“Excellent. I’m glad you’re here—we’ve been brainstorming some women’s and LGBTQ+ self-defense seminars, but we’ve gotten some feedback from clients who are hesitant about walking into a gym that’s primarily staffed by men,” he told me.
I blinked at Addie, then at Arnaud, who flashed me a killer smile. “Okay.”
“So,” Addie said pointedly, “I realized we know someone whose shop has established itself as a safe space for anyone who walks in, and who happens to have enough room for a decent sized group to meet in.”
“For a self-defense workshop? That’s…actually amazing,” I mused. “Absolutely. I’d be more than happy to host that kind of thing.”
Arnaud rose to his feet. “I would love to work with you on this, Eden. These ladies saved my little sister’s life after she was assaulted, and I’ve been trying to find a way to pay it forward. We’re actively working toward making the school a more welcoming place, but the instructor I took over from was notvery open-minded. There’s still work to be done in shifting our legacy.”
“That sounds like a wonderful goal,” I replied. “My classes have been incredibly empowering, and I’d love to share that with a wider audience. Addie and Monique can coordinate a schedule with you, since they’re involved in all of our other events. Tuesday is the only weeknight that’s booked.”
My cousin squeezed my elbow; Olivia had been hesitant to impose, but between Addie and Milo, they talked her around. Game nights were officially taking place at Garden of Delights, starting that very night.
Arnaud shook my hand and thanked me for being open to the idea, Monique kissed my cheek, then Addie walked me back out through the maze of cubicles and out to my car.
“I always knew you’d do amazing things, Eden,” she said softly.
“You guys are the ones making a real difference.”
“Babe, if you can’t see the difference you’re making, you need to open your eyes. We’re a team, and we’re all kicking ass here.”
I laughed and hugged her. “Okay,thatI will accept, but only if we get some cool team shirts.”
“Oh, I’m so on it,” Addie said, grinning at me. “I’ll see you tonight for gaming?”
The flinch almost caught me unawares, but Addie saw it. She grabbed my shoulders and stared into my eyes for so long, I thought she waspracticing telepathy.
“Everything is going to be fine, babe. I promise.”
I managed a small but honest smile and nodded. “Everything is going to be fine. See you tonight.”
Miloshowedupevenbefore Dueling Dragons’ closing time that afternoon. I was in the middle of tidying up the floor, trying to keep myself occupied so the anxiety couldn’t settle in.
“What are you doing here already?” I asked.
Instead of answering, he strolled up to me and dropped a kiss on the side of my neck, then rubbed his chin back and forth to tickle me with his beard. I couldn’t fight the low hum of pleasure rising in my throat, but I felt his lips curve and wondered if that had been his goal all along.
“I wanted to be here when Liv showed up so I could help her set up. You’re giving us a free space to use on a weekly basis. I don’t want you to feel like your business is suffering because you’re trying to do two things at once.”
“Hmm. You’re incredibly thoughtful, did you know that?”
He laughed and turned me in his arms so he could kiss me properly. When he drew back, he said, “It’s come up once or twice. Besides, I had an ulterior motive.”
I raised a brow and replied, “Oh?”
“I wanted to take a look at the new merchandise, see if there’s anything else to add to my Valentine’s Day list,” he murmured.
Heat rose in my face—the man certainly did enjoy the lingerie sets I’d worn for him so far. “Right. Well then, be sure to note down any favorites.”
Milo grinned, kissed the pink spots on my cheeks, and disappeared into the back room where the table was waiting to be unfolded. I turned to survey the store, playing a guessing game with myself to figure out which items he would pick.
And which ones I would surprise him with even before Valentine’s Day rolled around.
Addie and Olivia came through the front door just before I locked it, but they’d told the rest of the players to come around the back. While none of the others minded missing out on the nerdy setting of Dueling Dragons in order to play here, a few of them were intensely shy, especially about walking through a shop full of underwear. Addie told me she’d never seen so many blushing dudes in one place when Liv presented the proposed change of location.
After I finished up out front, I hit the lights and joined the group in the back room. Milo snagged my hand and tugged me into his arms.
“So, how will we entertain ourselves? Should we stay in here and listen, or would you like to join me in the breakroom? I seem to recall seeing a cozy chair in there that should fit both of us.”
