Page 28 of Under the Influence

Edith exhales softly. “My shoulders aren’t holding the same weight as yours are. I don’t have any excuse for getting agitated like you do, but I’m lonely. It’s made me jealous and bitter. I begrudged Tuesday’s happiness. I pitched a fit when Ike found his dream girl. She was barely an adult and already set with her guy. Meanwhile, no one wanted me.”

“Plenty of men want you. Trust me,” I say, glancing around at the restaurant, where even guys on dates have taken notice of Edith’s beauty. “They just weren’t right for you.”

“That’s what everyone said, but I worried I’d accidentally pushed away my dream guy and would be alone forever. Then, I saw you and got upset because I instantly felt like you weren’t going to like me.”

“Well, you were wrong. Of course, I wish I had been in a better mood that day,” I explain before shrugging. “Then again, could I put my best moves in play when your dad and brother were nearby?”

“No, they wouldn’t have liked that. But I would have protected you,” Edith says and kisses my cheek. “I am semi-skilled in the art of karate. Oh, and I was packing a water pistol that day in case one of your club guys hassled me, but they were well-behaved.”

“I lectured them hard,” I say, smiling at the thought of her squirting the meatheads. “They also seemed to respond to Val’s bonding attempts.”

Edith must hear something in my tone because she offers me a soft kiss. If everything was as simple as holding her in my arms and enjoying this heat between us, I’d never worry again.

But as soon as the food arrives and I need to offer her space, I feel like a different man sinking under the weight of too much change happening too soon.

EDITH, AKA EDIE HAS TRUST ISSUES

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My brain won’t stay screwed on right. Lust whips through my body, leaving me rattled. On dates with other men, all this touching would be a huge no-no. With a sexy beast like Duke, I only want to get closer.

“Are you named after a family member?” Duke asks as he slides his arm around my shoulders and plays with my hair.

“No, why?”

“It’s a grandma name.”

Frowning at his tone, I explain, “Otto asked for me to be named after a singer his meemaw liked.”

“Do you like your name?”

“I like how I got it,” I say and stroke his jaw. “You’re a great guy, Duke, but I refuse to go by Edie. If that’s a dealbreaker, I’ll find a way to move on.”

Duke chuckles. “Bullshit.”

“How do you figure?”

“You’re not dumping me if I start calling you Edie.”

“I might.”

“No,” he says and slides his fingers down my arm. “I won’t accept you’re so fickle. I’m acting like a lovestruck bitch right now. If you aren’t completely in this with me, I’m leaving now.”

“No.”

Duke smiles. “We’re both full of shit.”

“I’m not weak,” I say and grip his hand. “If you cheat or dump me, I will very likely burn your house to the ground.”

“I never cheat,” Duke says as if stating a fact. “But don’t burn down my house. Clover will get upset if her stuff is gone. Better to destroy my motorcycle or the clubhouse.”

I smile at how he’s protective of his daughters, not his things.

“Are you easygoing?” I ask, struggling to read him.

“God no, but I try to only worry about what is worth worrying about.”

“Are you worried about me?”

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