“You just want me to live with you forever,” I tease.
“I do,” she admits. “Selfish of me I know but I’d love if we had our babies and they grew up together then I’d never not have you in my life. We may not be blood sisters but you’re my sister in every other way. More so than my own.”
“Oh, Katie. We don’t need blood or me living in your pocket to make us family.”
“I know,” she admits. “But I enjoy having you live with me. We’ve been in each other’s pockets for twenty years. I’d like for it to continue until we’re old and grey.”
“Katie, are you expecting?”
She sighs, “No, but with the way we go at it I doubt it will be long.”
She’s not wrong. Shep and she can’t keep their hands off each other when they’re together. Makes me happy for her, and as I’m not one to lie to myself, it makes me a little envious.
“Maggie,” Sally calls out, and I know my time is up.
“I’ve got to go Katie. I’ll see you tonight. We’ll see if Dog can stop pissing me off long enough for me to get to know him.”
I put the phone down because I know my friend, and she’ll keep talking if I don’t.
Washing my hands, I dry them off and then walk towards the warmer and scoop up the four plates, apologising to Sally, “Sorry Sally.”
She waves me off. “No worries, lass.”
Pushing back through the doors, my eyes dart to the man who in the space of half an hour tilted my world on its axis. His eyes meet mine and hold as I walk towards them to deliver their food.
They all thank me when I place their plates on the table, including Dog, who seems to be on his best behaviour. I wonder if Shep said something. I ignore the twinge of disappointment in my chest that he may not like me for his friend. The red mark on Dog’s forehead from the wooden spoon I’d thrown fills me with guilt. I hadn’t realised I’d hit him that hard. Leaving them their food, I go to the serving counter where I fill a bag with ice and wrap it in a towel. Walking back to their table, I hand it to Dog. Who takes it with a look of surprise.
I motion towards his forehead. “For your head.”
His eyes soften, and he smiles. In that moment, I see behind the façade of a bold, unapologetic, larger-than-life man to the one hidden behind the mask. “Thank you, gorgeous.”
Turning to Shep, I say, “I’ll be back with your drinks.”
“No worries, Maggie, take your time. We’re waiting for Katie to finish work and we’ll all go home together.”
I nod and leave them to their meals. I’m not sure if I’m disappointed or relieved when I go back to clean up and all Dog does is thank me.
I’m so confused. He’d gone from smoking hot to cold. Maybe he’d changed his mind? He wouldn’t be the first.
DOG
I’m well aware that I’m confusing Maggie. I’d seen it in her eyes when she cleaned our table. Hell, I’m confusing myself. What I did know was that she wasn’t going to be just a tumble or a weekend fuck for me. I wanted her in my life forever. If I didn’t think it would have her bolting, I’d have her down at the registry office within the next few days.
I planned to speak to Katie at the first opportunity. I’d found out from Shep that Maggie was Kate’s best friend and had been all their lives. They’d grown up together, living on the same street next door to each other. The eldest of all their siblings, they’d formed a bond not unlike mine with Shep, Gunny, Jones, Roman, and Thor.
I couldn’t fuck this up. I was well aware that I was a dick when it came to women. It was how I got my name. But Maggie wasdifferent, and I wanted her to know that she wasn’t just a roll in the hay for me.
“Shep.”
Shep looks up from his food, eyebrow cocked in query.
“Any chance you can persuade Katie to leave her car in the village and we take the girls home on our bikes?”
Shep grins, and the others chuckle. But like the good brother that he is, Shep nods. “I’ll see what I can do. Leave it with me.”
He finishes his meal, wipes his mouth and stands. “I’ll be back boys.”
Turning, he leaves the café and walks towards where Kate works for the local estate agent. Thor and Gunny also stand.
