Page 72 of Shark’s Pride

“But this isn’t one of those times.”

She narrowed her brown eyes to slits. “With all the love in my heart, girl…bullshit.”

I sighed heavily. “Listen to me. Please. Bas is a high-profile man.”

“That’s the part you don’t have to explain, Abs.”

“Then you also get that there may be things going on in his world that I can’t talk about, even to you. Even if I’d love nothing more.”

“Of course,” she murmured. “I get it.”

“You do?” I didn’t hide my skepticism.

“Yes, Abbi. I’d do the same if it were me with Sean. I really do see where you’re coming from.” She kept her eyes pinned on me. Still delving. Assessing.

“What?” I charged.

“Nothing.”

“Now I’m calling bullshit.” I wasn’t willing to back down anymore. “You’re still not dropping whatever you’re building up in your imagination. I can see it on your face.”

“But does that matter?”

In return, I opened my mouth—but just as quickly snapped it shut. My racing heartbeat helped to confirm my commitment. No backing down. If I was going to continue in a relationship with Bas, and I had every intention of doing so, I needed to set a clear precedent with my sister-in-law, and that meant parameters and boundaries. That had to happen now.

And God, did it feel nice. Really nice. My time with Sebastian, while still so short, was changing me—and in some positive ways. Just a month or two ago, that exchange with Rio would’ve ended with me caving and spilling everything on my mind. I’d probably have gone to tears while doing so. I was stronger now. Tougher. I had Bas to thank for those things. He was teaching me to believe in myself. Because he saw my strength and courage, I saw them too. No matter how things ever turned out between us, those were things I would walk away with. Physically intangible gifts but more valuable by all accounts.

As I loaded up the delivery coolers, I shored my decision of sticking to my guns about creating a new paradigm between us.

“I’m loading up the van and then heading out,” I called to her. “After the lunch runs downtown, I’ll head straight out to Thousand Oaks for the anniversary party. Figure I’ll just take the van overnight and leave my truck parked here.”

“What?” Rio turned from where she’d been drying the last of the pots and mixing bowls. “Why?”

“Well, Thousand Oaks practically sits on top of Calabasas,” I replied with efficiency that matched my movements. If I didn’t get on the road within the next ten minutes, traffic was going to be hell. “There’s no point in coming all the way back here. It’s totally backtracking.”

By the time I finished stating it, there were literally five different things on my mind—to which I added a horrified sixth. But realizing my mistake didn’t recall any of it.

I’d just outed my current living arrangement to my sister-in-law in the most honest way possible.

“Abbigail.” And with the announcement of my name, as if she really were my parental substitute. As if I were a damn child and she’d busted me for breaking curfew.

“You know what, Rio? I’m pretty much over this weirdness with us right now.”

She politely folded the towel in her grasp. “I’m not the one making it weird, Abbi.”

“Once more, I say bullshit. And I’ve been nice about every second you’ve dealt it so far today. The looks. The tone. The judgment.” I copied her stiff stance, though added a marginal tilt of my head. “I’m an adult, remember? Twenty-two years on this earth, and I’ve somehow managed to make it on my own.” I spread my arms wide, turning in a semicircle. “I even own and operate a successful business. In one of the largest cities of the world!”

“Which is remarkable, Abs. Incredible,” she emphasized. “And I’m not here to discount a word of what you’re—”

“Actually…” I cut her off by wheeling back around, my arms still akimbo. “That’s exactly what you’re doing. And I know you’re doing it with all the love in your heart and best intentions in your soul, but you need to stop. And you need to hear me.” I dropped my arms and leveled my gaze. “After twenty-two years of saving my virginity and protecting it like King Tut’s tomb, I’m shacking up with my boyfriend. And I have been for a couple of weeks.” I gave my shoulders a hefty shrug. “There it is. Happy now? Is that why you’ve been giving me your best stink eye all day? Hoping your death ray eye glare would force the truth from me?”

“Sweetie, I only want you to be happy.”

I toyed with the van keys. “Well…I am.” And then tried showing her how much I meant it by meeting her gaze once again. Her eyes turned to soft sable, but a strange light still lingered in them. Doubt? Worry?

There was no time to dawdle in hopes of figuring it out. Even if there was, I wouldn’t have taken it. The woman claimed she wanted me to be happy but still eyed me like the truth police even when I came right out and declared it to her.

“I need to get going,” I mumbled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”