Page 34 of Pucking Wild

“I’ll be right out,” she calls back. Then she’s focused on me. “Listen, if you feel that weird about staying here, I have another place you can stay.”

“Another place? You a real estate mogul now, Rach?”

She smirks. “No, it’s Ilmari’s old place. Cute little bungalow about fifteen minutes from here. Right on the Intracoastal—”

“I can’t do that,” I cry.

“Why not?”

“Well…because it’shishouse. Staying here with you and your guys feels weird but staying in Ilmari’s house feels…weirder.”

She slips her hand into her pocket. “It’s not like he’s using it. He lives here now, remember? He just hasn’t sold it yet. Here—” She works a small silver key off her keychain and holds it out. “Consider it part of your package deal, Ms. Director of Operations. Keep in mind that free housing comes with obligatory dog-sitting…you know, when you’re not turtle-sitting.”

I can’t help but smile as I reach out and take the key.

“I’ll text you the address once I get in the car,” she says.

“Thanks, Rach,” I murmur, annoyed that stupid tears are stinging my eyes again. I’m going to make it one day without tears this holiday season, or I’ll walk into the ocean and join the turtles permanently.

“Hey,” she says, placing a hand on my shoulder. “I love you.”

“I know,” I reply with a watery smile. “What’s not to love?”

“Exactly. That’s what I’ve been saying for three years. You are a goddess, and you deserve to be worshipped and adored. Altars, burning of incense…maybe some ritual orgies.”

“Will you just go?” I laugh, giving her a shove. “Or Mars is gonna drag you out.”

“Are you staying?”

I close my fist around the key and nod.

“Good.” Finally, she moves towards the door. “Oh, and hey,” she calls over her shoulder. “There’s a sauna out on the back patio, and it’s divine. Give it a try.”

I follow her through the kitchen and down the hall, narrowing my eyes at the back of her head. “You guys fucked in it, didn’t you?”

“No comment,” she replies with a laugh.

I just sigh. “Yeah, you fucked in it. ‘Cause you’re a horny little horndog who can’t get enough.”

“Can you blame me?” she teases, tugging open the front door. “You get yourself a hockey player and see if you can ever get enough.”

“Is that an invitation?” I tease right back.

“Down, girl. The Rays are off limits, remember?”

My heart stutters a bit as I think of my dance with Ryan, the kiss I wanted but didn’t get. Just as she’s about to step out the door, my hand is reaching out, brushing her arm. “Hey—do you really mean that? Is it like a hard line in the sand for you?”

She turns, her gaze leveled at me. “Oh, Tess, what did you do?”

“Nothing,” I cry, feigning indignation.

“Tess…”

“Nothing,” I say again, laughing this time. But then I squeeze my boobs together and give her a saucy wink. “Yet.”

“I fucking hate you,” she says, shaking her head.

“You love me, remember? You just said it.”

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