Evans scoffs loudly at me, mouth falling open in betrayal.

I can’t believe you, he mouths to me.

“All right,” I announce, glancing at my phone to check the time. “I’m late to meet Alyson for lunch.”

Somehow everything feels like a drag to get through until I get to see Kayden. It’s odd to feel like this about a guy again, and I don’t know if I like it or not. Feeling like you’re being consumed by one person feels great—sensational, even—but also dangerous at the same time.

Evans folds his arms over the table, laying his head over them and looking up at me casually. “Oooh, besties with the stepmom now?”

“Not really.” I shrug. “But she’s actually not that bad.”

It’s true. Ever since the bridesmaids’ fitting a week ago, I’ve tried to make a habit of helping Alyson out with small bridesmaid duty stuff, like helping her purchase decorative items for the reception and picking out wedding shoe options. It’s the only way I know how to bond with her, since we’re still only a foot deep into this friendship, but it surprises me that I genuinely enjoy talking to her, which makes me certain that our upcoming lunch appointment will be a breeze to get through.

I bid good-bye to my friends, already making my way to the bus stop where Alyson will be picking me up. But before I get too far down the walkway, I hear Cara racing toward me, her heels clicking fast against the hard pavement.

“Hey, Sienna,” she says, a little out of breath. She clutches her folders tightly to her chest. “I just wanna say that I’m happy that you and Kayden are together. It’s way overdue at this point.”

“Thanks,” I say warily, wondering if she ran all the way here just to say that to me. “I guess.”

“But . . .” She’s quiet for a moment, hesitating. “I just hope you know what you’re doing. Brent told me about your two-person fight club against your ex-boyfriend and it just got me a little worried.” She drags a hand through her thick strawberry-blond hair, face growing serious. “Kayden seems like a genuinely good guy. And I know you mean well. I just don’t want to see anyone hurt because of this.”

Her advice makes me frown slightly. I guess I hadn’t thought about what happens with the underground now that me and Kayden are romantically involved. We were so wrapped up in each other this weekend I didn’t really want to deal with it.

But Kayden and I are professionals. I’m sure we’ll be able to work it out. As far as I know, the deal between us still stands.

“Relax. I think it’ll be fine.” I reassure her with a laugh to ease the mood. “Don’t worry about it, Cara.”

“All right,” she says unconvincingly. “If you say so.”

I watch her walk away from me, and when I reach the bus stop and wait for Alyson to pick me up, I can’t help repeating her words in my head.

***

Lunch with Alyson was great. It ran a little longer than I had anticipated since neither of us really wanted to end our conversation. I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun on one of these obligatory get to know your future stepmother lunch dates that were typically orchestrated by my father—but this time, the conversation felt light and natural.

I get what my father sees in Alyson. She’s so genuine in the way that she holds herself and cares for others that it’s difficult not to like her. She’s also an eager listener, prodding me about school and my job, and even taking the time to learn more about MMA before our lunch so she could better understand me and what I do. I didn’t have the heart to tell her when she started going on a tangent about the latest UFC fight that I didn’t even catch the match.

Afterwards, since I had time to spare, we spent the next few hours doing some shopping. I helped Alyson pick out a cute headpiece to go with her wedding dress. We ended up staying in the boutique until closing time since neither of us could make up our minds between the celestial crystal headpiece or the baroque tiara. Alyson caved and bought both anyway, deciding that she was just going to wing it and make a decision on the day itself.

Later, I had her drop me off at UFG. I promised Kayden I’d check up on how he’s doing. Finals are next week—much closer than I realized with all that’s been going on—and I’m starting to feel really antsy. But when I breeze through the doors of the gym, the feeling recedes once I spot my two favorite guys battling it out in the cage.

I watch as Julian and Kayden fight each other expertly, challenging each other with a series of moves and countermoves that leaves them both frustrated and breathless. After a series of skillful grapples, Kayden manages to pin Julian in an immovable lock, forcing Julian to give up.

Kayden climbs off his trainer and pumps one first into the air, letting out a victorious roar.

The laugh that escapes me unintentionally announces my presence in the gym and Kayden’s attention immediately whips to me, a beautiful, excited smile forming on his face.

He scrambles out of the cage, pulling off his MMA gloves, and with little effort sweeps me up in his huge arms and spins me around, exhilaration bursting out of him.

When he puts me down, warm lips brush against mine in greeting and I smile against them, winding my arms around his body. He tastes salty from the sweat, but I don’t mind it one bit.

“Hey, Lucky,” he breathes, hands sliding down to pinch my butt. I make a weird squeak that I’ve never once heard myself make and slap his hand away playfully.

In the cage, Julian just stands there, both arms resting on his hips as he shakes his head.

“Nauseating. That’s what you both are,” he grumbles.

Kayden laughs, a deep husky rumble that tickles my core.

Tags: Claudia Tan Perfect Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net