Page 84 of Desperate Haste

“Thank you, you as well,” Alice replies cordially.

“Uhh, hello? What about me?” I whine, catching their attention.

“Ehh, you’re alright I guess.” Ophelia shrugs and turns her lip up at me.

“I remember you singing a different tune last night while we?—”

“Alright, that’s enough of that.” She stops me, holding up a hand. A hand that now adorns a simple metal band that’s been sized to fit her middle finger. How fitting.

She rolls her eyes at me with a huff and turns back to Alice. “We’re all good for brunch this weekend?”

“Yep! Our guest chef has confirmed and is excited to be here.”

“Amazing, you rock, Alice. If you need anything at all, just call me.”

“And please don’t call me as it’s my weekend off,” I remind her with a grin.

“Will do. Have fun tonight. Malcolm, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yep, I’ll see you tomorrow,” I call out as Ophelia and I head for the front door. Once outside, I grab her by the wrist and pull her towards the back door where no one can see us. Her eyes are wide with surprise as I press her against the wall, pinning her arms down by her sides.

“You don’t really think I’m justalright, do you?” I growl close to her lips. The corner of her mouth twitches and I can tell she’s trying not to crack a smile.

“Hmmm, I would say you’re slightly better than ‘alright’ but just below ‘perfectly adequate.’” Her voice drips with tease and she starts to laugh hysterically when I bring my mouth to her throat and playfully nip at her.

“I’ll show you ‘perfectly adequate,’ little fox. You just wait until I get you home tonight and you won’t be able to remember your words because I fucked them straight out of you.”

She barks out another laugh. “I’d love to see you try.”

I pull away from her now and look into her brown eyes that have a new twinkle to them that I haven’t seen before. “You drive me crazy. You know that, right?”

“I know. But you know who else drives you crazy?”

“Who?”

“Conrad when you’re late to game night and right now, we’re both well on our way to a tongue lashing from him. Let’s go, pretty boy.”

* * *

“Ahhhh!”Bailey shrieks when we walk in and she sees Ophelia trailing behind me. The way she runs down the hall towards her friend would lead you to believe they haven’t seen one another in years when I know for a fact they had their weekly brunch together just this past weekend. “I’m so happy you’re here!”

“I’m so happy to be here.” Ophelia squeezes her back before leaning over and giving Magnolia a hug as well. We’re all standing in the dining room just off the kitchen. Kolbi and Hank are standing at the bar opening their beers and Conrad is sitting at the table setting up.

“Now we just need to get Margaret here,” Magnolia sings. The three of them turn and stare at Conrad who doesn’t seem to notice for a moment. When he does, he drops his shoulders and looks at them through squinted eyes.

“Why are you looking at me?”

“Why aren’t you bringing Margaret to game night?” Bailey interrogates.

“Whywould I bring her to game night? I don’t like that all of you are here, let alone adding a fourth. This is supposed to be boys’ night, need I remind everyone of that?” he laments with his arms out to his sides.

Magnolia lets out a sigh. “Why are boys so dumb?”

“Truly, they would be a lost species without us.” Bailey groans.

“We’ll just let them keep thinking they’re in control. Makes ‘em feel good,” Ophelia finishes, giving me a wink.

“Princess, I know damn well who’s in charge and I’m happy to keep it that way.” I loop an arm around her curved waist and pull her into my side. She gives me a cocky grin before I press my lips to hers in front of everyone in the room.

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