Page 60 of Lovely Venom

“I think it’s safe to say I found one of the good ones .” Kenzie dabs some perfume onto her wrists. “Thanks to you.”

“He would have found his way to you eventually.”

“I don’t know about that,” she says. “When you told me you knew a friend of a friend who could drive me home for a while, I never thought it would turn into this.”

“Well, to be fair, the man ended up driving you home every night for a year before he finally made a move.”

She stifles a laugh. “I genuinely couldn’t figure out if he liked me or if he just thought that was his new job.”

“He was playing the super long game, apparently.”

Kenzie smiles, and a beat of silence passes as she seems to consider something.

“There’s just one thing,” she hedges.

“What?”

She shoots me a nervous glance. “We talked about our future, and well, he pretty much said he wants to make me his wife and put babies in me.”

“I imagine he was all serious when he said it too,” I tease.

“Oh, he was.” Her eyes glimmer with amusement. “He also said he wants to provide for me so I don’t have to work anymore.”

“Well, I don’t think that should come as a surprise. That man wants to give you the world.”

“I know we’ve only been together for a year, but when he talks about marriage and kids and stuff, I really want that.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“I don’t know if there is one,” she says. “I guess I just wanted to get your thoughts. I can always count on you to tell me the truth without sugarcoating it. Do you think it’s crazy for me to let go of my job when it gets to that point?”

“I don’t think it’s crazy if that’s what you want.”

“Really? I was so sure you’d say it was a mistake.”

“You’re the only one who can decide what’s right for you,” I tell her. “And honestly, I’m probably not the best person to ask, because I’m a little jaded. But if I were in your position, and I was with someone I could wholeheartedly trust, I wouldn’t say no.”

“Seriously?” She raises her brows. “I had no idea you were over here harboring trad wife fantasies.”

A laugh escapes me when I see the shock on her face. “I’m independent now because I learned how to survive on my own. But believe it or not, I used to love the idea of being a wife and mother. I think women get judged no matter what they do, so we should all just live our lives on our own terms and forget the rest.”

“That makes sense,” Kenzie agrees. “It’s just…I almost feel like I’m betraying myself by giving up my independence after I worked so hard to get it.”

“Trust me, I totally get that.” I rifle through my makeup bag in search of my mascara. “But I think the only way you’ll know for sure is if you establish what you both expect from this arrangement.”

“You’re right.” She sighs. “We just need to talk it through.”

“For what it’s worth, I doubt there’s a thing you could ask for that he wouldn’t agree to.” I set down my compact and turn to face her. “But, Kenzie, there’s something you should know.”

“What?” She frowns.

“He’s not actually in imports.”

“Oh, I know.” Her mouth quirks. “I think I figured that out when he showed up at my apartment with a bullet wound one night. But weirdly enough, it doesn’t really bother me. I mean, I pretty much grew up in a cult, so the Mafia feels like sunshine and roses comparatively.”

“Well, I’m glad you know, and I’ll be here to support you no matter what.”

“Thanks,” she says softly. “The same goes for you. And, Chantel, as your friend, can I say something?”