Tory shrugged and toyed with the lip of her cup. “I’ve always imagined a relationship like what my Nana and Grandpa had. Falling in love and having kids, then living all happily-ever-after.”
“You can have that with Devon and Con. It’ll be difficult, but what relationship is easy?”
Tory frowned. “This isn’t just difficult. This is a mess.”
“You’ve been miserable ever since you left them. I know what that feels like, and it’s no fun.”
“You mean because after Seth died you were miserable?”
“Seth’s death devastated me. I didn’t think I’d get through it. With the help of friends, I did. But that’s not what I mean.”
“Then what?” The towel on her head slipped to the side, so she yanked it off and threw it over the chair next to her.
“Gage. He and I spent some really wonderful nights together. I felt guilty, like I was betraying Seth somehow. It wasn’t until Gage went back to Ohio that I realized I didn’t want to live without him. I didn’t want to admit it, not even to myself, but Gage had slipped under my radar. I fell in love with him and it scared me. That fear, had I let it, could’ve ruined my second chance at happiness. Don’t let fear ruin this chance, Tory. Talk to Devon and Con. Tell them how you feel.”
Tory stared at her tea, mulling over Summer’s words. “I don’t know, Summer. I’m so scared.”
“What do you really have to lose?”
“What will people think? What will my parents think?”
Summer waved the words away. “I’ve met your parents. They’re going to have a hard time at first. But they’ll adjust. They only want to see you happy, and you know it. Stop making excuses.”
“You’re right, I am making excuses.”
Summer started to speak, but the doorbell rang. She quirked a brow and said, “I bet I know who that is.”
Tory’s stomach bottomed out. “They’re done waiting on me to come to them.”
“Go to them, sweetie. Be honest with them. Be honest with yourself. It’ll work out, you’ll see.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“You’ll come to me and we’ll cry together.”
“Thanks, Summer. I really don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Back atcha, babe.” Summer winked as she stood. “'I'll let myself out the back door.”
It’d been too long. Devon had waited by the phone, willing it to ring. Willing the woman of his dreams to call and put him out of his torment. He’d gone over their night together in minute detail. Her expressive blue eyes, petite, curvy body and that tight little ass. He’d never been so obsessed with a woman. Now, as he saw her with her hair damp, her face free of makeup, and wearing a tight pair of grey shorts and a cute little white tank, Devon’s cock swelled and hardened. He had to shift on his feet to keep his dick from feeling strangled. Glancing over at Con, Devon saw the same raw need. The same desperate hunger. The past two days had been hell for the both of them.
“We wanted to know if you’ve made a decision yet.”
Devon had tried to stay away. He’d had every intention of waiting for her. But frustration won out. He needed to know if she was going to cut them loose or give them a chance to have something more, something beautiful. Of course, his dick just wanted another shot at paradise. And there was no reasoning with it, either. He’d stayed semi-hard since dropping Tory off after the party.
She motioned them inside. “Thought you two were going to give me time to think? What happened to that?”
Devon entered the small living room, Con came in behind him. “We gave you exactly two days, five hours and…” Con checked his watch, then looked back up at her. “Thirteen minutes.”
“Gee, thanks for the update,” Tory said, as she toyed with the hem of her tank. This close, Devon could smell her clean scent, as well as that damn coconut shampoo she was so fond of. She crossed her legs at the ankles, and Devon barely contained a groan. God, she looked good. The dressed-up version was downright edible. But the fresh-from-a-shower look was freaking delicious.
“You look good, baby,” Con growled. “Real good.”
He saw Tory’s eyes light with humor. She was so pretty when she smiled. It’d been way too long since he’d seen her smile. “I look awful, but thanks.” She started to fidget. As if trying to figure out how to tell him the bad news? Or was it good news.
“I’ve always found the direct approach works best, sugar.” Devon forced a note of lightheartedness into his voice. A lightheartedness he wasn’t even close to feeling at that moment.
Tory shrugged, then blurted, “I’m willing.”