Page 19 of Torqued Off

“Well, some women want things in a count of three.” He mumbles, “Demanding.”

I laugh.

Sasha’s brow peaks. “Sounds intriguing, but I’ll leave it alone.”

“Hey, bitches!” My bestie Reign saunters in with her man on her heels. He’s not a Guardian, but he does work for Hard Brake, and he is hot as…hades.

He grunts and chin juts as he walks through with a swagger that you can’t teach a man.

“How’s that going?” I ask her.

She holds out her hand and wiggles it in our faces. The sparkle coming off the rock almost blinds me. Sasha and I squeal our happiness for our friend.

“I guess well,” I offer while grabbing what’s the size of my pinkie fingernail. “For a man who doesn’t say a whole lot, he sure does scream that you’re his.”

She lifts her shoulders and wiggles. “He’s not wrong.”

I hand off the hamburgers to Sasha and she heads out.

“So, engaged. How are you feeling?” I ask.

“It’s a dream. A friggin’ dream.”

“And you’ve worked through all the bumps?”

“You know loving a man who’s been through hell is a challenge, but I think you’d say it’s worth it.”

“Completely. If anything they know what they want and what they have to lose.”

“Truth, sister.” She looks at the spread. “And your man has a lot to lose with you. Jeez, did you do all of this yourself?”

I examine the collection of salads and eats for the twenty-plus people who are in the backyard. “I did some, people brough some, you know how it is with this group. Everyone wants to help.”

She wraps and arm around me in a side hug. “You still wondering when Thane’s going to ask you to marry him?”

“Nah. I’ve decided maybe we just aren’t the marrying kinds. Maybe it’s as good as it gets here and now.”

She kisses my temple. “Oh honey, it gets so much better. No worries.”

Reign walks out into the backyard and everyone cheers.

Apparently, Avi told everyone.

I’m happy for her, but part of me wonders if maybe I’m just not the woman that Thane really thinks he needs for…forever.

I finish cleaning up and getting all the bowls to the table.

Thane opens the back door. “Baby, can you come out here and check these burgers? I think they’re done, but I want your opinion.”

“Sure, just a minute.”

“But dry hamburgers…” He gives me that pouty-please look that he’s perfected for a three hundred pound man he can turn into a child.

“Fine. Let’s go.” I push him back out and everyone turns to face us and I see the raw burgers sitting, still covered with wrap in the pan. “Why aren’t the hamburgers on the grill?”

“Because there’s something more important, Bree.” He grabs my hand and drops to his knee.

I glance to Reign and give her theyou-have-anything-to-do-with-thislook. She shakes her head and smiles big.

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