“You love to cook and you can put those at your house or leave them in the big kitchen,” Lacy said, her smile small and nervous.
“This was so thoughtful, I love them all.” Looking over my shoulder to the kitchen I said, “I don’t know. I use the big kitchen so much, but this could be a cute touch in the house.” Overcome with emotion, I threw myself at her. “Thank you so much. I really love them.” Pulling away a little, I smiled and held up the shirt for Hawk to see.
More people filled the bar and the noise level went up. I excused myself to the nearest bathroom to change shirts, since they had theirs on.
Once I pulled it on, I couldn’t help but grin. I’d never had an airbrushed shirt before and I’d never gotten a gift like that from friends.They had a shirt made for me so we’d match.
I wanted so badly to fit in, but it hadn’t been easy, and I worried I was seen as an outsider still, so the shirt was symbolic to me. Maybe it wasn’t that big to them, but it was to me.
Looking in the mirror, I got a little choked up. But I swallowed it down. I’d never in my life been so emotional as I had since I got to this place. With Mama being gone so long and being raised by mostly men, escorted by men, and trained by men, I was taught to be stoic, composed, remember who I was. But my whirlwind here released some part of me that had been suppressed for so long.
Who knew being around a bunch of bikers would soften me up?
Laughing at myself, I rushed out of the restroom to go show everyone the shirt, but froze when I opened the door and saw Jeannie speaking to Hawk.
He scowled at her then walked towards me. I stood in the doorway, watching her walk away after she shot a look over hershoulder.
His scowl softened. “I came to check on you. You were in there a bit. You alright?” he asked, trying to tuck some hair behind my ear but I pulled away.
“What the hell was that about?” I may have been a novice in bed, but I’d been around enough hungry women in my life to know when there was trouble.
He was calm. “I came to find you, and she popped up. I told her I was looking for you and to get out of my way.”
“I do not like her.”
He grinned. “Your accent thickens when you’re mad.”
“I’m not mad, I’m suspicious. I do not like her.”
“So you said. She’s just a bunny.” He leaned in and kissed my forehead. “You’re mywife.” His tone, his warm smell, and the feel of his lips on my skin lowered my hackles.
“She is not a bunny, she doesn’t live here,” I said.
He sighed. “Right. She’s nobody. So don’t let it bother you.” He grabbed my hands, pulling them up to his chest, one still clutching my other shirt. “I’m the president. It’s not even me they want. It’s just the patch. She’ll get over it. Now, c’mon. We got a full house.”
“Fine. But I want to catch up with the ladies a bit. They bought me presents,” I nearly whispered as I pulled my shirt-wielding hand away and tugged at the hem of the new one.
“Of course. C’mon,” he said as he threaded his fingers into mine and led me back to the bar.
Kristie, Lacy, and Daisy were at their normal table so I walked over to put my shirt next to Hawk and grab both Klara and my drink. “C’mon. Let’s go catch up and have them tell us all about the crazy trip.”
Klara stood, and so did Niko. “Ladies.”
Yes. Definitely had to talk to Klara in a bit. He was being strange.
We took a seat and the women all crooned at my shirt.
“It’s perfect!” Daisy said.
I ran my hand down my stomach. “It’s not too tight?”
They all laughed. Kristie leaned in. “I have like twenty pounds on you, and they got me skintight, too. That’s the look here.”
“You are also much taller than me. Oh, ladies, do you remember Klara?” I asked after stopping myself from a sip. “This is Daisy, Lacy, and Kristie. Shiv is still away.”
Klara smiled. “I remember. We had fun at the wedding.”
“Don’t forget me,” Jeannie’s voice cut over the music. She pulled up a chair from another table and squeezed in next between Lacy and Daisy. “But we just met earlier, so I suppose you wouldn’t yet.”
