Page 172 of Wild Card

“Am I missing something?”

“Honey, I’ll explain later. But for now, just mourn the loss of Will’s only retail obsession.” Bex talks gently with sympathy.

“No need to dwell, we will go on a replacement mission. You’ll have a new collection in no time.”

I smile at my grandma’s cheery optimism.

“Well, at least Talon doesn’t have too much to move.”

I swing my head to my brother. “What did you say?”

“Considering you’re moving in, there’s not too much to haul over there.”

“I am not moving in with him.”

A quietness settles in the room, and my grandma is the first to break it with a muffled laugh.

“Squeak,” my brother’s eyes light with hilarity, “you know how you were the last to know about Bex and me? Don’t be clueless.”

“I’m not moving in with him.”

Bex vibrates against me. “Willow, it’s already happened. You’re meeting his parents this weekend. Stop fighting it.”

“Well, shit.” Apparently, I am the last to know.

25

TALON

“You gonna finishup in there tonight? Or should I order a pizza?”

When there is no answer, I tap on the door. “Lo, let’s get a move on.”

More silence.

“Princess?” I jiggle the handle, finding it locked.

“I’m not feeling well,” she calls through the door.

Lynden and Chase both warned me Willow was going through the motions, but as the afternoon wore on, her anxiety seeped in. I wanted her family here tonight, but Rosie declined for everyone.

She insisted this was something Willow needed to get through.

“You don’t feel well, we’ll call off dinner.”

“No! You can go without me.”

There’s noise behind the door, and I give her a full minute before picking the lock.

She jumps a foot in the air when it swings open. “What are you doing?!?”

The ringing in my ears isn’t caused by her loud shriek; it’s because all my blood rushes to my dick at the sight before me.

Willow’s dark hair hangs in a wave of curls, her eyes lined with a goldish sparkle that highlights the shade of her irises, her lips shimmering. My eyes travel over the dress that hugs her body.

Absolutely fucking stunning.

“What are you doing!” she repeats.

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