“Jesus, Tate. Keep up. Did you know you didn’t want him to get away as soon as you met him?”
Flashbacks of the moment I met him when I walked the girls home after they snuck out flash through my head. He was a grumpy bastard but hot as sin, and I wanted to climb him like a tree.
“No, but he’s growing on me.”
“So, someone has to grow on me?”
I chuckle. “No, silly. I’ve been burned too many times, and my shield is a little bit thicker than yours. Wylder and I met under strange circumstances. I’d say the second time I met him, he made my toes curl, and I’m not sure there was any turning back after that.”
“So, you’re officially a thing?” he asks.
“I think so,” I whisper, pacing in front of the clothing shop. “We haven’t really talked about what we are, but I think so.”
“Ridiculous. Why is shit this complicated?”
“Because love isn’t always easy.”
He gasps. “Do you love him?”
My stomach flips at the question. “I have feelings for him, but love… It’s too early.”
“Could you love him?”
“Yes,” I breathe.
“I like that for you. He’s a good dude.”
“Yeah. I haven’t found anything I dislike about him.”
“That’s big, coming from you.”
“It kind of is.”
“Where do you think I should look for someone?”
“Don’t look. She’ll find you when you least expect it. I know Wylder did.”
“I got to run,” Brax says. “I’m meeting my buddies at the gym. Maybe I’ll stop by the shop later.”
“You should. Our cousins get in this evening. Drop by and see them.”
“I forgot about that. I’ll drop by for sure.”
“Later, baby brother,” I say, teasing him.
“Bye, asshole,” he says with a chuckle before the call disconnects.
I glance back up, staring through the glass to see the most beautiful silk and lace nightgown against the wall of the store. I want it. It would be a great reminder of this trip and make the perfect surprise for the next night Wylder and I spend together.
The door to the store isn’t even fully open when a woman appears, greeting me and ushering me inside.
“Hi,” I say back, feeling a little uncomfortable at how quickly she descended on me. At the stores closer to home, I practically have to hunt down a salesperson to buy something, but not here. Some people would find it refreshing, but I am too used to my space.
“What can I help you with today?”
I point to the nightgown, soaking in its beauty.
“Ah,” she says with a cluck of her tongue. “It’s a stunning little number.”
