“I mean, it has been ages since you’ve dated anyone, though, so I totally get needing to get back on the D. But… because of that history, how’s your heart?”
I fought back the instinct to lie.
“It’s… a little confused,” I admitted.
“Aw, of course it is. Especially since he saved your life. And because you kind of knew him before this, so there is already a bit of a connection.”
“And because we’re both locked down here, we’re talking more. And…”
“And?”
“And he’s a surprisingly nice guy. Like, he had a rough past, but he was good too. And he washes the hummingbird feeders and feeds the squirrels and… and he looks at me like I’m a puzzle he hasn’t figured out yet. And he holds me like he doesn’t want to let go.”
“Girlllll...”
“I know,” I agreed, squeezing my eyes closed when tears threatened.
“Don’t cry.”
“I’m not crying!” Yet.
“Are they happy tears or sad tears or confused tears?”
“All, I guess.”
“My sweet little tear factory. Well, let’s tackle sad. You want more than hooking up?”
“It’s probably too soon to make that claim.”
“And yet.”
“And yet,” I agreed.
“Confused… because you don’t know if he feels the same?”
“No. I mean, yes. I just… I know it can’t happen. Not for real.”
“Because of the club rules.”
“Yeah.”
“I mean, there have been exceptions…”
“Niro and Andi and Valen and Louana don’t count, since they were in love as far back as we remember.”
“Okay. Well, then there is Billie and Rowe.”
Thatwasthe one instance that I could compare what was going on with Perish to. Because Billie was a princess who had a wicked crush. Rowe had turned her down. Then, well, stuff happened. Now they’re married with lots of kids.
“I don’t remember, but I don’t think Rowe had quite the, uh, extensive criminal background that Perish does.”
“I think we know this family well enough to know they aren’t going to judge him based on that.”
“Maybe,” I agreed. “I mean, he hasn’t given me any reason to think he is thinking about this as anything more than a hookup. We both agreed that it’s over once I leave the clubhouse.”
“If I were a betting woman, and I am, I would put money on that not happening.”
“I guess we’ll see.”
