And today, I’m taking my two better halves—or thirds—to a day out. We’ve been cooped inside for too long. I sure as hell have. So it’s time to bring my better thirds out for some air.
Pulling out my Razr, I dial my old flip phone’s number, hoping Em picks up. “C’mon, gorgeous,” I mumble, looking around.
A few rings after, and I hear her pretty voice. In the background,Kaye’s cussing, sounding shrill about it.
“Stan…?”
Em saying my name like that reminds me too much of how she moaned it last night. I almost forget to talk, until she checks on me.
“Hello?”
Clearing my throat, I rub at the back of my neck. “Hey, gorgeous, mind coming down to the dungeon? Bring Lix too, would ya?”
“Okay, but…” Em hesitates, then I hear Kaye scream. “Elle and I are trying to convince Kaye that a house spider is harmless, so I may be a while.”
I laugh and ask, “Is she trying to shoot the thing?”
“She’s currently wielding a knife,” Em says. “Butter, to be precise.”
I bite down my smile, even if no one can see me completely smitten by this super cute scientist and the way she talks. “Why don’t you ask Lix to take the spider outside?”
“Unfortunately, a house spider may not survive well in the wild, especially during winter.”
Sitting on my bike, I’m all ears for one of her sexy lectures, but I want her and Lix down here soon. “Oh, yeah?” I chuckle. “Well, d’you wanna let the little guy live with us in our room?”
“Ourroom?” she repeats, sounding surprised.
I comb my fingers through my short hair. “Yeah, I mean, we christened the sheets.” My next chuckle comes out a bit breathless. “You sure did. That’s why we set down towels before you…came.”
“Clever play on words.” She scoffs. God, I love her. “Oh, here’s Lix. I’ll go talk to him.” Right before she hangs up, I hear her say, “Kaye, please put the knife down.”
Laughing to myself, I stay seated and hold my phone in both hands. Ever since last night, it feels like finally finding that one missing piece. And now that she’s part of me and Lix…
I don’t know how I can go back to not having Em like this.
So,even though I have major respect for Idris—I wouldn’t have met Em without him—he can absolutely move on with his life, knowing I gave him fair warning.
Em’smine. And Lix’s too. She’s allours.
My phone buzzes before it rings. Well, it doesn’t really ring. The sound it makes is the sloppy makeout Lix and Em had in front of me, while I was sneakily recording them. What they don’t know won’t hurt ‘em.
I pick it up after hearing their moans harmonize. But it’s too quiet for my tastes. Needs to be way louder than that.
“Hey there, gorgeous.”
“My apologies,” Em says. “I didn’t mean to leave the call abruptly.”
“No problem, Em.”
“Lix and I are on our way down.”
“Great.” I grin, rubbing my abs through my skintight shirt. “Bring any snacks for your big guy?”
“Yes, I have a basketful.” She sounds a bit out of breath. “You said we’d have a picnic?”
“Yup…” I try to hide how worried I am. Idris warned us about what Em’s going through, but we have to be tight-lipped and subtle about taking care of her around it. Doctor’s strict orders.
“Elle filled a basket with food and drinks.” I can hear Kaye complain in the background. “Kaye says she’s not upset about us not including her. But I would guess that she’s speaking passive aggressively.”
