Page 12 of Wild Card

This time my chest aches and protective instincts kick in. She has been through the fucking wringer and come out strongerthan ever. And it didn’t pass without some scars. Mainly Rowan’s guilt.

Guilt she has no right to hold on to.

Ford was already protective, but now he’s a beast. And if he knew she was standing here in tears, he’d lose his mind.

“Hollywood, I’m good.”

Her mouth slips into a sad smile at the use of her nickname.

“Does Whitman know you’re here?”

“He will.”

“Meaning you didn’t tell him, but he’ll track your phone?”

“Something like that.”

“Then I have to deal with his cranky ass bitching because he realizes you love me more?”

This earns me a genuine smile. “He’ll get over it.” She wiggles her ring finger.

“Get to your salon and save us both the headache.”

She peeks over her shoulder at the building and then back at me. “Since I’m here, might as well get you checked in.” Without waiting for my reply, she loops her hand through my elbow and jerks me forward.

“Does anyone ever tell you no?”

“All the time. Yesterday, Cruz was critical of every idea I mentioned.”

Cruz is a relatively new addition to our group. Rowan lived with him and his partner, Alex, for a brief time before Ford convinced her to move into the house with us.

Cruz and his cousin, Ember, own an upscale formalwear store in town. Ember is creating a custom wedding dress for Rowan, and Cruz has taken the unofficial role as the wedding planner.

Outside of a small business owner, he’s also a lawyer. From tuxedos to contracts, Cruz’s expertise is limitless.

“What ideas?”

“Plunging necklines, high slits, things like that.”

“Do I want to know?”

“I found a beautiful bridesmaid’s dress, but he said the neckline was too deep for Jewls to wear because of the size of her breasts after the twins. He also said Harley would pop out and he didn’t want to deal with Ace’s barbarian tantrum. The other dress had a slit on the side that was sexy but tasteful. At this option, he declared he didn’t want to deal with every man’s wrath.”

I barely hear her over the ringing in my ears after Jewls’ breast comment. “I didn’t want to know.”

She laughs, stepping aside so I can open the door, but still keeps a hold on me.

“You gonna let me go so I can check in?”

“Yep, I’ll wait here.” She drops her arm and looks around. “Is this the same place as before?”

“Same group, different location.”

I leave her, going to the registration desk and immediately noting the way the woman eyes me as I approach.

“Talon Simms,” I announce, fishing my license and insurance card out of my wallet for her.

She takes them, continuing to gape until the girl next to her nudges her arm. Heat fills her cheeks as she fumbles to scan the cards and read through her screen. “I-i-is your address the same?”

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