“Very true.” I spray more furniture polish on the rag and get back to dusting.
“But,” Jamie adds, almost as an afterthought, “for your information, you make one person happy.”
As if I need her to name the person.
“He can go fuck himself,” I snap.
“Ouch.”
“He’ll be saying a lot more thanouchif he doesn’t keep his distance.”
“Mayhem is small,” she reminds me.
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” I singsong.
She tosses a clean rag at me. The cloth muffles my laughter. I ball it up and fling it back at her. “You’re persistent.”
“He hurt and humiliated me.” I replace the books on the freshly polished shelf. “I won’t apologize for not wanting to forgive him.”
“I’m not saying you should forgive him.” Her grin is downright devious. “But I do think you already did, and you’re too stubborn to admit it, even to yourself.”
I roll my eyes as I shove the last book on the shelf. “I’m not having this conversation.” I glance at my Apple watch. “I need to get back to work. It was awesome seeing you again.”
“Oh, hell no.” She shocks me by grabbing my hands. If I remember correctly, Jamie hated—and I meanhated—human contact. She’s come further than I realized since her return to Mayhem. “Women are scarce in Mayhem. I’m not letting you leave until you promise to join the Tribe.”
My brows shoot up. “The tribe?”
“Yes, the Tribe.” She flicks her head and tosses the braid over her shoulder. “If the boys can have their gang, why can’t we women have ours?”
Makes sense.
“I’m in.”
Yep, no need to even think about this. Female friends? Absolutely. Sign me right up.
“Fantastic. I’ll tell the ladies.” She finally eases her death-grip on my hands, allowing the blood flow to return to my fingers. “It’s you, me, Ava, Tempest, and Sadie. What we lack in numbers, we make up in ferocity.”
“Can we add one more?”
She eyes me cynically. “Who?”
…and there’s the Jamie Ellis I remember. She may be this bright little butterfly, but the colors and the smiles hide a damaged, suspicious soul. I stare deep into her golden-green eyes and see a world of torment reflected in them. No amount of time or fresh memories can erase the abuse she endured.
“My friend, Kerri.”
She thinks a moment, then gives me an enthusiastic nod. “We have rookie numbers. We need to pump them up if we’re going to compete with the men. Sure, we’ll take her.” Even covered in scars, Jamie is stunning. She’s strong and inspiring. And she has a lovely pregnancy glow. I want to stuff her in my pocket and keep her safe. But Jamie? Hell, this woman slays her own dragons. She doesn’t need anyone to protect her.
We weren’t friends as kids, but I sure as hell will nurture this relationship now.
I’ll overlook the fact that Wraith and Jester are still inseparable best friends.
“What are you two conspiring about?” my mother asks as she joins us.
Jamie turns to her, and it’s obvious there’s genuine affection between them. I’ve always known this since Jamie used the library as a sanctuary from her father. Nor am I jealous. “Nothing conspiratorial. Just girl stuff.”
My mother wields the broom she’s holding like a weapon, pointing it at Jamie. “As long as it doesn’t involvethatone… What’s his name? The one who made you cry. Logan.”
“Luke,” I correct.
