Page 25 of Hard to Judge

She gives me a sharply hiked brow in answer while Arlo chuckles at my attempt.

“Fine, a simple and safe hetero relationship with a well-bred Japanese woman.” I snatch Arlo’s cone from his hand, bite half off, then give it back. “How’s that?” I ask neither and both of them at the same time around the decidedly delicious treat.

Hailey’s gaze goes into overdrive, flying between Arlo and me, before settling on my lips as I lick them. She snags the bottom of hers between her teeth for a second. “I thought you were into men and women.”

“I am.” Two very specific ones at the moment. One for all my moments.

Damn him.

“Why go into something when you know it’s destined to fail?” she asks, finishing her dessert.

“We need to get you in the ring. You don’t pull any punches,” I say, rubbing my chest.

“Her impact is deadly accurate too.” Arlo sighs. “Similar to someone else’s.” He eyes me.

When she tosses her cup and spoon and returns with as much conviction in her hiked brow as Coco did at landing a double spin jump thingy, it’s my turn to sigh.

“I wanted a family.”Want.“Despite my less-than-ideal upbringing, I wanted to create a family of my own.” I rub at the old pain in the center of my chest. “One that I could love unconditionally, who would love me the same in return.”

“It’s a perfect want.” Hailey smiles sweetly, a little somberly.

“For some, yes.” I nod and then bob one shoulder. “For others, it’s an impossibility.”

“Just because it didn’t work with one person doesn’t mean it couldn’t work with others.” Hailey uses the plural. I don’t takethat to heart. I don’t take it as anything but hopeful blather from a drop of sunshine.

If I say anything to that, I’ll slaughter the mood. I bite my tongue.

“If only he could find a respectable woman who isn’t afraid of his cock.” Arlo doesn’t have quite the trouble with words.

“She was not,” Hailey scoffs.

“Was so.” Arlo chuckles. “One look and she ran for the hills.”

“I hate to speak ill of a woman I don’t know, but…” Hailey tosses her hair over her shoulder. “What a pussy.”

“You do, though.” I let my smile slip.

“I do what?” She points at herself. “I’ve never encountered a cock I can’t handle.”

I choke on nothing at all except Hailey’s ballsy words.

“That’s what you get for smiling.” Arlo pokes his elbow into my side.

He’s touched me more tonight than he has since that fucking Christmas at Willoughby Ridge.

I love it too much. I love being in the center of their intimate circle. It’s a scary place to adore because it’s theirs. Not mine.

“You know her,” I divert. “She’s your new language teacher.”

“Mio?” Hailey gasps. Arlo nods. “Of course, it didn’t work with her.” Hailey’s hands flail about. “She’s stunning and perfect. Too perfect.”

“Don’t worry about my ego there, sunshine,” I rib.

“If your ego is as big as your, apparently frightening, cock, then I think you’re okay.” Her head shakes, mussing her hair. “You need a woman rough around the edges, dirtied up a bit. A woman who’s seen things. Lived. Loved. Lost.” She grabs Arlo’s hand and pulls it to her lips. “Who’s learned how to love again.”

“That’s, ah, very specific.” I smirk to hide my discomfort.

“Hailey knows what she’s talking about. She’s a professional.” Arlo winks at me.

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