“She’s afraid of us?” Aro asks, leaning forward like he’s offended someone would feel that way.
“She’s been through a lot,” I remind him. “She wants to feel safe.”
“Apparently, thinking she’d have to stay on the property is what has delayed her coming since her abduction,” Legend continues. “Emmalyn asked Harley if it was okay if she stays at his house since he’s still here at the clubhouse with Aria.”
I haven’t gotten any of these details from Grace, but we don’t exactly talk much when we’re alone. Our bed has gotten quite the workout since we got back from Denver. It’s like we’re in a rush to make up for all the lost time. I’m on her every second I can manage. Plus, we’ve been working a lot since all the holidays are over.
“That doesn’t make sense,” Aro argues.
“It makes perfect sense.”
“Harley is here, and she’ll be there.”
“And she’s going to be working at the daycare.”
“Still not following your train of thought,” Aro says, leaning back in his chair, disbelief on his face.
“She’s going to be helping with Aria. He’s going to return to work eventually,” Legend continues. “When has close proximity ever ended in anything but love?”
“It ends in murder more often,” Spade explains.
“He just lost his wife,” I remind him. “I don’t imagine he’s going to be ready for anything anytime soon.”
“Have any of us been ready for love?” Legend asks. “We can’t control that shit. I got hit with the beginning of it the second I saw Faith walk out of Kincaid’s house. Apollo knew when April showed up needing his help. It just hits you. I’m not saying he’s going to ever forget Lana. We all know that will never happen, and it may take a while. I’m not saying he’s going to be professing his love within two weeks of seeing her.”
“Don’t look at me,” I snap when he cocks an eyebrow at me. “Grace and I had history. We just needed to be reminded of our feelings.”
Legend chuckles, telling me he’s just giving me a hard time. Other people’s happiness around here isn’t frowned upon, despite the other guys sitting in front of us that look like they smell something nasty. I chuckle, knowing I thought the exact same way not long ago.
“He could be right,” Apollo agrees. “But I think it’s going to take a very long time in any case.”
“Thank fuck,” Spade hisses. “The longer it takes Harley, the more time we have before we end up succumbing.”
Aro jerks away when Spade smacks him in the arm in comradery.
“Don’t even look at me. Never, and I mean never going to happen to me.”
All of us guys in relationships chuckle because we understand just how wrong he is. Resisting it for a while may work, but eventually they’ll all end up just as ensnared with someone as we are.
“What the fuck are you assholes talking about?” Ugly asks as he enters the garage, grabbing a beer from the fridge before sitting down.
“Who’s next to fall in love,” I answer, since he wasn’t here to undergo Legend’s scrutiny as he was figuring out who to name as the next to fall.
Ugly’s face screws up in distaste. “Won’t be me.”
“Maybe,” I argue, wanting to give him a hard time.
I know exactly where they’re at in their heads right now. I spent the majority of my adult life feeling the same way.
“It’s gonna be Harley,” Ugly says after a long pull from his beer.
Legend points to him, acknowledging that he’s not the only one to think that way.
“What?” Ugly snaps. “That Alyssa girl is coming later today. She’s going to be living in his house and taking care of the baby.”
“Exactly,” Legend says.
Slick stands up, shaking her head. “I want Harley to be happy as much as the next person, but you guys are fucking idiots.”
No one says a word until she’s gone.
“I’m not wrong about Harley, but maybe I got the girl wrong,” Legend says.
“It’s not going to be Slick,” Aro hisses, and I don’t know how to read his sudden irritation.
“Only time will tell,” I say, lifting my beer to my lips and wondering how long I have to wait until I can toss Grace on the bed and make her scream my name.
THE END