“I love it. Thank you so much.”
“It’s no problem at all. Here, put this on, and we’ll go take pictures.” She hands me a satin robe and instructs me to strip down to my underwear.
Ruby walks out of Stella’s bathroom in a similar ensemble, her hair curled in loose waves and a glossy pink sheen on her lips. We make our way over to the other half of the duplex, and I’m blown away by how different it looks compared to Stella’s house. Where her house is all frills and pinks, the studio is cleanlines, hardwood floors, and bright white walls. She walks us to one of the bedrooms where a four-poster bed sits made with black sheets, and a large gold mirror stands against a wall next to a window.
Stella adjusts the lights to be sexy and moody, setting the tone for the pictures. Anxiety prickles my skin. Am I really doing this? I’m going to take partially naked pictures? I’ve rarely ever taken a full-body picture, let alone a picture in nothing but underwear. Saint obviously finds me attractive, but will he like this?
“Shit, I don’t have Saint’s number,” I blurt out as Stella helps Ruby adjust her body in front of the mirror. They both turn to look at me, then each other, then burst out laughing. “What’s so funny?”
“You slept at his house, in his bed, and you haven’t exchanged phone numbers?” Ruby breathes out between laughs.
It sounds bonkers when I say it out loud. This whole situation with Saint is crazy, and I’m sure they probably think I’m some silly, stupid woman who has no sense of self-preservation.
“Mikey, I need you to breathe for me,” Stella murmurs, placing her hand gently on my arm. “I can feel you spiraling. Talk to us.”
I take a deep breath and gather my thoughts. Stella and Ruby have shown me nothing but kindness, so I shouldn’t feel judged. Saint is Ruby’s brother, for crying out loud. If she didn’t think this was a good idea, surely she would say something.
“You don’t think I’m stupid for driving a man I barely know back to his house then sleeping in his bed? And falling for him so quickly?” It’s the first time I’ve said I’m falling for him out loud, and I swear a weight lifts off my chest.
“Oh, honey,no.I don’t think you’re stupid at all. I think letting yourself feel so deeply for someone is brave. If you knew the things Saint’s done just to see you, you’d thinkhewas thecrazy one. Love does something stupid to our brains and makes us do things we haven’t before,” Ruby says.
“What things has he done?”
“That’s not for me to tell. But promise me when he tells you, you’ll have an open mind. I’ve never seen him so utterly smitten. I think if he thought you’d agree, he’d put a ring on your finger tonight and have you married by Monday.”
I don’t hate the thought as much as I think I should. In fact, it gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling to think about Saint on one knee, asking me to be his wife. I’ve never really thought about being a wife before, but I think being Saint’s would be incredible.
I’ll ask Saint about what Ruby’s talking about later. Unless he’s committed murder, it can’t be that bad.
“Okay, I promise to have an open mind. Now, let’s take some pictures. I want our first text exchange to be memorable.”
20
I’ve been at Kiss & Tell for the last hour helping Claire finalize and set up for the dance. I wanted to text Mikey to check in, but I realized too late I don’t have her number. How have I had my face on her pussy, my cock in her mouth, her in my bed, but not her number in my phone?
I’ll be correcting the mishap as soon as I see her. No way am I letting her leave Cupid’s Cove without a way to talk to her again. I’m not going another three months without seeing her. I can’t. Not after this weekend.
I’m nursing a beer at the bar when Slater slides onto the stool next to me. Color me surprised because Slater usually rolls up to the dance right at the end to find someone to take home.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“I was bored. Thought I’d come get a drink and check in with you. Finally get the scoop on you and Mikey without Ruby around. Claire,” he calls, “can I get a beer please, doll?”
Claire rolls her eyes but plops a beer on the table and cracks it open. “Don’t call me ‘doll,’ dickwad, or I’ll spit in your drinks for a month.”
“Don’t you know that’s my kink, Claire Bear? Are you trying to flirt with me? Because your approach could use some work,” Slater teases.
Claire scoffs. “I don’t need to work on my flirting, Madison. I get more pussy than you.” She walks away to help another patron, effectively ending the conversation.
Slater chuckles as she does. Claire is technically considered a newer transplant since she’s lived here less than ten years. She moved to Cupid’s Cove to take care of her grandpa, the previous owner of Kiss & Tell. He passed away about a year before my mom did. She implanted herself in my and Slater’s friendship with her quick wit and ability to put Slater in his place.
When my mom died, Claire and I found solace in each other and decided to give dating a try, only to find out it wouldn’t work between us. I realized I needed more from a relationship than she was willing to give, and she realized she wasn’t into men. Luckily, our friendship stayed intact.
Slater takes a swig of beer then motions to me. “Spill it, Cupid. Tell me all the dirty details about your pretty mechanic.”
“I’m not telling you shit.”
“I tell you everything about my hookups!”
