Chasing Fate (Dark Love 5)

“I’m not in love,” I concede, thrown back by the brutality of her words. “Bros don’t fall in love, remember?”

She nods her head, but the silence lingers until I pull her back to me and embrace her tightly. Her hair still smells like strawberries, and I can’t help but smile at the familiarity once again. Against my chest, I feel her sigh and her body relax. We just need to find a new normal between us, that’s all.

“So, I heard you’re getting serious with your vibrator,” I joke, kissing her hair. “You know he’ll ruin you for all men?”

Kate smacks my chest, pulling back but remaining in my embrace. “What makes you think it’s a he?”

“Because it’s shaped like a dick.”

“Oh, good point…”

“So, are we good?” I ask, resting my hand on her shoulder.

She nods with a grin. “We’re good.”

Charlie walks back in with a fancy plate. “Okay, so let’s get this show on the road. Lex is marinating chicken outback. I tell you what, he never tells me what’s in the marinade since, according to him, it takes hours to prepare, but it tastes amazing. He could be a chef.”

“Is there anything that man can’t do?”

“Do you want the clean or dirty answer?” Charlie asks seriously, keeping her grin to a bare minimum.

“Clean,” Kate and I almost yell in unison.

“Let’s see…” She taps the spoon over her mouth. “He can’t do a French braid.”

My face remains placid. “Can he do a regular braid?”

“Yes,” she responds with a smile. “If you’ve got girls, you’ve gotta learn.”

“Okay, this conversation is over,” I tell them. “So, listen, can I bring Morgan to the barbecue? I think it would be good for her to meet you guys.”

“I finally get to meet the girl who tamed the beast,” Kate snickers.

“Beast? Give me some credit, Kate.”

“Oh, fine. I finally get to meet the girl who stole your heart.”

I almost choke on my coffee. “No, there’s no stealing of hearts. In fact, there are no hearts involved whatsoever.” I laugh nervously.

Charlie puts down her mug and watches me sternly along with Kate. These two women could bring a whole army down with their patronizing stares.

“Shall I tell him?” Charlie looks at Kate, goading a response.

Kate nods her head, agreeing.

“Tell me what?”

“You’re falling for her. Hard,” Charlie asserts.

“I am not,” I lie. “I really enjoy being with her.”

“Denial will only get you so far, Noah,” Kate adds her two cents’ worth. “So, I guess Scarlett’s out of the picture, then?”

“Never say never.”

When the words leave my mouth, I instantly regret them. Scarlett is beautiful. She can charm the universe with just one smile. But I have to admit to myself, as much as it troubles me to do so, that my defense mechanism went up because I’m scared that I am falling for Morgan. I don’t even know how that feels or what it truly means. But whatever it is, I haven’t thought it before, and it’s terrifying me. I’m confusing great sex with love.

“You can’t pursue Scarlett if you’re seeing Morgan.” Charlie’s quick to judge.