I gave her a quick kiss, then headed outside to grab her stuff. When I came back in, Marlowe was in the bedroom sitting on the edge of my bed. She looked so beautiful—like she was meant to be there, and if I had my way, I would start and end my day looking at her in that very bed.
Chapter 24
Marlowe
When Rafe mentioned we were going to the Sinners’ clubhouse for a party, I was a little apprehensive. It wasn’t that I was worried about the guys. I’d been around them plenty at Stilettos, but I hadn’t spent much time with the brothers’ ol’ ladies. Sure, I’d met both Delilah and Remington, but I’d never really spent much time with them and knew little about them—just that they were incredibly beautiful. Delilah was a petite, red-headed nurse with a spitfire personality, and Remington was a gorgeous brunette with a smile that could bring any man to his knees. It was impossible not to feel a little intimidated, but thankfully, it didn’t take long for me to realize I’d worried for nothing. They, along with everyone else, were not only friendly, but they were also a blast to be around. The girls and I were all talking and laughing as we had a few drinks at one of the back tables of the bar.
We were on our second round when Delilah, Hawk’s ol’ lady, leaned over to me and asked, “Did you ever decide to reach out to your biological mother?”
“Yes, I’ve written to her a couple of times, and she responded. I actually think we’re going to meet soon.”
“How do you feel about that?” Delilah asked. “Are you nervous about meeting her?”
“A little, but I’m sure she’s just as nervous about meeting me.”
“I’m sure she is.” A smile crossed her face as she said, “I’m really glad things are working out.”
“Me, too.”
We continued on with our small talk, and it wasn’t long before Remington hit me with a question I didn’t expect. “So, be honest. How is it bartending at Stilettos?”
“Just like anywhere else, I guess. The tips are great, like really great.” I shrugged and smiled as I added, “And I get to see Rafe from time to time, so that’s an added bonus.”
Remington leaned in with a goofy smile. “So, you don’t get weirded out working around all the boobs?”
After laughing for a moment, I took a drink to clear my throat, then replied, “I’ll admit, it took some getting used to, but honestly, it’s not that bad. And I’m hoping to be moved to the office once I get my degree. That way I’ll be able to help Menace with some of the bookkeeping and inventory.”
“Oh, yeah. I forgot about you going back to school. How are your classes going so far?”
“Pretty good, actually. It took me a little bit to get back in the swing of things, but I’m getting there.”
“And Rafe?” Delilah smiled wide. “How are things going with him?”
I couldn’t keep myself from smiling as I replied, “Rafe is great. Really great.”
“And how are you adjusting to being over at his place?”
“Pretty good, I guess.” Over the past few months, I’d spent more time at Rafe’s than I had at my apartment. I told myself it was just because it was easier, that his house was closer to campus and to work, but I knew it was more than that. I liked it there. No, I loved it there. For the first time, I felt like I was where I belonged—like I was finally home, and I owed all that to Rafe. But that didn’t mean it was all sunshine and butterflies. “It’s taken some getting used to.”
“Um-hmm.” Delilah looked over to Remington and put her hands up like she was putting my words in quotations as she giggled and repeated, “It’s taking ‘some getting used to’.”
“Yeah, I bet.” Remington took a long drink of her whiskey sour, then muttered, “There are things I’m still trying to ‘get used to’ with Noah.”
“Oh, really?”
“Absolutely.” Remington didn’t hold back as she told me, “Let’s just say the reality of living with someone, especially a man, is much more difficult than people let on.”
Delilah nodded. “Yeah, it’s nothing like they make it out in all the movies. They never show you how the men we love so dearly leave the toilet seat up and just toss their dirty laundry on the floor.”
“Oh my God! The whole dirty laundry thing completely baffles me.” I threw my hands up as I fussed, “I mean, the hamper is right there ... It’s two feet away, and yet he just leaves his pile of dirty clothes on the floor.”
“Girl, we know! It’s a constant battle,” Delilah replied with a shake of her head. “Oh, and the muddy boots. If Zander tracks mud through the house one more time, I’m going to throw his boots out into the front yard!”