Page 79 of Relinquish

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m good.” Yesterday, I spoke with Truman about going out in the field more. He understands my reservations and is willing to ease me back into the saddle.

The squeaking of the door signals Stella’s awareness of our presence. “Are you two going to put on a show for the neighborhood? Or are you coming inside?”

I wink at Lola and twist to face Stella. “We were on our way.”

Stella smiles and opens her arms. “Come here and give me a hug. I missed you.”

“I was only gone a few days.”

“A few days too many. You know I worry.” She beckons me forward with her hands.

“So, it runs in the family?” Lola chuckles.

“Yes, it does.” I lace my fingers through hers and tug her forward.

Stella embraces me, pats my back, and steps in front of Lola. “Let me get a good look at you.” She tilts her head and tsks. “Sarah was right. You’re gorgeous.”

She blushes. “Thank you.”

“Let’s get this awkward first meeting out of the way.” Stella’s eyes twinkle as she holds her arms open.

Lola raises her eyebrows, and I press my lips together. “Do it. She won’t let you leave until it happens. She might be tiny, but like you, she’s a powerhouse.”

She nods and steps into Stella’s embrace. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, dear,” Stella says.

“Thank you.” Lola shudders. “Thank you for being there for Cade.”

“Oh.” Stella waves her hand in front of her face as tears glisten in her eyes. “This is it, isn’t it?”

“What?” Lola pulls back and looks at her in confusion.

“You’re it.” She clasps Lola’s face and stares at her with adoration. “You love my boy.”

“Yes, I do.” Her eyes skate to me. “He’s a wonderful man, and I love him.” She winks at me. “And not only because he rescued me from a kidnapper. He has other redeeming qualities, as well.”

Stella squeezes her cheeks. “And she has a sense of humor.” She steps back and drops her arms to her sides. “Let’s go inside. I want to hear everything. How you met. When you realized you were in love. All about this kidnapping.” She darts her attention to me. “Which you didn’t tell me about, and I had to hear about it from Tyrone.”

“I was busy.” I hold the door open for them and follow them into the living room.

“Have a seat.” Stella motions to the sofa. “You two can sit together. I’ll take the recliner.”

After we’re seated, we relay the events of the last few weeks, highlighting how we met, our butting heads over control issues, the trip to New York, and her kidnapping and subsequent rescue.

Stella taps her fingernails on the arm of the chair. “You two have been busy. I’m so glad everything turned out. Not that I would worry if Cade were involved. He’s always been a rescuer.”

“Yeah, I sensed that in him the moment we met.” She pats my thigh. “Even though he tried to hide it under layers of assholery.”

“Cute.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders and haul her to my side. I can’t go ten minutes without touching her–work is proving to be a hardship. I enjoy that we have the same employer, but it has its limitations. I can’t drag her into my office and rip her panties off whenever I want. Truman isn’t going to pay me for rocking Lola’s world on the clock.

I bite my bottom lip. Yeah, there have been more than a few times I’ve had to work over to make up for our breaks. I’ll never look at my desk the same way again. Or the file cabinet. Or the elevator. Definitely not the elevator.

“I’m so happy for the two of you.” Stella clasps her hands together in her lap.

“It’s not been easy, and it won’t be. Lola’s family isn’t thrilled with me, and we tend to fight like cats and dogs about some issues.”

“That’s what it’s all about. That passion. The love you have for each other. In time, you’ll learn to work together as a team.” She flushes and licks her lips.

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