Page 72 of Mr. July

She didn’t quite meet his eye. “I can handle all the dogs in here. Even the two-legged ones.”

“Baby. It’s not what you thought. I told you.”

Char crossed her arms; her jaw was tight. In that moment she was so much just like her twin. “Where are you off to in such a rush anyway?”

I grinned. “Do you really want to know?”

She blushed. “Big mouth over there will talk anyway.”

“My best friend’s wedding… and date number five or is it six with your brother. He counts literally everything as a date.

“So, it’s the big one.”

Hunter walked over with Princess. “He likes to be in control. Don’t let it freak you out.”

“Are you giving her sex tips on my brother?” Char put a hand on her hip.

“I have some for you too, doll.”

“Ugh! I hate you!” She threw her hands in the air, walked over to one of the dog’s cages and took them out.

“What did you do?” I hissed.

“Made her scream my name under the pier.”

“Then what happened?”

“My ex was at Kokomo’s. The beach grill bar a few days ago. She was drunk, cornered me when I left Char to use the men’s. I came back smelling like perfume and heartache. My ex followed me to our table hysterical, talking all kinds of nonsense. Char left, thinks I can’t commit. That she’s just the next in line to get hurt by me.”

“Is she?”

He snorted. “That girl’s been it for me since 2010.”

“Then go get her, big guy. Well, that is if Princess allows it.”

“I’m serious. This baby is coming home with Daddy.”

I rolled my eyes. “Ever had a cat before?”

“Fuck, no. My parents thought pets were filthy furballs. She’s my first.”

“You’ll never forget her then.” Char snapped.

“…and I’m leaving. Here are the keys and the list of instructions Steve always has on hand. Emergency Vet’s number is on it.”

The tension was thick between them. Princess hissed at Char as she brushed past them. I wondered if Hunter’s new cat was going to do the job Chase was so good at—keeping them apart.

“You look… hotter than a gator sunning itself in tar.”

She was right. I’d never felt or looked sexier. My skin was sloughed with a sugar scrub. I didn’t even care three strange women had seen all my lady bits. Kells had told them I was also getting laid for the first time on her wedding night. The women giggled treating me like the second bride. I had my first French mani and pedi. My hoo-ha was waxed bare. It hurt and I was told no sex for a few days. But Kells said to apply coconut oil to speed things up. Chase would be here tomorrow evening giving me plenty of time to pamper Kells while getting to know her husband to be.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you.” Kells leaned in close, glass of her virgin drink in hand. “Sienna and Wade are done. She met the governor’s son at the fancy country club Wade’s family belongs to. Dumped Wade cold the second she had her talons into her new mark.”

“How did you find this out?”

“Rachel’s sister is a waitress there. Member gossip is the talk of the staff.”

“I almost feel bad for Wade.”

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