
I sigh, but I’m smiling and she is too. “I just want to do right by you and the company.”
“And you are,” she says, then winks. “But don’t you worry. I’ve got your back.”
Intrigued, I arch a brow. “What do you mean?”
“Like I said, I had a feeling this might happen. So I’ve been scouting replacements for you too.”
I squeal now—full on, through the roof. “Oh my God. You have?”
She taps her temple. “Sister intuition.”
“I’ll say.”
