Page 165 of Dark Endures

But a kiss or two more won’t hurt anything. “No funny business.” I wink at her and walk away to get ready for bed…aka soon to be the most torturously blissful night of my life.

There needs to be two rings on her finger soon.

Very soon.

I beat Mindy into the bed. There’s no point in trying to fall asleep until she’s settled by my side.

The lasting effects from the events of today are going to be a challenge to untangle us from. It’s going to take a better strategic mind than my own to find a way out of this. I need to call Ethan in as soon as we get back. He’ll know how we deal with Filmore’s claim.

Mindy steps out of the bathroom, turning off the light behind her. It’s the middle of winter, and she brought a silk short set to wear to bed.

Women make no sense.

None at all.

But it sure is cute to look at.

“How are you feeling?” I lift the blankets for her to slide in.

“Like I was run over by a truck and then they backed over me for good measure.” She carefully climbs in, pulling the blankets over her. “I’m sorry about today.”

“Why are you sorry?” The inner workings of her mind confuse me almost as much as those smiles delight me.

“Because all of this.” She circles her hand around. “We’re new. You don’t need to see how dramatic my life can be. And this is the happy part. When they break up…” She shakes her head.

If they break up. “We’ll deal with it together. Maybe get your mom some therapy.”

“If you could get my mom into therapy...” She shakes her head. “Thank you.”

“No thank yous needed. Just being part of your life is all the reward I’ll ever need.”

Mindy's lips form a cute little O as she leans forward.

I could kiss her. But the one thing better than kissing Mindy is having her kiss me. I lean forward and wait for her to give in and do just that.

Watching the expressions on her face change from excitement to frustration to determination is almost the most fun I’ve had today.

“You could help with this.”

She’s adorable when she’s frustrated. “But I’m not.”

“Fine. Then I’ll just do it myself.”

She shoves her hands in my hair, and all the laughter fades away.

“No, funny business,” Mindy’s lips land on mine.

That’s the hardest promise I’ve ever made to keep…

***

Everything went off without a hitch. As weddings go, this one was flawless. I’m used to more of a wild west kind of feel with all of us pitching in to make it work while we torment thegroom so he doesn’t do something stupid like abscond with the bride before the actual nuptials.

The best part of this evening started twenty minutes ago and will hopefully last for the rest of the night. I pull Mindy closer in my arms as we sway to the music. Some couples are doing a formal waltz. I’m taking advantage of her tired state to hold her close.

If I block out where we are and who we’re with, this moment could be perfect. But sadly, the Linckesters never let that happen. Valen’s steadily approaching us. He’s the one man here today that I will allow to steal a dance with Mindy.

“May I cut in?” Valen asks her, but looks at me.

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