“He kissed me, Katie. Didn’t even ask, just laid one on me. So, I slapped him.” I start to laugh and splutter, “it was pure reflex.”
Katie’s laughter joins mine. When I’ve got myself under control, I tell her, “I also beaned him with a wooden spoon.”
There’s stunned silence on the other side, then she’s off again. I sag against the wall and wait my friend out.
“Are you quite finished?” I ask as her laughter dies down.
“I’m not sure,” she admits. “This has made my day. And I’m sure he deserved it but more importantly did you like the kiss?”
I’m silent as I think back. The warmth of his lips on mine, the little flutter in my belly before reflex had taken over. His wide grin, mischievous eyes, and the pure possessiveness and conviction when he told me I was his. The man was dangerous to my sanity. Not only was he gorgeous and self-assured, I had no doubt that he was vastly more experienced than me. I knew who he was from Katie. His full name was Robert Davies, but he was known by his brothers as Hound Dog, which had been shortened to Dog over the years, but I knew why he’d got the name.
“Maggie?” Katie’s soft voice in my ear brought me back to the bustling kitchen.
“I did,” I admit. “But I also know the man is way out of my league.”
“That’s not true,” Katie instantly responds. “You’re gorgeous, kind and the best friend a person could want.”
My heart swells with love for my friend. Katie and I’d grown up three hours from here. We both came from families that, while they weren’t bad, there were too many mouths to feed, and we were encouraged to leave home as soon as possible. Katie was a little older than me and had left home just over a year ago, got a job in the village and had met Shep on one of his leaves. They’d hit it off and had been married within a month.
I’d since found out that his family owned most of the businesses in this village. When he’d left again to go back to barracks and Katie had rattled around in the massive mansion, his family owned. She’d asked if I could move in and, with his permission, I’d done that and got a job at the café as a waitress come cook when Sally needed time off. The two of us had been happy spending time together. She’d been a constant in my life since I’d been born. We’d lived next door to each other, and I considered her more sister than friend.
I was well aware that Shep had friends that lived permanently at the manor, but so far, I’d only met Roman and Jones. This was the first time I’d met Gunny, Thor, and Dog.
“Thank you, Katie. I owe you so much.”
“Pfft, you owe me nothing. You’re my best friend. I love having you with me. Seriously though, if you want me to get Dog to back off, I’ll speak to Shep.”
“No,” I murmured, turning my back to the kitchen so that I got a semblance of privacy. “Don’t do that. It will be okay.”
“Okay, but if you’re uncomfortable you just have to say the word.”
Soft laughter spills from me. “Oh, I’m uncomfortable but not in the way you mean.”
“Hah, I knew it,” Katie squeals. “You like him.”
“I’m not sure like is the word I’d use. You have seen the man, haven’t you? He’s dreamy.”
“Dreamy,” Katie snickers. “Well, you can dream about him next door to you tonight.”
“What!”
“The wing you’re in is Dog’s wing.”
“Ugh,” I grumble. “Now you tell me. I may have to move.”
“As long as it’s not to my wing, I haven’t seen Shep for weeks.”
“Ew, I don’t need that visual thank you, and I certainly don’t want to hear you banging your man. I’ll stay where I am.”
“Maybe you can do some banging of your own,” Katie cackles and then sobers. “I know I’m teasing but if you need to move into our wing, you know you can.”
“Maybe,” I hum, turning back to the kitchen when Sally hits the bell, letting me know their order is ready. “I’ve got to get back to work. I’ll see you at home.”
“Okay,” Katie agrees, though there’s something in her tone that has me asking.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, just don’t let your insecurities get in the way of what could be your happy ever after.”
