Soon after, we’re all just lounging around in the living room, fully sated by our copious intake of sugary goodness. Rebel and Wire are talking about sports teams, which I don’t follow, but think I might want to learn more, especially baseball. Sadie tells me all about Kailyn and Maya. Their men are part of Storm too. Maya’s man is Bull, and Kailyn’s guy is Phoenix.
I’ve heard a lot about these guys from Wire. The team isn’t just a bunch of men working together. They’re friends and are closer to being family.
“And Gertie is the best! She has no filter and tells you exactly what she thinks. She’s like our grandma but better because she’s super cool, with a wicked sense of humor.” Sadie goes on to tell me all about this wonderful woman I would love to meet.
“I’d love to meet them all. They sound wonderful. Mina is my closest friend. We’ve been friends since college. When we first met, I think we both thought we’d never get along. Then the professor put us together on a project, and we discovered that we’re not so different after all.”
“What’s she like?” Sadie asks.
“She’s a lawyer and a brilliant one at that. She was offered so many positions after she passed her bar exam that I thought for sure she’d leave for New York or somewhere spectacular, but she decided to open her own small firm and does pro bono work too often to count. She pretends to be a tough cookie, but she’s a marshmallow.” I pause for a moment. “Mina visited every day when Mom and Dad whisked me away into hiding. It was Mina who convinced me that I was ready to move home. She’s stuck by me ever since.”
“She’s a good person. I would love to finally meet her,” Wire says.
“Really?” I turn to look at Wire. “Mina was going to come by tonight, but didn’t want to intrude.”
“Call her back and tell her to come by,” Wire urges.
“Are you sure?”
“If it’s not too much for you, we can have an impromptu get-together and ask the others to join us,” Sadie suggests.
“Sadie,” Rebel cuts in with a warning tone.
“No! Please! I’d like that,” I twist around to face Rebel. “Truly. I’d love to meet all the guys who Wire calls family.” I look at Wire. “What do you think?”
Without hesitation, he says, “Call your girl. I’ll call the others.”
“We need food,” Sadie jumps in, coming to her feet.
“I need to make Mina’s dip, or she’ll disown me. I have to go to the grocery store,” I add.
Rebel gets up. “I’ll take the women shopping after Remmi makes her call. You’d better go pick up Wofie. He’s not going to like being alone all day and all night,” Rebel says to Wire.
“Who’s Wolfie?”
“My dog. His name is Wolfgang,” Wire answers, giving Rebel the evil eye. He pulls me to my feet, then puts his hands on my hips. “He’s a German shepherd, a big but good boy, but if you’re not okay with dogs, I’ll go spend some time with him and come back later.”
“You have a puppy? I love dogs,” I tell him, grasping his arms and smiling brightly up at him. “Dad is allergic, so we could never get one. I’ve thought about adopting one but haven’t gotten around to it.”
His grin is so beautiful that I want to stop time and memorize this moment. His fingers grip my hips tighter, and he pulls me closer, until we’re almost touching. “If you’re not ready to meet everyone, I can make this go away.”
There he goes again, being so considerate of me that I want to cry. “I like you,” I blurt out in a whisper.
Wire looks stunned for a second, and I try to pull away, but he holds me firmly, lowering his lips to my ear. “I like you too, baby. And we’re going to have our talk, but not until we’re alone. Okay?”
“Okay,” I answer, but he doesn’t let go. Instead, he scoots me away into the hall, away from prying eyes.
“I want to kiss you. I’ve thought about what those perfect pink lips would taste like, but the first real kiss I give you will be when we’re alone. They say that anticipation makes it all worth it, but I’m getting tired of waiting. So here’s my warning: Once everyone clears out tonight, I’m going to kiss you, long, sweet, soft and slow, and I’m going to enjoy watching your eyes flutter close,” he says quietly, only for me to hear.
My heart is beating so fast that I could hardly hear his words, but he did say them. Suddenly, I wish I hadn’t agreed to this gathering, because I’ve dreamt of Wire’s kisses, and having to wait an entire day to finally feel his lips against mine is going to be sheer torture.
“Go call Mina, babe,” he says, and kisses my earlobe. He lets me go, and I teeter slightly, wishing his hands were still on me. Wire hands me my phone and takes a step back, giving me a playful wink.
“Please come,” I plead with Mina. “I’m making your dip, and Wire wants to get to know you. All his friends are coming, and I really need my friend by my side.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” she replies with a laugh. “You’re gone for him, aren’t you?”
“I’m crazy, right?”
