We.
“So we can figure out how to deal with the rest in the morning.”
We.
It was the single most romantic thing anyone had ever said to me.
He was counting twenties when I managed to squeeze the syllable past the lump in my throat.
“We?”
His head popped up, and his face softened when he met my gaze. Three steps and his long legs swallowed the distance between us. When he stopped in front of me, vulnerability flashed in his eyes.
“Depends. Do you want that to be a we?”
I nodded enthusiastically and fought the emotion back as I joked, “I totally meant to include rescuing Robin from drug lords when I told you all the things I wanted with you. It must have slipped my mind.”
He chuckled and looped an arm around my waist. With a tug, he pulled me against his chest and dropped his forehead to mine. “Then yeah, Henry. It’s a we.”
“Okay,” I breathed, unable to utter anything else.
He squatted an inch to bring our eyes level. “Now, you gonna give me any more shit about staying here while I go get her?”
I shook my head and smiled weakly. “Nope.”
His hand drifted down to my ass, where he dug my wallet out of my back pocket while gratuitously groping me.
Smirking, he lifted my wallet into view. “How much cash you got? I need to get out of here”—he paused to brush his lips across mine—“so I can hurry up and get back.”
I was terrified to fly.
But, right then, wrapped in his arms, Evan made me soar.
Minutes later, he left.
But, for the first time in my life, I didn’t feel alone.
“Cookie!” Robin cried as she rushed through Evan’s front door. Her long, black hair blew behind her as she sprinted into my arms. She was all of five foot one and maybe a hundred pounds, but her tiny body still managed to rock me back a step when she slammed into me.
Loud sobs ravaged her as she buried her face into me.
“I’m so sorry.”
My bones ached to tell her that everything was okay, but that was exactly why we were in this situation to begin with. Clearing my throat, I bent to kiss the top of her head.
“You fucked up, kid.”
“I know. God. I’m so sorry. It won’t happen again.”
Gripping her shoulders, I pushed her away from me. “Yes. It will. And, every time I bail you out, it basically ensures that it will happen again.”
She adamantly shook her head as tears streamed from her dark-brown eyes. “No! I’m serious this time. I’m done.” Fighting my grip off, she buried her face back into my chest and continued to cry.
Profuse apologies rolled from her mouth. Those I believed. The promises that she’d quit were a different story though. I’d heard those lies a million times. And, if history was any kind of indicator, I’d hear them all a million more.
I glanced up and found Evan standing in the doorway with his shoulder leaning against the jamb and a hand shoved in his pocket.
“Thank you,” I mouthed.
He nodded and offered me a smile.
“He’s”—she sniffled—“hot.” She didn’t even attempt to be quiet.
I chuckled and held Evan’s eyes as I replied, “He is.”
“He like men?” she asked.
“Uhh…” I bit my lip and popped my eyebrows at him in question.
He laughed and rolled his eyes as he became unstuck from the door. After sauntering over to me, he stepped to my side, brushed a kiss across my jaw, and then replied, “I like one.”
My heart seized. Those three magic words spoke to my soul.
Who needed love when you were the only exception?
I was still making dreamy eyes at Evan when his front door flew open. We all jumped. I squeezed Robin tight, and Evan quickly stepped in front of us.
“Where is she!” a deep, gravelly voice I barely recognized rumbled.
Robin went solid in my arms, but my body slacked.
“Jesus Christ, Carter. Can we maybe chill with the Incredible Hulk act?”
“She’s fine,” Evan announced, stepping aside to reveal her tucked against my chest.
Carter’s nostrils flared as scary muscles ticked on his neck and his jaw.
He strode across the room. “Let go of him,” he growled.
She shook her head and squeezed me tighter.
“Robin, I’m not asking again.”
She squeaked but didn’t reply.
I shot Carter a puzzled look he failed to notice through his palpable anger.
“Did you call him?” she accused into my chest.
“Well…yeah.” I bulged my eyes at Evan, who was watching the whole interaction equally as perplexed.
“Why?” she whined.
I had opened my mouth to answer, but Carter got there first.
“Okay, I’m done.” He bent down and scooped her off her feet. “Let’s go.”
“Carter! Put me down,” she protested.
“Hey! Where are you taking her?” Evan shot in front of him, clearly concerned that Carter was caveman-carrying a woman from his house.